The Evaluation of a Nature-Based Childcare Program: Findings, Lessons Learned and Next Steps

Childcare programs delivered outdoors can provide an opportunity to reintroduce, reinforce and supplement outdoor play during early childhood. In addition, outdoor childcare programs may positively affect practitioner wellbeing, professional engagement and the quality of education being delivered. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding the health and developmental impacts of nature-based childcare programs and more research is needed.

As part of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play, researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute are evaluating a nature-based childcare program in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The findings from the first evaluation timepoint, along with the research methods used to evaluate the program, will be presented and discussed.