Since 2001, CROCUS faculty and students have worked on a variety of research projects relating to children and public policy. Many of them have focused on early childhood education, including research on pre-K programs, child care programs, and Head Start.

The Center for Research on Children in the United States (CROCUS) was established in 2001 with start-up funds from the Foundation for Child Development. A joint venture between the Georgetown Public Policy Institute (GPPI) and the Georgetown University Department of Psychology, CROCUS is directed by William T. Gormley, University Professor, and Deborah A. Phillips, Professor of Psychology. Several faculty members and graduate students are also active participants.

Funders have included the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Foundation for Child Development, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, the National Institute for Early Education Research (supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts), and the A.L. Mailman Family Foundation.