Michigan legislators have initiated an inquiry into a childcare provider that reportedly obtained over $1.1 million in public childcare reimbursements amid accusations of non-operation at its registered venue.
The focus of this inquiry is 1st Premier Learning Academy & Daycare situated in Clinton Township. The Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on State & Local Public Assistance Programs spearheaded the investigation.
An investigation revealed that the facility was allocated $1,121,641 in Child Development & Care (CDC) Program funds from fiscal years 2023 to 2026, despite staff members of the committee reporting multiple unsuccessful attempts to verify childcare activity at the specified location.
The designated site for the center is recorded as 39781 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, but investigators stated that this location houses Kidz in Motion Early Learning Institute, a daycare center whose state credentials are marked as closed.
Further complicating the situation, investigators reported being unable to find a valid 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.
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.
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.
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.