Minnesota investigators say child care centers captured in viral video were operating as expected
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The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families conducted compliance checks on nine child care centers embroiled in controversy after a viral video accused them of fraud, finding the centers were “operating as expected.”
In a news release, the agency said investigators who visited the centers also gathered evidence and “initiated further review.”
“Children were present at all sites except for one — that site was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived,” the state agency said.
The nine child care facilities were captured in a viral video made by right-wing content creator Nick Shirley, who visited several Somali-owned centers in an attempt to expose widespread fraud. The video prompted calls for an investigation, a freezing of federal funds and racist rhetoric toward the Somali community.
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Days after Shirley published the YouTube video, some child care providers reported receiving harassing phone calls. One was vandalized and broken into.
DCYF said the child care centers referenced in the video received funding from Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program, which is funded by state, federal and county dollars. About 12,000 working families use the program every month.
Here’s a list of the child care centers receiving CCAP funds referenced in the video and how much money they received in fiscal year 2025:
Super Kids Daycare Center — $471,787
Future Leaders Early Learning Center — $3.68 million
Quality Learning Centers — $1.9 million
Tayo Daycare — $1.09 million
Minnesota Child Care Center — $2.67 million
Mini Child Care Center — $1.6 million
Sweet Angel Child Care — $1.54 million
ABC Learning Center — $1.04 million
Minnesota Best Child Care Center — $3.4 million
DCYF has ongoing investigations at four of the centers on the list. In total, the agency has 55 open investigations involving providers that are getting funding through CCAP.
“Investigations can range from a one-time compliance check — observing classrooms and reviewing attendance against billing — to longer, in-depth reviews comparing children present with billing records,” DCYF said in the news release.
The state agency also recognized the harm that can come from false allegations about fraud.
“Distribution of unvetted or deceptive claims and misuse of tip lines can interfere with investigations, create safety risks for families, providers and employers, and has contributed to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities,” the agency said.
