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The University's School of Education sponsored preschool began in 1932, largely through the efforts of Dean Leslie O. Cummings. It was named the Children's Cooperative Group. Patterned after the Ruggles School in Boston, the school's primary purpose was to provide observation opportunities for professional preparation in teaching. It was initially located on the second floor of Hayes Hall on the South Campus.

Dr. Ruth E. McGrath was involved with the school as a teacher from 1932 until 1949, when she became Chair of the Nursery School. Dr. McGrath was named director of the School in 1959, a position she held until her retirement in 1979.

Overtime, the Cooperative Nursery School moved to several locations: the first floor of Hayes Hall, the Engineering Building, one of the houses the University owned on Winspear, and the third floor of the University Presbyterian Church. Finally, the School settled into its present location at 15 Baldy Hall. There it officially became known as the "Early Childhood Research Center."

When Dr. McGrath retired in 1979, Christine Z. Cataldo was appointed Director of the newly named "Early Childhood Research Center" (ECRC), a post she held until her death in 1985. Dr. James L. Hoot became the director of the ECRC in 1986. Dr. Hoot was instrumental in adding the Robert Leather's playground in the fall of 1989, and through his efforts also obtained a $200,000 endowment from the Fisher Price and Quaker Oats Foundation Endowment. The School's new name became "The Fisher Price Endowed Early Childhood Research Center."

In 1989 the ECRC became among the first in the nation to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. Reaccreditation was granted in 1995 under the guidance of Associate Director, Dr. Elaine T. Bartkowiak. The ECRC is in compliance with the highest level of quality standards determined by the 90,000 members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Fisher Price Endowed Early Childhood Research Center is administered through the Department of Learning and Instruction. Preschool programs are offered to 75 children, ages 2-5. Tuition fees pay for the teaching assistants and center supplies. The ECRC in addition to providing a superior quality, developmentally appropriate, multicultural, anti-biased preschool education also provides research training and consultation opportunities to the Western New York Community.