Michigan childcare provider got $1.1M in taxpayer funds but may not exist
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Michigan lawmakers are investigating a child care provider that received more than $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded child care reimbursements despite claims that it did not operate at a listed address.
The investigation focuses on 1st Premier Learning Academy and Day Care Center in Clinton County and was initiated by the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Public Assistance Programs.
The facility received $1,121,641 in reimbursements under the Child Development and Care (CDC) Program between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, according to an investigative report, but committee staff said repeated site visits found no evidence that children were being cared for at the advertised location.
The facility’s address is 39781 Garfield Road in Clinton County, but investigators said the address was occupied by Kidz in Motion Early Learning Institute, a daycare listed as off-licence with the state.
DEM DONORS’ BIG PAYDAY FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS EXPLODES IN CRIMINAL CASE CHALLENGING STATE POLICY
Michigan lawmakers are investigating whether a child care provider that received more than $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded refunds operated at the listed address. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
Inspectors also said they could not find an active child care license for 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare.
Committee staff also said they tried to contact the nursery during advertised business hours but were unable to reach anyone, with all calls resulting in an answering service.
During a site visit on June 12, committee staff reported that the building was locked despite being open during advertised business hours. Investigators said the lights were on inside but no staff or children were visible.
MICHIGAN LAWYER MOVES TO CLOSE ‘Grailless’ CASH DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR NEW MOTHERS
The facility’s outdoor play area was not in use during a site visit in June, MPs said. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
A nearby business tenant reported to investigators that they had never seen children in the area, but did occasionally see construction activity.
Subcommittee Chairman Representative Jason Woolford made his own visit on June 15. Despite repeated knocks on the front door, no one answered, according to the report.
Investigators said Woolford found a fenced asphalt area with grass growing along the sidewalk, an old playhouse leaning against the building and an outdoor play area with stacked chairs outside filled with rainwater.
DIRECTOR OF THE SPECIAL ‘CASH GIFT’ PROGRAM FOR NEW MOTHERS TALKS HOW TAXPAYERS FUNDING IS USED IN THE DEBATE
Committee inspectors said they found no evidence that children were being cared for at the nursery’s stated address during multiple site visits. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
The report also stated that the back door was unlocked, but no one answered after Woolford called inside.
Staff at a nearby cafe told Woolford they had never seen children enter the premises.
According to the committee, Premier Early Childhood Education Partners LLC is a Chicago-based company that owns and operates several legitimate child care facilities in Michigan.
One of those organizations, Premier MI Network Clinton Twp, operates as 1st Premier Learning Academy and Day Care and received approximately $1.12 million in reimbursements from the CDC between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, the report states.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The oversight committee said the investigation is ongoing and no criminal charges have been filed.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Premier Early Childhood Education Partners for comment.
