Investigation into Michigan Child Care Provider
Michigan lawmakers are looking into a child care provider that received over $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded fees, even though it seems not to operate at its listed address. This inquiry is mainly focused on First Premier Learning Academy and Daycare located in Clinton Township, as prompted by the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Public Assistance Programs.
According to the investigation, the facility acquired $1,121,641 in reimbursements from the child development and care (CDC) program for the fiscal years running from 2023 to 2026. Yet, investigators stated they conducted multiple visits to the site and found no signs of child care activities happening there.
The daycare is supposed to be at 39781 Garfield Road in Clinton Township; however, investigators noted that this address is actually occupied by Kids in Motion Early Learning Institute, which is a closed state-licensed daycare.
Furthermore, investigators reported they couldn’t locate a valid childcare license for First Premier Learning Academy & Daycare. Efforts to contact the daycare during posted business hours were fruitless, with all calls ending up in voicemail.
On June 12, during a site visit, investigators discovered the building locked even though it should have been open. While the lights were on inside, there were no staff members or children present. Nearby businesses revealed they had never witnessed any children at the site, although they occasionally noticed construction work.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jason Woolford conducted an in-person visit on June 15. Despite knocking repeatedly, no one answered the door. Woolford found a fenced asphalt lot with unkempt sidewalks, an abandoned theater near the building, and an outdoor playground that appeared neglected, with stacked chairs collecting rainwater.
The report also indicated that although the rear door was unlocked, there was no response after Woolford called out inside. Employees at a nearby café mentioned they had never seen children entering the facility.
Premier Early Childhood Education Partners LLC, based in Chicago, operates several licensed child care facilities across Michigan through entities like Premier MI Network Clinton Twp, which runs 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare. This establishment stated it received around $1.12 million in CDC reimbursements from 2023 to 2026, as noted in the report.
The oversight board has confirmed the investigation is still active, and no criminal charges have yet been filed. There has been no response from Premier Early Childhood Education Partners regarding the situation.
