EXCLUSIVE: Video shows Michigan lawmaker touring daycare tied to $1.1M in taxpayer funds with no sign of kids
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Video Michigan lawmaker visits daycare that received $1.1M amid investigation
Michigan Rep. Jason Woolford visits the listed location of a daycare that received more than $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded childcare reimbursements as lawmakers investigate whether the facility was operating
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!FIRST ON FOX: 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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Michigan lawmakers are investigating whether a childcare provider that received more than $1.1 million in taxpayer-funded reimbursements was operating at its listed address. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
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. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
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.
Committee investigators said they found no evidence that children were being cared for at the daycare's listed address during multiple site visits. (Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee)
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.
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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.
Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
