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Nature Preschools in the United States: Results of a New National Survey
June 15, 2023
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.
-Jimmy Carter, former US president
-Jimmy Carter, former US president
The Natural Start Alliance has just released a comprehensive national survey of nature preschools in the United States. They note that nature-based preschools have expanded rapidly in the last decade. While celebrating that nature preschools are serving more multiple language learners and more children with disabilities than in the past, and that men and gender non-conforming staff are better represented in nature preschools than other types of preschools, the report expresses concerns about equity: “Children who are Black or Latino are less likely to enroll in nature preschools, while children who are White are more likely, and this trend has not improved significantly since 2017. The racial and ethnic makeup of educators in nature preschools mirrors that of children.”
They suggest, “To promote continued, and more equitable, growth in nature preschools, the Natural Start Alliance calls for licensing outdoor preschools, along with more support for professional training and professional networks for nature-based educators. Because nature preschools are leading the way in demonstrating the effectiveness of early childhood nature-based education, continued growth in these programs can help shift our systems to bring the benefits of nature-based education into every program, for every child.”
Reminder: June 29 is International Mud Day! Enjoy the mud any way you wish, and share your plans, stories and photos with the hashtag #wfmudday so we can follow along!
They suggest, “To promote continued, and more equitable, growth in nature preschools, the Natural Start Alliance calls for licensing outdoor preschools, along with more support for professional training and professional networks for nature-based educators. Because nature preschools are leading the way in demonstrating the effectiveness of early childhood nature-based education, continued growth in these programs can help shift our systems to bring the benefits of nature-based education into every program, for every child.”
Reminder: June 29 is International Mud Day! Enjoy the mud any way you wish, and share your plans, stories and photos with the hashtag #wfmudday so we can follow along!
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsAlbany JCC
Feura Bush, New York, United States
I have tried several times to reset my password with either no response or a response so long afterward that I have left work and it expires.
Please advise.
Eugene, OR, United States
Good question, Leslie! There's more packed into the report than I could address in one brief EED. They did mention that many nature preschools are operating at longer hours/more days than in the past. This is another area where licensing standards specific to outdoor programming might help.
From the report: "A majority of nature preschools (57%) offer full-day or both full-day and half-day programs...About one-third of nature preschools offer before- or after-care options to extend their hours..."
UMD Children's Place
Duluth, MN, United States
Just wondering if Natural Start Alliance also looked into the cost location, and daily schedules of Nature Preschools? From my experience, it seems that most Nature Preschool's programming hours are often 1/2 day or MW or TTH. And daily hours of operation are much less. Families needing Full Time Care and Programming are not able to attend. Additionally, many families need care for their Infants & Toddlers as well as Preschool Children. Some Nature Preschools offer limited 1/2 program/care but usually for older Toddlers. Although some Nature Preschool's offer subsidized tuition, it also seems that Nature Preschool's rates are higher. While I am deeply supportive of Nature Play & Nature Preschool's, it is concerning that many important variables relating to accessibility & affordability are not yet being addressed.
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