Supporting All Children's Ability to Access the Benefits of Nature and the Outdoors
Around the country, Outdoor and Nature-Based Early Care and Education (ONBECE) advocates are taking meaningful strides toward licensing outdoor and nature-based preschools and childcare programs, laying the groundwork for more equitable access and consideration of children's relationship with nature-based and outdoor learning. As most states do not currently include outdoor and nature-based learning experiences in licensing or other regulatory guidance, the ability to license nature-based and outdoor preschools has significant implications for regulation, implementation, and access to outdoor and nature-based (ONB) early learning experiences.
In particular, licensing supports the ability of preschools and childcare programs to tap into state and federal childcare tuition subsidies that can help address economic barriers for families. Licensing also enables programs to participate in quality ratings and improvement systems (QRIS) and can improve representation of high-quality ONB programming in state-based professional trainings and childcare databases. Given that over 50% of nature preschools access or operate on state and federal lands, ONB licensing can additionally help make the case for improved interagency alignment around supporting young children's ongoing relationship the natural world during a time of rapid climate and environmental change.
The Natural Start Alliance supports ONB preschool and childcare licensing as an important step toward addressing persistent disparities in access to nature-based experiences in nature preschools and beyond. Our policy efforts emphasize building state-level capacity and supporting the creation of policies that are safe, equitable, and effective. These include convening the Regional Network Alliance and Outdoor Preschool Policy Huddle; providing technical consultation and guidance to state agencies, professional organizations, and national policy partners; provision of ONB Policy resources; supporting access to quality research through the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education; and representing ONB Policy progress across the national landscape. For questions, or to get involved, contact Natural Start's Senior Policy Advisor, Kit Harrington at [email protected].
ONB Licensing Map
The Outdoor Preschool Licensing Map is designed to support awareness, advocacy, and engagement with ONB preschool and childcare policy efforts. This tool incorporates our current best understanding of ONB licensing efforts, but may not reflect the entirety of recent progress.
Learn More About ONB Policy:
- Video: The State of Outdoor and Nature-Based Preschool Licensing Advocacy: Debrief of recent progress, lessons learned, and future directions for ONB Policy
- Community Spotlight: Outdoor, Nature-Based Policies Boost Equity in Action (YOPP): Describes the success of ONB licensing efforts
- Natural Start Forum: Outdoor Preschool Policy Action Framework: Debrief and discussion of the Willamette Partnership's Outdoor Preschool Framework
- Feature Story: Licensing Outdoor & Nature-Based Preschools, In Washington State and Beyond: Lessons for advocates interested in pursuing ONB licensing policy
- Webinar Recap: Washington Outdoor Preschool Pilot: Explanation of Washington State's Groundbreaking Outdoor Preschool Pilot
- Video: Outdoor Nature-Based Facilities (WA DCYF): Overview of Washington State's Outdoor Nature-Based Childcare Licensing
- Foundational Quality Standards for Outdoor Nature-Based Child Care: Washington States Outdoor and Nature-Based Licensing Regulations