Save the St. Catherine's Early Childhood Center

This is a truly special place. Perhaps the university should consider the non-financial benefits, particularly those related to their students pursuing child-based and educational degrees.

Excellent place for educators and small children to learn and grow in an idyllic setting within the St Kate’s campus.

As a leader in the St. Paul educational community this decision should have reflected foresight and dedication to the high standards we have learned to expect from St.Catherine’s University. They have failed to recognize the future of childhood education in the life of their own community! They must not fail in this leadership role. Please thoughtfully reconsider! Listen to your community!

Please for our future children

Please keep this running. Thanks!

I think it is a mistake to discontinue the Early Childcare Program.

High quality child care options should be supported and maintained.

The early childhood center is so vital to our neighborhood plus giving early childhood education students an opportunity to be involved. Please keep it open. Thank you.

This seems like a service worth saving. It certainly is in line with the CSJ mission.

I'm a 1980 grad of St. Catherine's and I would hate to see the Early Childhood Center close.

Please, reconsider the closing of the early child learning center. St. Kate’s has educated thousands of women to lead and to influence for more than a century; with young women often come children. These women need affordable, quality childcare in proximity to school. It is essential. It allows these young women who may not have easy access to transportation to go to one location. I remember when I worked in financial aid and a thin, blonde student was sitting on the stairs outside the office, crying. I asked what was wrong. She said she was living on campus and had no food for herself or her two year old. That was more than twenty years ago. I’ve never forgotten her tears or her fear. Our reputation is one of caring for those who are vulnerable and the least of these. It is inconsistent with our values to so abruptly discontinue caring for our children. These are our children. Please, reconsider. Sincerely, Bonnie Steele

ECC was life changing for our family. High quality, affordable pre-school for our two kids. They entered kindergarten both academically and socially capable and confident and St. Kate's played a huge role in that.

As a St. Catherine University alum and former employee of the university, I am deeply saddened to hear of the ECC closure. St. Kate's educates women to lead and influence, and that certainly starts with the youngest generation, let alone the opportunities the Center has provided to students and the community alike. I hope the university will reconsider, or at the very least, provide additional information as a form of closure to families.

I was an Elementary Education - I am licensed to teach PreK - Grade 6 - student at St. Kate's from 1981 - 85. I had the most awesome experience student teaching at the Montessori School in January of 1985, I, personally, would so hate to see this program discontinued as it was such a benefit to me as a St. Kate's student, not to mention, to the families it served and currently serve. Please reconsider this decision.

Please dont close this valued community resource!

Be active, creative, assertive, and trust that a solution can be found allowing continuation of this training site. This decision is disappointing in the lack of trust and creativity demonstrated by the administration in just giving up without a positive campaign to permanently endow this early childhood center that is needed for more than one certification/degree program. This decision reflects on the overall condition of support across the campus. Be assertive and creative, trust in enlisting the communities affected, including foundations fo creating a campaign.

Please reconsider and keep this valuable childcare option open!

Think with your heart instead of your wallet!

I wish there was a way to keep this wonderful caring childcare center open that is attended by my grandson.

This was by far the best childcare program in the area. It’s a community asset and resource worth saving. I’m devastated for the hardworking staff, families and kids that were given little prior notice.