St. louis’ north side is losing one of its long-time, accredited child care centers.

The Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center said Tuesday it will shutter its Early Learning Center at month’s end because of declining enrollment and revenue.

The nonprofit agency has operated the facility at 4411 North Newstead for children, six weeks through five years, since 1999. The center currently serves 38 children and employs 12 staff members. At its peak it enrolled about 50 children.

“It’s sad news for our children our parents and our staff,” said Richard King, CEO of Annie Malone.

The organization will focus its resources on core residential and service programs for abused, neglected and abandoned children, King said.

The Annie Malone Children’s Home got its start in 1886 as an orphanage for African American children in St. Louis.