Outdoor Preschool Licensing Pilot in MD

There are several reasons licensure is needed including:
 

1) Expand access to programs for families who rely on childcare subsidies, which only apply to licensed programs;
 

2) Allow longer operating hours to expand care to more families in need of care;

3) Increase access to special education services; 

4) Vet teachers and programs to ensure health and safety practices to keep children safe; and

5) Provide greater access to state-approved professional development funds for nature-based educators and programs.
 

In short, outdoor preschool licensing provides more viable choices to families who want nature-based preschool and childcare. While not every family may choose an immersive, 100% outdoor preschool or childcare setting for their child, it must be available as an option to any family who wants it. (Visit anbe.org/OPL-MD for more details.)
 

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The Back Story

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In January 2020 (prior to the pandemic), ANBE's Executive Director, Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, formed an Outdoor Preschool Licensing Advisory Team (OPL) to examine the need for licensure of outdoor nature-based preschool in Maryland. Efforts were already underway in Washington State. Given the support for environmental literacy in Maryland and the many outdoor preschools already in operation, we were in an ideal position to pursue an outdoor preschool licensing pilot.

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In 2022, champion Delegate Michele Guyton (District 42B) proposed HB376 to establish an Outdoor Preschool Licensing Pilot Program in Maryland. The bill had seven co-sponsors and groundswell of community support including: the Maryland State Child Care Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, North American Association for Environmental Education, and the Maryland Association for Outdoor Environmental Education, just to name a few! The bill was also endorsed by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. But the bill didn't get a vote. It never moved forward from the Ways and Means Committee. 

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For the rest of 2022 and into 2023, we continued to work with community members, early childhood advocates, public policy and lawmakers to inform them about the bill and the urgent need for it to pass. Members of the Outdoor Preschool Licensing Advisory Team continued to do the work of introducing lawmakers to the benefits of outdoor preschool. More OPLAT members hosted delegates and a lawmakers at their outdoor preschools. This provided an experiential learning session for lawmakers and gave insight into our goals. These visits were crucial to demonstrate how joyful and effective outdoor preschools can be. OPLAT members also continued to work closely with families, helping them understand why their advocacy matters, too.
 

On Feb. 1, 2023, Delegate Guyton introduced House Bill 525 to the Maryland House, this time with thirteen co-sponsors! We testified to the Ways and Means Committee on 2/10, then proceeded to negotiate amendments. On 3/2, the Early Childhood Subcommittee voted unanimously to pass the bill with amendments. The same afternoon, the Ways and Means Committee passed the bill and several more Delegates asked to join as co-sponsors! (Watch voting here.) It passed in the House on 3/9 with 26 co-sponsors!

On the Senate side, we testified for the Education, Energy, and the Environment Senate Committee on Wed., March 22, 2023. On Wed., March 29 the committee passed HB 525 unanimously with no additional amendments. After Senate review in the 2nd and 3rd reader, we learned Wed., April 5 that it passed in the Senate. On Tues., May 16, 2023 Governor Moore signed HB525 into law, making it official! Maryland is the second in the nation to create a path towards licensing outdoor preschools via a pilot program. We did it!!!