SDSU Laboratory Preschool       SDSU Kindergarten Laboratory       SDSU OST Program

History of the Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education Preschool:

The Dept. of Home Economics began the Home Management House in January of 1921.  It was a site for all Home Economics majors to manage a home and take on the responsibility of caring for a child for a semester.  There were 10 children who came to live at the Home Management House from 1921 to 1939. The Home Management House was located on the present site of the Family Resource Management Center which houses the Campus Police Department and the Family Resource Network.

Mary Alice Pfister, Minneapolis, MN – Jan. 1921 to June 1922.

Jean Christie, Battle Lake, MN – Fall and Winter quarters, 1922 to 1923.

Harry Stevenson, Brookings, SD – Spring quarter 1923.

Esther Spitzer, Mpls, MN  1923 to 1925.

Arnold Morrell, Sioux Falls Children Home – 1925 to 1927.

Verba Cook, Brookings, SD – 1927 to 1930.

Ruth May Hall, Brookings, SD – 1930 to 1934.

Lola Swedland, Brookings, SD – 1934 to 1935.

Fern Halstead, Brookings, SD  - 1935 to 1937.

Sona Wolfsmith, Brookings, SD – 1937 to 1939.

In 1928, a laboratory play group was established by Helen Young for new Child Development majors to observe and to assist with the young children.  In 1929 it was moved to the basement of East Men's Hall and became the Nursery School site with one classroom of 15 -20 children.  Eastman's Hall was located on the present site of the SDSU Alumni Center.

In 1976, the Helen Young Preschool moved from East Men's Hall to is present site in Pugsley Center with three classrooms.  In the mid 80's, the morning toddler sessions were added.  In 1998, the laboratory classrooms were renovated making the site ADA accessible.  Also, at that time the laboratory's name changed to the SDSU Laboratory Preschool.

In 2000, Phase II renovated faculty space, the kitchen, a classroom, the student resource room, an assessment room, and the indoor large motor lab for days when the weather did not permit going outside.

In 2004, the Kindergarten laboratory was added as a collaborative effort between the Early Childhood Education faculty and the Brookings School District.  The Out of School Time Program was also added through a grant from the state of South Dakota.

In 2006, an area was added to the northeast side of Pugsley Center. This new 2800 square foot expansion includes a documentation room, conference room, parent gathering area, and art studios. During this time, the center was also renamed to the Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education as the Fishback Family provided the lead gift to support the expansion.