Michigan childcare provider got $1.1M in taxpayer funds but may not exist

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Michigan lawmakers are investigating a childcare provider that received more than $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded childcare reimbursements despite allegations that it does not appear to operate at its listed address.

The investigation centers on 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare in Clinton Township and was launched by the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State & Local Public Assistance Programs.

According to an investigative report, the facility received $1,121,641 in Child Development & Care (CDC) Program reimbursements between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, yet committee staff said repeated site visits found no evidence that children were being cared for at the advertised location.

The facility is listed at 39781 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, but investigators said that address is occupied by Kidz in Motion Early Learning Institute, a daycare whose state license is listed as closed.

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Investigators also said they were unable to locate an active childcare license for 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare.

Committee staff said they also attempted to contact the daycare during advertised business hours but were unable to reach anyone, with all calls ending at an answering service.

During a June 12 site visit, committee staff reported finding the building locked despite being open during advertised business hours. Investigators said lights were on inside but no staff or children were visible.

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Lawmakers said the facility's outdoor play area appeared unused during a June site visit.

A nearby business tenant told investigators they had never seen children at the location, though they reported occasionally seeing construction activity.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jason Woolford conducted his own visit on June 15. According to the report, no one answered the front door despite repeated knocking.

Investigators said Woolford found an outdoor play area consisting of a fenced-in asphalt lot with grass growing through the pavement, an old playhouse pushed against the building and chairs stacked outside filled with rainwater.

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Committee investigators said they found no evidence that children were being cared for at the daycare's listed address during multiple site visits.

The report also said a rear door was unlocked, but no one responded after Woolford called inside.

Employees at a neighboring café told Woolford they had never seen children enter the facility.

According to the committee, Premier Early Childhood Education Partners LLC is a Chicago-based company that owns and operates several legitimate childcare facilities in Michigan.

The report states that one of those entities, Premier MI Network Clinton Twp, does business as 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare and received approximately $1.12 million in CDC reimbursements between fiscal years 2023 and 2026.

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The oversight committee said its investigation remains ongoing, and no criminal charges have been announced.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Premier Early Childhood Education Partners for comment.

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