A viral video criticizing a Minneapolis day care center has ignited a debate over potential fraud within the state’s child care system. The Quality Learning Center, located on Nicollet Avenue, gained notoriety after conservative content creator Nick Shirley highlighted a misspelled sign and alleged irregularities at the facility. His video, posted on December 26, 2022, quickly garnered attention, leading to increased scrutiny from law enforcement and heightened political rhetoric regarding the Somali community.
Shirley’s video included footage of the Quality Learning Center, which he claimed was emblematic of a larger issue within Minnesota’s day care system. He pointed out the sign reading “Quality ‘Learing’ Center,” emphasizing the apparent oversight. “These are not real businesses,” Shirley stated during an interview with CNN’s Whitney Wild. The backlash from the video prompted responses from political figures, including President Donald Trump, who criticized the Somali community in light of the allegations.
Federal law enforcement has been investigating instances of fraud in Minnesota’s child care programs for several years. According to Melinda Williams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, “98 individuals have been charged in our ongoing fraud against the government cases.” Although investigations are ongoing, no fraud charges have been filed against the Quality Learning Center.
Concerns regarding the Quality Learning Center’s operations have been raised previously. The facility is set to receive $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in 2025. Since 2019, it has received nearly $10 million from CCAP. These figures were provided to CNN by the state House Republican Caucus, which has been vocal about potential fraud in day care centers, including the Quality Learning Center.
Investigation and Findings
State officials have conducted inspections of the Quality Learning Center, with the most recent unannounced visit occurring on June 23, 2023. Commissioner Tikki Brown from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families stated that ongoing investigations into several day care centers have not uncovered findings of fraud. “There have been ongoing investigations involving several of those centers. None of those investigations uncovered findings of fraud,” she said.
Despite the absence of fraud allegations, Quality Learning Center has faced scrutiny for numerous licensing violations. State records indicate the facility was cited for 121 violations between May 2022 and June 2023, including ten during the latest inspection. Issues ranged from having unqualified staff to inadequate documentation for children’s medications. While many violations have been addressed, the center’s license has been placed on conditional status due to the serious nature of the findings.
Ibrahim Ali, who identified himself as a manager at Quality Learning Center, firmly denied any allegations of fraud. In an interview with local news outlet KARE, he insisted that Shirley’s video misrepresented the center’s operations, stating, “There’s no fraud going on whatsoever.” He explained that the video was filmed before the business opened for the day and that children were present later.
Public Response and Future Actions
The public’s reaction to the video and subsequent allegations has been mixed. Many supporters of Shirley gathered outside the Quality Learning Center, while others questioned the motivations behind the video. Some observers noted the apparent contradiction between the center’s operational status and the claims made by state officials about its closure. A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Human Services indicated that the center had “decided to remain open,” despite earlier assertions that it had closed.
Determining the exact number of children served by the Quality Learning Center has proven challenging. The facility is licensed for a maximum of 99 children, but Ali reported that it typically serves between 50 to 80 children daily. The Department of Human Services has not provided updated enrollment figures amid the ongoing inquiries.
As investigations continue, questions remain about the future of the Quality Learning Center and other similar facilities in Minnesota. The state licensing database confirms that the center’s license has been renewed through the end of 2026. Meanwhile, efforts to correct the misspelled sign are reportedly underway, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by the center amid heightened scrutiny.
