We are excited to share a new resource developed by the National Panel on Regulating Outdoor and Land-based ECE and supported by former BELCD students Jade Groompike, Kiera Publow, Eva Quenneville, Hannah Raudssus (who now works with OPC as a project assistant!), and Emma Zimolong: a national map tracking efforts to regulate Outdoor and Land-Based Early Childhood Education (ECE) across Canada’s provinces and territories.
Across the country, educators, organizations, and governments are exploring ways to support outdoor and Land-based approaches to early learning. These efforts vary by region, reflecting unique policy environments, cultural contexts, and educational priorities. This new map provides an overview of current initiatives, helping to highlight progress, identify emerging initiatives, and support knowledge sharing across jurisdictions.
By bringing this information together in one place, the map serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates interested in advancing outdoor and Land-based learning opportunities for young children.
As this work continues to evolve, we recognize that new developments may emerge and existing efforts may change. We welcome contributions from the outdoor and early learning community to help keep this resource current and comprehensive.
Do you know of an initiative, policy effort, or regulatory development that is not currently represented on the map? We would love to hear from you. Please send your suggestions to info@outdoorplaycanada.ca.
Together, we can build a more complete picture of the growing movement to support outdoor and Land-based early childhood education across Canada.