Outdoor Preschool Licensing: Licensing can support small businesses and nonprofits, increase access for low-income children, improve safety, and make child care centers competitive for federal & grant funding. Washington S.B.5151, OregonH.B.2717, MarylandH.B.525 license or pilot licensing outdoor child care centers.
Outdoor School For All: Outdoor learning grant programs can increase access to outdoor opportunities, especially for rural, small, and/or low-income communities. Georgia’s (S.R.203) outdoor learning committee created an outdoor learning grant program; Maine (L.D.1817) and Washington (H.B.2078) created outdoor learning grant programs for schools.
Outdoor Education in Curriculum: New Hampshire S.B.266, New JerseyA.5313, and New MexicoS.B.289 create opportunities for outdoor education in state curriculum. Georgia S.B.202 would establish an outdoor education pilot program to understand state need for outdoor facilities and curriculum.
Green Schools: In addition to up to $64 per square foot in cost savings, efficient (‘green’) schools offer real-world learning opportunities that promote outdoor learning. MarylandS.B.383/H.B.531 increases the number of green schools and annually evaluates the program’s cost effectiveness; Maine (L.D.612) established a Green Schools Coordinator.
