Outdoor Nature-Based Education Policy

Thanks to the efforts of nature-based practitioners working to license outdoor nature-based childcare programs, national policymakers have begun recognizing a new area to early childhood education policy in the United States—Outdoor Nature Based (ONB) Early Learning Policy. 

Following successful organizing and advocacy by preschool providers in Washington State to license outdoor nature based programs, many early childhood systems around the country are now beginning to accommodate outdoor play and learning in early care and education settings and beyond. Natural Start recognizes ONB licensing as a key step toward systems change in that it:

• Extends the same standards of safety and effectiveness accompanying traditional regulations to natural, outdoor-based settings.
• Promotes inclusive and culturally responsive access to nature-rich early childhood learning environments.
• Leads to the creation of new teaching and learning competencies and other resources that integrate the benefits of nature connection for all early education settings.
• Establishes a critical framework for making contextually informed decisions about children's health and safety indoors and out.
• Expands recognition of the impact of environmental injustice on young children's learning and development.

ONB Licensing is about more than just allowing preschools and childcare centers to operate primarily or entirely outdoors. The expertise and partnership developed by state agencies, regional networks, and national partners engaging on outdoor and nature-based regulatory change can positively influence the full spectrum of early childhood policy; helping change how we understand, prioritize, and resource young children's relationship with the natural world through a time of rapid environmental change.