Save the St. Catherine's Early Childhood Center

St Kate's hasn't had their heart in the community for a long time. I think that the other commenters suggestions that St Thomas help St Kate's figure out how to play a contributing role in uplifting the local community is a good one, but it's failed so many times in the past that any partnership is dead. It is my understanding, through the grapevine, that St Thomas doesn't want to have anything to do with St Kate's. It's unfortunate that we can't turn to them to help uphold a female run business that provides so much value to working families.

When I taught developmental psychology at St. Catherine I had my students do observations of the ECC and it was a meaningful opportunity to connect in-classroom and out-of-classroom learning. I understand that financial circumstances might make continuing the center unfeasible, but parents simply CANNOT find quality childcare in the Twin Cities in three months. Wait lists are often a year or more. Current families deserve more notice.

Please find a way to keep this wonderful program going.

Surely the St. Thomas business school could help you manage the business side of this. You sound quite inept at running it and giving up is a terribly weak minded path to take. Do I have to tell you to man up! Do I? Shame on you.

We cannot afford this integral part of our community.

We need more quality early childhood education, not less!

As a parent of a child currently attending the ECC, we are devastated at this decision. As others mentioned, there was absolutely NO involvement from St Kate's University leadership in speaking to stakeholders to consider other alternatives to closure. This decision is far beyond simply relocating students and families - it reaches far into the depths of St Paul community and the university's reputation as a whole. Please consider raising your voice on this issue in any way possible!! Thank you.

Please keep this early childhood center open. Many parents depend on a reputable and reliable place like this for their kids.

Short notice is inconsiderate and makes for an unnecessarily anxious situation for parents.

This is an outstanding preschool with highly qualified teachers. Staff members and families should have been involved in this process. Every effort should be made to keep this school open!

Both our grandchildren have enjoyed and profited from the ECC. It has been a wonderful addition to their lives and should be continued. Early childhood education should be a top priority for St. Catherine's. The lack of input and the short warning timeframe are appalling choices by St. Cate's and have left all of us indignant and puzzled.

Effective childhood education is the foundation of effective society. Your program offers a wonderful and necessary opportunity. Figure out a way to keep it going- and/or support your team and families.

I want to first thank you and the amazing teachers who have given so much to our granddaughter. Viola has loved being at the school for the first time this year. The service you provide of the children as well as the parents has been a blessing. It saddens me that after so many years you would close your doors. Many families are depending on you. Childcare alone, not to mention the quality teaching, will be very hard to find on such sort notice. Please reconsider this consequential decision. At the very least, please give parents another year to make these very important changes for their children’s well being. Thank you for your consideration.

My son Oszkár loves this center. The teachers and community is amazing. He is thriving there. Please keep it open.

I'm not an ECV member, but my child attended early childcare with a current student, and I know how much this school means to their family! Please do not leave them in the lurch!

Please don’t discontinue such a highly respected and EFFECTIVE children’s early education and daycare facility.

The ECC is important not only for the families and staff directly involved, but, in my opinion, for the mission of Saint Catherine's University. The presence of the youngest students brings vitality and real life perspective to Campus.

The excellent ECC program has supported our family’s educational goals for two generations now. I currently have a granddaughter who is attending the Montessori program and has benefitted greatly. I am shocked and saddened to learn that, with little notice and community involvement, St. Catherine’s leadership has decided to abandon this important educational mission and is ignoring the needs and priorities of these young families in our St. Paul community.

Our granddaughter has benefitted greatly from this school. Please reconsider it’s closing, or at least adjust the timeline to allow parents a longer window to find alternative schools. Thank you very much.

Alumni of MLIS and MSW programs. Parent of a 2.5-year-old who is doing great in the ECC .