Outdoor Nature-Based Child Care Workgroup
During the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 2717 passed and requires The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to create a pathway to license child care programs that primarily serve children in outdoor settings. DELC is hosting a community workgroup to support the development of Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for these programs. The goal of the workgroup is to gather valuable feedback on topics that pertain to outdoor learning environments and discuss how OARs can be structured to support the health and safety of children in these programs. This work will be completed prior to the review of the full ruleset that will be conducted by a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC).
DELC would like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in the workgroup:
- Representatives of child care programs familiar with implementing outdoor nature-based programming
- Operators of outdoor nature-based programs who are recorded through the Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD)
- Subject matter experts who have experience in administrative rule development specific to outdoor nature-based programming
- Parents/family members of young children
- Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
- Early Learning Hub representatives
- Tribal Nation representatives
- Child Care Resource and Referral representatives
Reimbursement:
Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to the workgroup.
The application period opens February 12, 2024 and closes on March 8, 2024. Meetings will begin in April. Three to four meetings will be held, with one meeting scheduled per week. The meetings will be held virtually. Meeting days and times will be finalized with the selected participants.
For questions about participation, please contact:
Carol Petersen carol.a.petersen@delc.oregon.gov