A Minneapolis day care center, the Quality Learning Center, has become the center of controversy following a viral video that alleges fraud within Minnesota’s child care system. The video, created by conservative content creator Nick Shirley, features a notable error on the center’s sign, which misspells “learning” as “learing.” This detail caught attention and prompted a wave of criticism, resulting in heightened scrutiny from state officials and intensified discussions about fraud in day care services, particularly within the Somali community in Minneapolis.
Shirley’s video, released on December 26, rapidly gained traction, leading to calls for increased immigration enforcement and a freeze on federal funding for community programs. The backlash included pointed remarks from former President Donald Trump, who criticized the Somali community amid the unfolding allegations. Although Shirley’s video showcased other businesses, the Quality Learning Center’s misspelled sign and its locked doors placed it at the forefront of discussions regarding state oversight and potential fraud.
According to Assistant US Attorney Melinda Williams, federal law enforcement has been investigating fraud in Minnesota for several years. So far, 98 individuals have been charged in connection with ongoing fraud cases. Notably, no charges have been filed against the Quality Learning Center. State records indicate that the center has faced inquiries regarding compliance with regulations but have not suggested fraud.
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which supports working families by providing funds for child care, has been a significant source of revenue for the Quality Learning Center. Reports reveal that the center was set to receive $1.9 million from CCAP for the fiscal year 2025 and has accumulated nearly $10 million since 2019. According to figures provided by the state House Republican Caucus, these funding figures were sourced from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), which has yet to confirm the amounts.
Concerns regarding the Quality Learning Center were previously raised in a hearing by the House fraud committee in February 2023, highlighting the center as part of a larger discussion about the integrity of day care operations in the area. CCAP funding does not go directly to the centers; instead, eligible parents apply for assistance, which is then allocated to the day care.
The Quality Learning Center underwent its most recent unannounced inspection on June 23, 2025. According to Tikki Brown, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, ongoing investigations have not uncovered any findings of fraud related to the centers discussed in Shirley’s video. New site visits were planned for the following week to further assess compliance.
Ibrahim Ali, who identifies as a manager and son of the center’s owners, stated that there is “no fraud going on whatsoever.” He responded to the allegations by asserting that Shirley’s video was filmed before the center opened for the day, which operates from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Despite these claims, the center has a history of compliance issues. From May 2022 to June 2025, Quality Learning Center was cited for 121 violations, including staffing issues and inadequate documentation for children’s medications. However, none of these violations indicated that the facility was empty at any time.
In a June 2022 notice, it was revealed that the center’s license was placed on conditional status due to chronic violations impacting child health and safety. Although the license remained active, the center faced fines for allowing background checks for employees to expire.
As media presence intensified outside the center, including a return visit from Shirley, the scene buzzed with activity as children were seen entering the facility. Despite conflicting statements from state officials regarding the operational status of the Quality Learning Center, reports confirmed children were present at the facility, leading to various conspiracy theories online.
The Minnesota licensing database indicates that the Quality Learning Center’s license is valid through the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Ali mentioned that the missing letter “n” on the sign was simply a mistake by the graphic designer, with corrections already in progress.
The situation surrounding the Quality Learning Center continues to evolve, with ongoing scrutiny from authorities and the public. As investigations proceed, the focus remains on ensuring compliance and safeguarding the well-being of children in care.
