Investigation into Michigan Day Care Receiving $1.1 Million in Taxpayer Funds
Lawmakers in Michigan are looking into a now-closed day care center that reportedly received over $1.1 million in taxpayer money. The focus is on First Premier Learning Academy and Daycare, located in Clinton Township. A video shared by Michigan House Republicans highlights some concerning aspects of the situation.
State Rep. Jason Woolford, who leads the House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Assistance Programs, remarked on a seemingly vacant classroom visible through a lit window, stating, “The lights are on, but there’s no one home.” He explored the empty facility, noting the back door was unlocked, but there was no sign of life.
Rep. Woolford pointed out that the day care has received funding for the last three years without undergoing a proper vetting process by MiLeap. He noted that neighboring businesses claimed they had never seen any children at the facility, despite being there for decades.
“First Premier Learning Academy and Daycare presents itself as an early learning child care provider, yet our investigation revealed no identifiable child care license for this facility through LARA or MILeap,” Woolford stated in a Facebook update.
Further searches for business names and addresses yielded no valid or active licenses related to the operation. Documentation indicates this center has received around $1.1 million from taxpayers between 2023 and 2025. Woolford emphasized that these findings are troubling and call for a deep investigation.
“Michigan families and taxpayers need assurance that child care programs are legitimate, properly licensed, and actually operating as intended,” he said. “With over $1 million in taxpayer funds linked to a facility riddled with unanswered questions and warning signs, this is a situation that cannot be overlooked.”
According to the staff at the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Public Assistance Programs, they have been unable to reach anyone at the day care. The investigation is currently underway.
