Increasing Equity and Racial Justice in Outdoor Preschool Through Licensure
Equity and Justice
In the world of outdoor preschool, equity means that all families have a fair and just opportunity to access nature and outdoor preschools and their benefits. Not all families are able to access these programs, and the “nature gap” often falls on racial and socioeconomic lines due to a history of divestment and lack of access. Some families are going to need extra tools or adapted approaches to overcome different barriers to access, and licensure is an institutional way to address financial, logistical, and cultural barriers.
Why is Equity Important
We envision a future where every child throughout Oregon has the same opportunity to access the benefits of nature-based and outdoor preschools. Equity is important because it gives families the tools they need to be able to access outdoor preschools and authentically engage in a way that represents their communities and values.
All around Oregon, nature-based and outdoor preschool providers are already expanding their reach to more children and families by intentionally centering equity-based practices at their schools. In fact, out of fifteen nature-based and outdoor preschools we talked to in Oregon, every single one was already taking steps to address the financial, logistical, or cultural barriers that families in their community face to accessing childcare.
However, licensure continues to be a structural barrier that prevents more families from accessing outdoor preschools.
Licensing outdoor preschools not only expands childcare capacity but also advances equity by offering families more options.
“Outdoor preschool offers sensory aspects and inspiration for profound learning through free play. We have seen children who needed occupational therapy get their needs met through forest play-based programming. We have seen our children become less susceptible to illness. The children collaborate in forest settings: building a fort together takes complex social navigation and cooperation.”