Michigan legislators are looking into a child care provider that has received over $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded fees, even though it seems not to be operating at its stated location.
This investigation centers on First Premier Learning Academy and Daycare in Clinton Township and was initiated by the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Public Assistance Programs.
According to a report from the investigation, the facility got $1,121,641 in reimbursements from the child development and care (CDC) program during fiscal years 2023 to 2026. However, commission staff reported visiting the site several times, only to find no indication that any children were being cared for at the given address.
The daycare is registered at 39781 Garfield Road in Clinton Township; however, investigators claim that this location is actually home to Kids in Motion Early Learning Institute, which is a closed, state-licensed daycare.
Additionally, investigators were unable to locate a valid childcare license for 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare.
During their inquiry, commission staff attempted to contact the daycare during its posted hours but only reached voicemail. On June 12, a site visit revealed the building was locked, even though it was supposed to be open. They found the lights on inside, but there were no staff or children present.
Nearby businesses claimed they had never seen any kids around, although they did occasionally notice construction activity.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jason Woolford also visited the location on June 15. He reported that no one answered the door despite several knocks and found the site, which included a fenced asphalt lot with overgrown grass, an abandoned theater, and a playground filled with stagnant water.
Although the rear door was unlocked, there was no response after Woolford called inside.
Employees at a local café mentioned they had also never seen children enter the facility.
Premier Early Childhood Education Partners LLC, based in Chicago, owns and operates multiple licensed childcare facilities across Michigan. One division of this company, operating under the name 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare, claimed to have received about $1.12 million in CDC reimbursements from fiscal years 2023 to 2026, as noted in the report.
The oversight board indicated that the investigation is still ongoing, with no criminal charges filed yet. Efforts to get a response from Premier Early Childhood Education Partners were initiated.
