University Temple Children's School was founded in September 1970 as an independent, non-profit, child care agency, with the goal of serving University of Washington students and faculty as well as families in the surrounding community.

In December of that year, the school became one of the first agencies in the State of Washington to be licensed by the department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to serve children under two years of age. 

In October 1986, the center received accreditation from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, one of only 137 centers nationwide to achieve this recognition.

UTCS today represents one of Seattle’s outstanding centers for early childhood development by virtue of its commitment to child-centered learning in a holistic, nurturing, and safe environment.