Day care centers in Washington state that have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded subsidies are facing growing scrutiny after reporters from The Center Square visited several facilities and found what they described as little to no visible evidence of active child care operations. According to journalists, some locations appeared to have no children present during business hours, while staff at other sites were either uncooperative or unable to provide basic information about enrollment, staffing, or services. In several cases, individuals at the facilities said they hoped to enroll children in the future but did not have applications available, posted schedules, or personnel authorized to discuss enrollment details. These observations have raised questions about oversight, verification, and accountability in state-administered child care subsidy programs, particularly as demand for affordable child care continues to outpace supply and public funding for such services has expanded in recent years.
The reporting in Washington comes amid a broader national focus on alleged fraud in taxpayer-subsidized child care programs, most notably in Minnesota, where federal authorities have described their inquiry into Somali-run child care facilities as “massive.” According to previous reporting by The Center Square, investigators are examining whether some providers in Minnesota received public funds while operating inactive, closed, or minimally functional facilities. That investigation has drawn attention from multiple federal agencies and has heightened concern among policymakers and watchdog groups about whether existing monitoring systems are sufficient to prevent abuse. While officials have emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that allegations do not imply guilt, the scale of the inquiry has intensified calls for reforms to ensure public funds are reaching children and families as intended rather than being diverted through fraudulent or mismanaged operations.
In Washington, state financial data published by the Office of Financial Management show that a home-based day care operating under the name Eyow Childcare Inc., located on 6th Avenue SW, received $158,931 in taxpayer-funded subsidies and grants between July and November 2025. When reporters returned to the residence this week, they said the homeowner declined to answer questions and contacted police. Video recorded at the scene shows officers from the Federal Way Police Department explaining that journalists were permitted to remain on the public sidewalk and advising the homeowner to remain calm. One officer reportedly entered the residence and said three children were inside at the time, though officers did not confirm whether the children were enrolled in a licensed day care program or whether the facility was operating in compliance with state regulations. The encounter underscored the difficulty reporters said they faced in verifying whether publicly funded facilities were actively serving children.
Similar concerns arose at other locations. Brightstar Early Learning, located on South 317th Street, received $141,686 in taxpayer subsidies during the same five-month period, according to state data. When The Center Square visited the site, a woman at the location declined to answer repeated questions about whether a day care was operating there or whether children were currently enrolled. Instead, she questioned the reporters about their presence, began filming them with her phone, and ultimately closed and locked the door. Another facility in Federal Way, Wonder Kidz on 19th Avenue South, received $258,199 in subsidies over the same period. Reporters said they were unable to confirm active operations during their visit. Collectively, these visits raised questions about how frequently subsidized facilities are inspected, how enrollment is verified, and whether funding mechanisms adequately track actual service delivery.
The Washington reporting has unfolded alongside renewed attention to independent journalist Nick Shirley’s investigation into Minnesota child care providers. Shirley recently published a 42-minute video alleging that multiple day care centers in Minnesota appeared inactive or closed despite receiving substantial public funding. The video quickly went viral, accumulating more than 134 million views on X, according to platform metrics, and prompted public debate over the role of independent journalism in uncovering potential misuse of government funds. Following the video’s release, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a temporary freeze on child care payments to Minnesota while reviews are conducted, signaling that federal officials considered the allegations serious enough to warrant immediate administrative action, even as investigations continue.
As Shirley’s reporting gained traction online, several major media organizations characterized it as a viral social media moment rather than a traditional investigative report. Outlets including CNN, PBS, and The New York Times questioned the methodology, framing, or conclusions of the video, with some describing Shirley as a partisan or “right-wing influencer” and noting that allegations had not yet been proven. NPR featured commentary from a media law professor suggesting Shirley was advancing a particular narrative, while a CBS News reporter was criticized by Shirley for what he described as an attempt to downplay the significance of his findings. These reactions sparked a secondary debate about trust in legacy media, the standards applied to independent journalists, and whether skepticism toward nontraditional reporting sometimes overshadows substantive questions about government oversight. Shirley has said he plans to release additional reporting and has argued that the intense reaction from major outlets reflects discomfort with scrutiny that originates outside established media institutions rather than a good-faith assessment of the evidence.
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