The Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis has become the center of controversy following allegations of fraud. A viral video posted by conservative content creator Nick Shirley highlighted the day care’s misspelled sign, which read “Quality ‘Learing’ Center.” This incident has sparked discussions about alleged fraudulent practices within Minnesota’s day care system, particularly within the Somali community.
Shirley’s 42-minute video, shared shortly after Christmas, has prompted heightened scrutiny of the center and others like it. The video has led to increased immigration enforcement and has drawn criticism from public figures, including former President Donald Trump, who has directed sharp rhetoric towards the Somali community. Shirley claimed that the Quality Learning Center is emblematic of a larger issue, stating, “These are not real businesses.”
In response to the allegations, a man identifying himself as the manager of the center, Ibrahim Ali, asserted that “there is no fraud going on whatsoever.” He emphasized that the center serves a legitimate purpose and operates within legal parameters. Federal investigations into fraud in Minnesota have been ongoing, with Assistant US Attorney Melinda Williams confirming that “98 individuals have been charged in our ongoing fraud against the government cases.” However, no charges have been filed against the Quality Learning Center itself.
Funding and Regulatory Oversight
The Quality Learning Center has benefited significantly from state funding. According to figures provided to CNN by the state House Republican Caucus, the center is expected to receive $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in 2025. Since 2019, it has received nearly $10 million from the program. The caucus indicated that these figures were sourced from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), though the agency did not confirm this information.
Minnesota’s state GOP has raised concerns regarding the operations of day care centers, including the Quality Learning Center, for several months. Lisa Demuth, the state House Speaker, remarked, “The fraud committee featured a number of these apparently vacant sites in a hearing that took place all the way back in February.”
Applications for CCAP are submitted by qualified working parents rather than directly from day care centers. The state has forecasted that the program will cost $56 million in the 2025 fiscal year, with an additional $101 million anticipated from federal sources.
The most recent inspection of the Quality Learning Center occurred on June 23, 2023. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families reported that ongoing investigations into several centers, including those highlighted in Shirley’s video, have not uncovered evidence of fraud. Commissioner Tikki Brown noted that unannounced inspections would continue in the coming week.
Despite the allegations, the Quality Learning Center has faced scrutiny for compliance issues. State records indicate that the center was cited for 121 violations from May 2022 to June 2025, including instances of having unqualified substitutes and inadequate documentation for children’s medications. Though some violations were serious, they did not explicitly indicate fraud.
Business Operations and Community Impact
The Quality Learning Center has been operating under conditional status since May 2022 due to the chronic nature of its violations. This status was assigned after inspectors found numerous issues, including overcrowding and lack of proper supervision. Despite these challenges, the center has not faced suspension and has submitted correction documents that were approved by the state.
On the ground, the scene outside the Quality Learning Center has been dynamic. Supporters of Shirley gathered on the sidewalk as children were escorted in and out of the facility. A CNN crew was informed that being on the property would be considered trespassing. Ali argued that Shirley’s portrayal of the center, which implied it was empty, was misleading, stating that employees and children were present at the time of the filming.
The state’s licensing database shows that the Quality Learning Center is authorized to provide care for a maximum of 99 children. Ali reported that the center typically serves between 50 to 80 children daily. However, the state DHS has not provided clarity on current enrollment figures, and attempts to reach the center’s registered owner, Siman Aden, have been unsuccessful.
Conflicting statements regarding the operational status of the center have added to the confusion. Commissioner Brown initially claimed that the Quality Learning Center had closed, a statement echoed by officials from Governor Tim Walz’s office. However, observers reported children arriving at the facility later that same day, leading to speculation and conspiracy theories about the center’s status. A spokesperson for the department later indicated that the center “decided to remain open.”
As for the misspelled sign, Ali explained that the error was a mistake made by the graphic designer. By Tuesday, work was reportedly underway to correct the sign. The controversy surrounding the Quality Learning Center highlights ongoing concerns regarding accountability and transparency within Minnesota’s child care system, particularly as it relates to funding and regulatory oversight.
