A video highlighting alleged fraud at a Minneapolis day care center has ignited significant controversy. The Quality Learning Center, located on Nicollet Avenue, gained notoriety after conservative content creator Nick Shirley pointed out a misspelled sign, referring to it as the “Quality ‘Learing’ Center.” His video, posted on December 26, 2022, quickly went viral, leading to increased scrutiny of the facility and its operations, as well as calls for heightened immigration enforcement.
Shirley’s video has drawn attention not only to the Quality Learning Center but also to broader concerns regarding day care centers in the Somali community of Minneapolis. He claimed, “These are not real businesses,” during an interview, emphasizing perceived inadequacies in state oversight. In response, a man identifying himself as the center’s manager, Ibrahim Ali, denied any wrongdoing, asserting to local media that there was “no fraud going on whatsoever.”
The ongoing investigation into potential fraud at day care centers in Minnesota has been an issue for several years. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda Williams, “98 individuals have been charged in our ongoing fraud against the government cases.” Importantly, no charges have been filed against the Quality Learning Center.
State records indicate that the center is set to receive $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for 2025, having already received nearly $10 million since 2019. Concerns over the center’s operations have been raised, including inquiries into whether it meets state standards. Despite these concerns, no allegations of fraud have been substantiated.
State Response and Investigations
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has conducted inspections of the Quality Learning Center. Its most recent unannounced inspection on June 23, 2023, resulted in citations, but none indicated fraud. Tikki Brown, Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, stated that ongoing investigations into various centers, including those featured in Shirley’s video, did not reveal fraud.
In a press conference, Brown noted that the center had been placed on conditional status due to chronic violations affecting the health and safety of children. From May 2022 to June 2025, the Quality Learning Center was cited for 121 violations, including issues with staffing qualifications and documentation of children’s medications. Despite these findings, the center has maintained its license.
Shirley’s video and subsequent media attention have brought forth conflicting statements about the center’s operational status. While Brown claimed the Quality Learning Center had closed, children were seen arriving shortly thereafter. This discrepancy fueled speculation and conspiracy theories online about the center’s actual status.
Future Implications for the Day Care Center
Determining the exact number of children being served by the Quality Learning Center has proven challenging. The facility is licensed to care for up to 99 children, but Ali indicated that the center typically serves between 50 to 80 children daily. The state DHS has not provided clarity on enrollment figures.
As the investigation continues, the Quality Learning Center remains under scrutiny. The center’s license has been renewed through the end of 2026, despite its conditional status and previous violations. The ongoing situation emphasizes the need for transparent oversight of day care operations in Minnesota, particularly within communities that have faced heightened scrutiny.
The controversy surrounding the Quality Learning Center underscores broader issues within the child care system, raising questions about accountability and the potential for misuse of state funding. As the situation evolves, many are calling for a thorough examination of day care practices to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care.
