Backpack: Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning Tools for Implementation
Most early care and education programs must follow state, county, and city regulations, regardless of the facility type, with each program type having its own set of rules (Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2025).
Some states, like Washington, have been developing specific licensing rules for their early childhood outdoor and nature-based programs (NAAEE, 2023). However, many states lack specific regulations, requiring outdoor and nature-based program leaders to develop policies, procedures, and expectations to address the unique nature of their programs (NAAEE, 2023).
Program leaders, educators, and parents can work together to create policies to ensure safety when using outdoor spaces more frequently and when going beyond the program facility (NAAEE, 2019).
Some states, like Washington, have been developing specific licensing rules for their early childhood outdoor and nature-based programs (NAAEE, 2023). However, many states lack specific regulations, requiring outdoor and nature-based program leaders to develop policies, procedures, and expectations to address the unique nature of their programs (NAAEE, 2023).
Program leaders, educators, and parents can work together to create policies to ensure safety when using outdoor spaces more frequently and when going beyond the program facility (NAAEE, 2019).
Safety & Risk
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Safety rules for typical early childhood programs may not be sufficient to address the needs of outdoor and nature-based programs. Develop risk assessment plans and safety policies.
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Equipment & Gear
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A fancy, beautiful outdoor play area is nice to have, but it is not required to offer quality outdoor experiences to children. Having the right gear, however, is essential.
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Professional Development & Training
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Access professional development to learn how to present materials, encourage children’s interactions, and interpret learning.
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Additional Resources
Grants and Funding
The Jeffers Foundation Grants: The Jeffers Foundation is a Minnesota philanthropic organization that provides resources to educators for outdoor and nature-based learning. They host professional development and training events, provide educators with resources, and offer a variety of grant programs for outdoor and nature-based learning.
No Child Left Inside Grant: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers the No Child Left Inside Grant Program to eligible programs in Minnesota. The program aims to support and expand efforts to connect youth to the outdoors.
No Child Left Inside Grant: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers the No Child Left Inside Grant Program to eligible programs in Minnesota. The program aims to support and expand efforts to connect youth to the outdoors.
Implementation Guidance and Program Assessment Resources
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Booklet (PDF): This document was created with local early childhood outdoor and nature-based learning experts, and it is an early childhood educator's go-to for outdoor learning.
Guidelines for Excellence Early Childhood Environmental Education - A guidebook developed by the National Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), for educators, parents, homeschoolers, administrators, policy makers, and the public
Nature-Based Early Childhood Program Assessment and Guidebook - Developed by local Minnesota-based early childhood outdoor and nature-based learning experts, this guidebook includes guidance and an assessment tool to help evaluate how a program integrates nature into its philosophy and policies, family engagement and community connections, and outdoor and indoor classroom environments and practices.
Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook - This guide, published by the NAAEE through the Natural Start Alliance, provides information on nature-based learning in preschool programs and covers teaching, environments, safety, and administration.
Nature in Early Childhood: A Toolkit - This resource from the Children and Nature Network provides educators and community leaders with a multi-layered strategy-based toolkit for embedding nature into early childhood education systems.
Guidelines for Excellence Early Childhood Environmental Education - A guidebook developed by the National Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), for educators, parents, homeschoolers, administrators, policy makers, and the public
Nature-Based Early Childhood Program Assessment and Guidebook - Developed by local Minnesota-based early childhood outdoor and nature-based learning experts, this guidebook includes guidance and an assessment tool to help evaluate how a program integrates nature into its philosophy and policies, family engagement and community connections, and outdoor and indoor classroom environments and practices.
Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook - This guide, published by the NAAEE through the Natural Start Alliance, provides information on nature-based learning in preschool programs and covers teaching, environments, safety, and administration.
Nature in Early Childhood: A Toolkit - This resource from the Children and Nature Network provides educators and community leaders with a multi-layered strategy-based toolkit for embedding nature into early childhood education systems.
References
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2025). General child care licensing information. https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplgIdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=ID_017386&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2023). Nature preschools in the united states 2022 national survey. Washington, DC: https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/staff/natstart_2022_national_survey_final_draft.pdf
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2025). General child care licensing information. https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplgIdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=ID_017386&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2023). Nature preschools in the united states 2022 national survey. Washington, DC: https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/staff/natstart_2022_national_survey_final_draft.pdf
