The Holway Child Study Center at Lasell University was started in 1956 in response to a need for an on-campus laboratory school for the Early Childhood Education program and for a nursery school in the village of Auburndale. It was originally located at the Berkeley House, and in its first year there were nine four-year-olds and one teacher.

In 1964, the Center moved to the Rockwell Estate and 70 Studio Road, hence the origin of “Rockwell." An afternoon class was added, and in 1967 a three-year-old class was added. Rockwell continued to grow with the later addition of the transition to kindergarten program. As the number of children grew to 50, staff increased. In 1979, the Center was accredited by the city of Newton for our program for five-year-olds.

In 1989 “The Barn” was established as the second early childhood center on the Lasell campus when a need arose for a full day program. The school started, and still remains, a program with five classrooms serving children from three months to five years. Similar to Rockwell, The Barn has also been utilized as a laboratory school for different departments of Lasell to support the philosophy of Connected Learning.

Connected learning is the Lasell educational philosophy describing the process of integrating ideas, concepts, and direct experience through action, combining projects, simulations, and real-world situations with direct, critical reflection. At Lasell, these components are included in every course allowing students to further develop and apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. When students graduate from Lasell, they have had extensive exposure to concepts, practices, and professionals in their career field.

In 2019, the Centers name changed to Holway Early Childhood Centers. Additionally, that year Lasell College became Lasell University.