ST PAUL, Minn. — Three longtime child care centers in St. Paul have closed recently, and two more will shutter soon, which has leaders hosting an emergency roundtable on Thursday.

Facilities Sandcastle Early Learning Center, Hallie Q. Brown and St. Catherine Early Childhood Center closed within the last year had been open for more than 150 years combined. Children’s Country Day School and Children’s Center Montessori will close before the end of summer.

The news is putting providers and families in limbo, but experts say the industry is already in crisis.

"It requires long hours, a lot of work, with little pay," said Celeste Finn, who opened Big Wonder Child Care nearly two years ago.

Fifty students are enrolled in the space she rents from a St. Paul church. The church also helps pay f

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