Lakeside Early Learning advocates for emergency childcare plans

DULUTH, Minn.–A devastating pipe burst at a local childcare center has sparked a bigger conversation surrounding childcare operations in the region.

Providers, senators and commissioners met today to discuss potential emergency plans, to prevent closures.

The conference comes after the pipe burst at lakeside early learning, which happened late January and resulted in a 6-day closure.

Lakeside Early Learning staff said, St. Louis County already faces a shortage of 2,000 spots.

So, when a childcare center has to close, alternative options are slim.

“Childcare operates on razor thin margins, there is no emergency funds when we experience something like a pipe burst, it could be us closing permanently. We were incredibly lucky to have our community rally around us and a big building, so we had a unique situation where we were able to reopen. But that is not the reality that many providers would face,” Kayley Spencer, Executive Director of Lakeside Early Learning said.

Spencer said, if Lakeside Early Learning did close, the county would be short an additional 131 spots.