A Minneapolis day care center has become the center of controversy following a viral video alleging fraud within the state’s child care system. The Quality Learning Center, located on Nicollet Avenue, was highlighted for a misspelled sign that read “Quality ‘Learing’ Center.” Conservative content creator Nick Shirley used this oversight to underscore his claims of widespread fraud in the Minnesota Somali community’s day care sector.
Shirley’s 42-minute video, released the day after Christmas, quickly gained traction and sparked heightened scrutiny of child care facilities across the state. The video prompted a response from federal authorities, including increased immigration enforcement and statements from former President Donald Trump, who criticized the Somali community amid the fallout. The Quality Learning Center has since faced significant public attention, with critics arguing that it exemplifies a system allowing fraud to persist unchecked.
The allegations have prompted investigations, with Assistant US Attorney Melinda Williams stating that “98 individuals have been charged in our ongoing fraud against the government cases.” Despite this, no fraud charges have been filed against the Quality Learning Center. According to state records, the center has a history of regulatory scrutiny, facing repeated questions about whether its services meet state standards, though none of the violations implicated fraud.
Funding and Oversight of the Child Care Assistance Program
The Quality Learning Center is set to receive approximately $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for the fiscal year 2025. Since 2019, it has received nearly $10 million in funding through CCAP, which is designed to assist eligible families in covering child care costs. However, concerns about the center’s operations have been raised by state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who noted that the House fraud committee had discussed issues related to day care centers, including the Quality Learning Center, as early as February.
Under CCAP, funding does not come directly from day care centers; instead, eligible working parents apply for assistance, which is then paid to the center. Projections from the state agency managing CCAP indicate that the program will cost the state approximately $56 million in 2025, with an additional $101 million expected from federal sources.
The most recent inspection of the Quality Learning Center took place on June 23, with findings indicating ongoing investigations but no evidence of fraud. Tikki Brown, commissioner of the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, confirmed that new site visits were planned but did not clarify whether they had been conducted or what the results were.
Regulatory Challenges and Community Response
Ibrahim Ali, who identifies himself as the manager of the Quality Learning Center, responded to the allegations, asserting that “there’s no fraud going on whatsoever.” He attributed the video’s claims to a misrepresentation of the center’s operations, explaining that it provides after-school care with posted hours from 2 to 10 p.m.
State records indicate that the Quality Learning Center has faced multiple violations, including issues related to overcrowding and inadequate staff training. From May 2022 to June 2025, the center was cited for a total of 121 violations, although these did not suggest that the facility was unoccupied. Notably, a 2022 notice indicated that the center’s license was placed on conditional status for two years due to ongoing violations impacting child safety.
Despite this conditional status, the Quality Learning Center has not been suspended and has submitted correction documentation that has been approved by state agencies. On Tuesday afternoon, media and supporters of Shirley observed children entering the facility, contradicting earlier claims of closure.
While Ali confirmed the center’s operations, the situation remains complex, with conflicting statements regarding its status. The state licensing database shows that the center’s license is valid through the end of 2026, and corrective measures are reportedly underway to address the sign’s misspelling.
As investigations continue and public scrutiny intensifies, the Quality Learning Center stands at the intersection of community needs and regulatory oversight, highlighting the broader challenges facing child care providers in Minnesota.