Washington state is a leader and early adopter and leader in Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) child care licensing and programming.
ONB programs offer regularly scheduled care for preschool-age children, school-age children, or mixed-age children (preschool and school-age combined), for periods of less than 24 hours a day when children are not in school.
DCYF currently licenses 21 Outdoor Nature-Based programs.
If you are interested in applying for an Outdoor Nature-Based child care license, send an email to dcyf.outdoornaturebasedchildcare@dcyf.wa.gov.
- ONB programs can participate in Early Achievers, ECEAP, and child care subsidy programs (including Working Connections Child Care).
- Tribal programs can participate in ONB programming through an interlocal agreement with DCYF.
- ONB programs are eligible to apply for grants that are available to all licensed child care providers
What does an ONB Program Look Like?
View this video that highlights ONB programs across Washington state:
ONB Child Care Orientation
If you are interested in becoming licensed to operate an ONB program, you must complete an orientation.
You are required to apply for two separate licenses, if you are planning to offer educational activities indoors as part of your ONB programming– one for ONB and one for the indoor space.
If your indoor space is in a residential home, you will complete the orientation for ONB and Family Home Providers.
If your indoor space is in a building zoned for commercial use, you will complete the orientation for ONB and Center Providers.
Go to the DCYF training site and search for the following orientation based on the indoor space you seek to license.
- Licensing Orientation for Outdoor Nature-Based and Family Home Providers
- Licensing Orientation for Outdoor Nature-Based and Center Providers