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Thank you for your patience as we've sorted through numerous questions this week about the Child Care Assistance Program. The information below can be attributed to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families generally.
The department will not have anyone available for an interview.
Investigating potential fraud, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring access to quality, safe services for Minnesota families is an ongoing priority for the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families.
About CCAP
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) reduces the cost of child care for working families, allowing parents to work and go to school, ensuring children are well cared for and thrive as learners, and supporting the state’s workforce and businesses. CCAP supports access to affordable child care for 23,000 children and 12,000 working families across Minnesota during an average month.
Minnesota counties and two Tribal Nations provide child care assistance by processing family applications, verifications, and enrollment and approving payments to providers.
CCAP invested $306.6 million for affordable child care for Minnesota families in fiscal year 2024.
DCYF conducts ongoing on-site compliance reviews of CCAP providers
DCYF's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has a team of investigators who conduct regular oversight into all providers participating in CCAP.
Additionally, DCYF investigators work closely with law enforcement, county partners, and community members to identify, investigate, and stop fraudulent activity. After thorough investigation, the agency can take actions such as issuing correction orders, recouping funds, or disqualifying providers from CCAP. DCYF can stop payments during the investigation if there is credible evidence of fraud. The department works closely with law enforcement and refers cases for criminal investigation where fraud is involved.
DCYF currently has 55 open investigations involving providers receiving CCAP funding.
Investigations can range from a one-time compliance check — observing classrooms and reviewing attendance against billing — to longer, in-depth reviews comparing children present with billing records.
For example, in a recent case, OIG investigators used surveillance to confirm that the number of children entering a center over time did not match submitted billing records. The provider and controlling individual were then disqualified from CCAP and other publicly funded DCYF programs. This disqualification was shared with state and county agencies for appropriate follow-up.
OIG also operates the Early and Often program, working with licensing staff to provide technical assistance and conduct frequent visits to newly licensed centers to ensure compliance with licensing and billing requirements. Records reviewed during these visits can trigger further investigation if deficiencies are not corrected.
Additionally, a data analytics team monitors payment data for irregularities that may indicate fraud.
Licensing staff conduct annual unannounced visits to each center, using a supplemental checklist to identify potential concerns and refer them to investigators.
If CCAP payments are suspended, both parents and providers are notified through the CCAP eligibility and payment system. Parent notices include guidance on selecting a new provider through ParentAware.org.
Viral video
This week, as part of our ongoing commitment to oversight, OIG investigators conducted on-site compliance checks at nine child care centers referenced in a recently circulated video.
- Investigators confirmed the centers were operating as expected, gathered evidence and initiated further review. Children were present at all sites except for one -- that site, was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived.
- Quality Learning Child Care Center: On Dec. 19, 2025, DCYF was made aware that Quality Learning child care center intended to voluntarily close, a statement that DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown referenced during a Dec. 29 press conference. The closure announcement earlier in the month was not the result of any action taken by DCYF. When licensing investigators visited the center on Dec. 29, they learned the facility had chosen to remain open.
- The child care centers referenced in the online video received the following CCAP funding in fiscal year 2025: Super Kids Daycare Center, $471,787; Future Leaders Early Learning Center, $3.68 million; Quality Learning Centers, $1.9 million; Tayo Daycare, $1.09 million; Minnesota Child Care Center, $2.67 million; Mini Child Care Center, $1.6 million; Sweet Angel Child Care, $1.54 million; ABC Learning Center, $1.04 million; Minnesota Best Child Care Center, $3.4 million; Mako Child Care Center has been closed since 2022
- DCYF currently has ongoing investigations at four of the centers.
Unvetted claims impact families and investigations
DCYF remains committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud, protect children, support families, and minimize disruption to communities that rely on these essential services.
Distribution of unvetted or deceptive claims and misuse of tip lines can interfere with investigations, create safety risks for families, providers, and employers, and has contributed to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
If you have concerns about potential fraud at a particular child care center, please report your concerns so the tip can be investigated. Doing so ensures providers who have committed fraud may be thoroughly investigated to ensure all administrative and criminal actions can be pursued.
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