Child Care Fraud Is a False Narrative

Colorful children's playroom with geometric mural, toys, bookshelves, and a table with small chairs.

The controversy started in December 2025, when a YouTuber posted a video claiming that Minnesota child care centers receiving public funding were not providing services to children. Despite the fact that these claims were not substantiated, the federal government responded by freezing child care funding for five majority-Democratic states, including Minnesota. In the weeks that followed, many voters exposed to high volumes of inaccurate and misleading news coverage came to believe that widespread fraud was occurring in the child care sector; others believed fraud existed, but was limited in scope.

These talking points provide information about how child care actually operates and counters the false narrative that is presented in the videos.

Home Grown’s Talking Points

A woman in a patterned scrub top reads an open picture book to two children.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Why it matters to celebrate and honor Hispanic and Latino heritage

Blog_English
The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is particularly important for the early care and education (ECE) field. For over 25 years, Jacqueline Chávez has provided child care to her community as a family child care provider.
Read More
A woman in a patterned scrub top reads an open picture book to two children.

Celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Hispana: Porque debemos celebrar y honrar la herencia hispana y latina

Blog_Spanish
La celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana es particularmente importante para el sistema del cuidado infantil. Por más de 25 años, Jacqueline Chávez ha brindado cuidado infantil bilingüe a su comunidad como una proveedora de cuidado infantil familiar.
Read More
Two figures hold a house with a child inside; banners read “Universal Child Care” and “Built From Home.”.

Universal Child Care, Built from Home: A vision for what universal child care can look like when it starts with the providers families trust most

Blog_English
Over the past several months, the Home Grown team has worked with provider leaders and our advisory communities to develop a set of principles for what a universal child care system should look like when it fully includes home-based child care. The result is our first draft of a shared vision: Universal Child Care, Built From Home.
Read More