A child-care centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has hastily corrected a prominent spelling error on its business sign after becoming the focus of a viral video alleging fraud. The centre, named Quality Learning Center, had displayed the misspelling 'Learing' above its entrance.
Viral Video Sparks Scrutiny
The typo was highlighted in a 43-minute investigative video published on December 28, 2025, by YouTuber Nick Shirley. The video, which has amassed over 2 million views, scrutinized several child-care centres for alleged fraudulent activity. Shirley shared an image of the sign on social media, quipping, "Hey Tim go check up on the quality of the learing of these children."
According to a report by the New York Post, the centre fixed the error on the morning of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, using a sticker to cover the incorrect "Learing" on its sign. However, the report noted that another error remains: the address on the sign still spells the avenue "Nicollet" as "Nicolet."
Management Responds to Allegations
In response to the fraud allegations, Ibrahim Ali, the son of the day-care manager, placed blame for the spelling mistake on the graphic designer. He defended the centre's operations, calling the fraud claims a "big misunderstanding."
Ali outlined the centre's hours as Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., suggesting critics were checking at the wrong times. "Do you go to a coffee shop at 11 p.m. and say, 'Hey, they’re not working'?" he told the Post.
Contradicting this, a neighbour interviewed by the newspaper stated they had never seen children at the facility until the day of the interview. "We’ve never seen kids go in there until today," the neighbour said. "That parking lot is empty all the time, and I was under the impression that place is permanently closed."
State Investigation and Funding
The controversy drew the attention of Minnesota state officials. Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown initially stated that the day care had closed the previous week due to space constraints. The centre had reportedly received approximately $4 million in state funding.
Brown told reporters that her staff's review found no evidence of fraud at any of the centres featured in Shirley's viral video. However, the Minnesota Department of Children's Services later clarified her comments, explaining that while the state was notified by Quality Learning Center of its intent to close, the owner ultimately decided to keep the business open.
The incident underscores the intense public and governmental scrutiny facing childcare providers, especially those receiving substantial public funds, in the age of social media-driven investigations.
