A day care center in Minneapolis has become a focal point of scrutiny following a viral video that raises allegations of fraud. The Quality Learning Center, located on Nicollet Avenue, gained attention after conservative content creator Nick Shirley highlighted a misspelled sign that read “Quality ‘Learing’ Center.” This gaffe, alongside claims of fraudulent practices, has prompted public outcry and intensified scrutiny from state and federal authorities.
Shirley’s video, posted on December 26, 2022, has led to increased immigration enforcement, halted federal funding, and heightened rhetoric against the Somali community from notable figures, including former President Donald Trump. In an interview, Shirley asserted, “These are not real businesses,” directing criticism towards the Minnesota government and Governor Tim Walz for allegedly allowing fraud to persist unchecked.
Despite the ongoing investigations into day care centers in the area, including the Quality Learning Center, Melinda Williams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, confirmed that no fraud charges have been filed against the facility. Federal law enforcement has been investigating fraud in Minnesota for several years, resulting in charges against 98 individuals related to government fraud cases.
The Quality Learning Center, according to state records, is set to receive $1.9 million from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for 2025. Since 2019, the center has accumulated nearly $10 million in funding from CCAP. State House Republican Caucus figures, which have not been independently confirmed, suggest that concerns about day care centers, including Quality Learning Center, were raised months prior in legislative hearings.
Investigations and Inspections
The CCAP does not allow day care centers to apply directly for funding. Instead, eligible caregivers apply based on their income, and the financial support goes directly to the center. A recent budget forecast from the agency managing CCAP indicated a projected cost of $56 million for the 2025 fiscal year, with an additional $101 million expected from the federal government.
Quality Learning Center’s most recent unannounced inspection took place on June 23, with Tikki Brown, Commissioner of the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, stating that ongoing investigations have not uncovered any findings of fraud at the centers featured in Shirley’s video. Brown mentioned that new site visits would be conducted, although the department did not confirm whether these visits had been completed or what the results were.
In his defense, Ibrahim Ali, identified as a manager and the son of the owners, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Shirley’s video was filmed before the center’s operating hours. Ali indicated that the center serves between 50 to 80 children daily, despite state records showing it is licensed to care for a maximum of 99 children.
Ongoing Concerns and Violations
State records reveal that Quality Learning Center has faced a total of 121 violations from May 2022 to June 2025, including 10 violations cited in the most recent inspection. Issues ranged from having unqualified substitutes to inadequate documentation for children’s medications. Notably, none of the violations suggested that the facility was vacant, despite implications from Shirley’s video.
In June 2022, the center’s license was placed on conditional status due to serious and chronic violations impacting children’s health and safety. While it has remained operational, it has also faced fines totaling $400 for allowing a background check on an employee to lapse.
The situation has drawn considerable media attention, with Shirley returning to the center to document its activities. Observers noted the arrival of children at the center, contradicting earlier claims that it had closed. A spokesperson from the state department later clarified that Quality Learning Center “decided to remain open,” leading to confusion and speculation online.
The center’s registered owner, Siman Aden, has not been reachable for comment, and the state Department of Human Services has not provided clarity regarding enrollment figures or the current operational status of the day care.
As of now, the Quality Learning Center’s license remains valid until the end of 2026, and efforts are underway to correct the misspelled sign. The unfolding drama raises questions about oversight in the child care system and the implications for the Somali community amid ongoing allegations and investigations.
