Columbia Greenhouse, one of the oldest nursery schools in the country, was founded in 1919 by the wife of a Columbia Zoology professor to meet the needs of young academic families. The program was run for many years in apartments as a play group until Mrs. Henry Crampton and the wife of Columbia’s president, Mrs. Nicholas Murray Butler, found an abandoned greenhouse behind Johnson Hall and convinced the University to renovate it and bankroll its initial operation costs. Thus began a mutually beneficial relationship between Columbia Greenhouse and Columbia University. In 1958 Columbia removed the greenhouse to make way for its new Law School. The University offered Greenhouse classroom and office space at 424 West 116th Street and later at 404 West 116 Street as the school expanded to include additional classrooms.

Columbia Greenhouse has always looked for ways to respond to the changing needs of young, urban and often (but not exclusively) academic families. Core program hours were lengthened until 1 p.m. to include lunchtime and an extended day, including "cot time," is now an option for working parents. On the other hand, some morning and afternoon class hours remain short for families seeking a gentler regimen. Over the years, Columbia University has worked with Columbia Greenhouse to provide superlative educational services to both Columbia families and the local community.