As part of the process of reviewing the Child Care and Early Years Act, the Ministry of Education in Ontario put out a call for submissions to discuss several components of the Act, including the potential to license Forest and Outdoor Programs.

In response, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (AFCS), together with Child Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC) and Outdoor Play Canada (OPC), held a province-wide forum on October 30th, 2020 to present on the history and value of Forest and Outdoor Programs, address the discussion questions presented by the Ministry of Education, hear from attendees including educators, policy makers, government officials, and researchers on this opportunity, and discuss a joint response to the Ministry.

Following that forum, AFCS, with support from CNAC and OPC, put together a discussion document and invited participants of the forum to sign and endorse it. The submission was sent to the Ministry of Education on November 20th, 2020, on National Child Day.

Read the submission here: Forest and outdoor program submission.