A YouTube video, which claims to expose widespread fraud at Minnesota childcare centers run by Somali immigrants, has sparked a federal crackdown on child care funding, sending shockwaves through an already fragile system. The video's creator, Nick Shirley, shows up uninvited at multiple daycares, claiming he is a parent trying to register his own child "Little Joey," and saying that the facilities are riddled with fraud.
However, when state investigators visited these centers, they found that most were operating normally, despite Shirley's allegations. The investigation by the Minneapolis Star Tribune has revealed that none of the people owning the centers have been charged with fraud. Despite this, President Trump has announced a freeze on federal child care funding for five blue states, including Minnesota.
The move has left many experts worried about the potential consequences for families who rely on subsidized day care. "Having disruptions like this is really counterproductive for children, for parents who are trying to go to work, and for the really underpaid, and stressed, and strained child care workforce," said Amy Matsui, vice president of child care and income security at the National Women's Law Center.
The freeze on funding has also raised concerns about how it will impact small businesses that operate daycares. "Because providers are working on such small margins, it's entirely possible that they might have to close, whether temporarily or permanently," Matsui said. Such closures would put parents' jobs at risk and create risks for children if families have to turn to less-safe options.
The episode has provided an opening for conservative lawmakers to question the very premise of subsidized child care. "When did it become the federal government's role to provide day care?" Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) asked on X in December.
However, polls show that there is huge public support for greater public investment in childcare. "There is huge public support for having greater public investment in child care," Matsui said. "This is something that families want and need for their economic security."
However, when state investigators visited these centers, they found that most were operating normally, despite Shirley's allegations. The investigation by the Minneapolis Star Tribune has revealed that none of the people owning the centers have been charged with fraud. Despite this, President Trump has announced a freeze on federal child care funding for five blue states, including Minnesota.
The move has left many experts worried about the potential consequences for families who rely on subsidized day care. "Having disruptions like this is really counterproductive for children, for parents who are trying to go to work, and for the really underpaid, and stressed, and strained child care workforce," said Amy Matsui, vice president of child care and income security at the National Women's Law Center.
The freeze on funding has also raised concerns about how it will impact small businesses that operate daycares. "Because providers are working on such small margins, it's entirely possible that they might have to close, whether temporarily or permanently," Matsui said. Such closures would put parents' jobs at risk and create risks for children if families have to turn to less-safe options.
The episode has provided an opening for conservative lawmakers to question the very premise of subsidized child care. "When did it become the federal government's role to provide day care?" Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) asked on X in December.
However, polls show that there is huge public support for greater public investment in childcare. "There is huge public support for having greater public investment in child care," Matsui said. "This is something that families want and need for their economic security."
I don't get why Trump would do this to the families who already struggle to make ends meet, you know? 
They're just trying to send their kids off to daycare so they can go to work and pay bills. And now this freeze on funding is gonna mess up a lot of people's lives. It's not even fair that he's targeting those blue states where most of these centers are located. I'm sure it's all about politics, but come on... what about the kids? 
this is so unfair... think about all the parents who are struggling to make ends meet just to put food on the table, let alone pay for childcare. and now, because of some youtube video, everyone's gonna suffer 
these small businesses that own daycares are already barely scraping by, now you're telling them they gotta close down? that's not gonna end well 
what's gonna happen to all those parents who don't have a choice but to rely on subsidized daycare? it's like the system was working just fine until some guy with a camera showed up and said "i'm gonna ruin everything" 
, they're gonna leave tons of families high & dry 
'cause a YouTube video dude made some wild claims 
. I mean, these childcare centers are run by Somali immigrants, it's not like they're trying to scam people 
. And what really gets me is that some ppl are already worried about parents losing their jobs and kids having to go to bad places 
not to make it harder for them. those daycare centers arent even cheatin lol they just got a bad rep because of that youtube vid. and now its gonna affect so many ppl who need it. i hate when politicians think they can just cut funding and expect no one to notice 
we need more people like amy matsui speaking out about this. what if these daycare centers have to close? itll be a disaster for so many families 
. And now President Trump is using it as an excuse to freeze federal funding for Minnesota? That's just not right 
.
Federal funding freeze? 
Childcare workers are already underpaid & stressed... no need to add "fear of closure" to their resume 
Public support for childcare far exceeds just politics 
we need to support our community, not tear it down 
Can you believe this? Some dude shows up at daycares, claiming to be a parent, and suddenly the whole system is on lockdown 
? In all seriousness though, this is super concerning. The freeze on funding is gonna hurt families who already can't afford childcare, and small businesses might get stuck