The center was officially established Jan. 19, 1970. Mary Soens-Platner ’71, a junior psychology student at the time, led the project with the help of psychology professor Davis Dirlam and art professor Charles Peterson. Mary wished to create an on-campus nursery school where developmental psychology students could work to broaden their laboratory experience.

After obtaining a child care license from Brown County, Mary’s splendid vision became a reality. The Children’s Center was originally located in the basement of Burke Hall, one of the campus student residency buildings. Seven St. Norbert College education and psychology students worked in the center during its beginning stages, and professors Dirlam and Shemky were on call. Years later, Mary’s nursery school project enabled the college to establish a teacher certification program in early childhood education. 

Today, the Children’s Center offers a developmental child care program and a 4K program. Annually, the center serves an average of 50 families, employs three full-time staff and about 25 part-time student workers.  Together, the team works with about 45 children daily (the children of students, faculty, staff and community members), and provides learning opportunities for about 350 St. Norbert College students in psychology and education.