Nurturing the Future: Reinvesting in Laboratory Schools as Professional Hubs for Teacher Education, Innovation, Outreach, and Knowledge Production

University-based child development laboratory school programs have a long and rich history and have played a critical role in expanding the ever-growing science base that underpins the early childhood field. Despite their role in elevating professionalism in early childhood education, their relevance has been questioned at various times. In this commentary, tailored for a teacher education audience, we aim to illuminate the critical work undertaken in four early childhood education laboratory schools and illustrate their tremendous capacity. We examine how the lab schools, all housed in Research One institutions, have shown remarkable flexibility by collaborating, expanding, and adapting to changes in early childhood education and other disciplines at local, national, and international levels. We illustrate how they have fostered innovative programs for children, families, and communities; served as sites for teaching and preparation of aspiring, pre-service, and practicing teachers; and hosted, conducted, and disseminated research. Challenges and the structures and resources necessary to empower lab schools to continue engaging in this critical work are addressed. We conclude with an appeal for universities and their stakeholders to consider and renew their commitments to teacher education through their investments in lab schools.