Market intelligence · Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Grand Rapids market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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68,717

Children under 5 in the Grand Rapids metro (2023)

+9.9%

Population change, 2018–2023

$80,296

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

−0.4%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MI Metro Area.

What this means for owners

West Michigan's quiet boom.

Grand Rapids grew 9.9% from 2018 to 2023 — faster than any Midwest market we track — while its under-5 count held essentially flat. Household income rose 31% to $80,296.

Growth with stable child counts is the demand mix buyers underwrite for. Michigan comps trade around a 7.0% median cap at just $250 per square foot — real demand at value pricing.

2025 tuition rates · Grand Rapids market

Real rates from Grand Rapids-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$1,585

Median infant rate / mo · Grand Rapids market

$1,297

Median preschool rate / mo · Grand Rapids market

72%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
Tutor Time	Grand Rapids (Old 28th St SE)	$1,541	$1,217	121
Tutor Time	Jenison (Baldwin St)	$1,494	$1,208	163
Childtime	Grand Rapids (E Paris Ave SE)	$1,736	$1,507	—
Childtime	Grand Rapids (52nd St SE)	$1,628	$1,377	—

Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Michigan.

Across our sold-comps database, Michigan childcare properties have typically traded at 7.0–7.3% cap rates, at a median of $250 per square foot, across 9 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 9 Michigan childcare sales (6 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

7.0–7.3%

Typical cap-rate range, MI sales

7.0%

Median sold cap rate, MI

$250

Median price per SF, MI

MI childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

5 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Michigan.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.

What's your Grand Rapids center worth?

An instant, confidential valuation of your business and your property — built on the same data behind this page.

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

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FAQ

Questions from Grand Rapids owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Grand Rapids?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Grand Rapids market, actual rates ran roughly $1,494–$1,736/mo for infants and $1,208–$1,507/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,585 and $1,297. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Michigan?

In our sold-comps dataset of 9 Michigan childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.0%, typically ranging 7.0–7.3%, at a median of $250 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Grand Rapids daycare business worth?

Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.

Who buys childcare centers in West Michigan?

Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.

Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.

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