Accreditation
The Cedarsong Way® Accreditation and Application Process
Accreditation is open to all schools, programs, and organizations that implement The Cedarsong Way Nature Immersion Pedagogy and have at least one Cedarsong Way-certified teacher on staff.
The Cedarsong Way® Nature Pedagogy is distinguished by a commitment to significant outdoor time and complete nature immersion, allowing for unstructured flow learning, authentic play, a child-inspired emergent curriculum, place-based focus, and an inquiry-based teaching style. Nature Immersion, as Erin Kenny defined it, is “unstructured free time in nature, resulting in an intimate, deep and personal connection to the natural world.” The Cedarsong Way® is also a compassion-scaffolded method of teaching, where educators guide and coach children toward being respectful, mindful, aware of and empathetic toward all living beings.
The benefits of being a
Cedarsong Way® Accredited Program:
Quality Assurance: Accreditation affirms that an organization, school, or program meets a peer-reviewed standard of excellence recognized within the outdoor early childhood education community and by educators worldwide, enhancing your program’s reputation in the industry.
Credibility & Visibility: Accreditation is proof for funders, regulators, and families that your program has been examined by professionals outside your organization and found to meet recognized standards for best practices. Plus, accredited schools are highlighted on both the cedarsongway.org website and through our various social media accounts.
Financial Aid Eligibility: Accredited schools and programs may apply to The Cedarsong Way organization for scholarship funds to help increase equitable access to high-quality outdoor nature-based education.
Funding Opportunities: Accredited organizations may host Cedarsong Way® Residential Teacher Training programs, led by a Certified Trainer, and receive compensation as well as discounts on training enrollment for their staff. They may also host 2-day practicums for Cedarsong Way Online Foundations Course & Teacher Training participants.
Continuous Improvement: Accreditation encourages self-evaluation and ongoing, systematic improvement of operations. The process asks you to look closely at policies, pedagogy, and practices. It exposes the gaps between intention and implementation, so you can make deliberate improvements.
Professional Licensure: In multiple states, Cedarsong teacher certification helps schools meet the educational prerequisites for state licensure, and The Cedarsong Way continues to grow in recognition by state agencies.
Steps to Accreditation
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Careful and thoughtful attention should be given to each of the questions; please provide detailed answers. You must submit all required supporting documentation with your application.
Please reach out if you have any questions: info@rootsandskylearning.org
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Submit your application with all the required supporting documents and the non-refundable application fee of $500. The application fee will be applied toward the final invoice for Accreditation.
The total cost for Initial Accreditation is $1,500*
*This does not include travel & accomodation costs for the site visit
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Each application is thoroughly peer-reviewed. The review process can take up to two (2) weeks. Applicants will be given an opportunity to address any concerns prior to the application review conference.
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During this 1 hour phone or video conference, applicants will be asked to reflect or expand on aspects of their application and supporting documentation.
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The final step of the Initial Accreditation process is a site visit. This is an important part of the process, since it allows us to see how your program implements The Cedarsong Way® Nature Pedagogy.
The site visit will include:
a tour of the outdoor spaces
program observation
a meeting with teachers
We will then reflect together on any concerns and collaborate on strategies that may be necessary to enhance your program’s potential and ensure it meets the highest standards for best practices.
NOTE: The school, program, or organization being accredited will cover travel and accommodation costs for the Cedarsong representative doing the site visit. We will work together to ensure the most cost-effective visit.
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Once your school, organization, or program has been approved, you will sign an Agreement for Accreditation, which declares your ongoing commitment to maintain these standards. A signed agreement and payment in full of the Initial Accreditation fee are required to complete the process.
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Every three (3) years, your program must be reviewed to maintain your Accreditation status.
The review consists of:
submission of a renewal application
payment of a $500 renewal fee
NOTE:
If significant changes to the site, program, or pedagogy have taken place, another site visit may be required.
The Cedarsong Way emphasizes compassion scaffolding, modeling respect for the autonomy of all living beings.
Cedarsong teachers facilitate and guide through inquiry, provocations, and invitations, offering children access to the expansive learning opportunities found in all expressions of play, creativity, and exploration outdoors.
The Cedarsong Way recognizes nature as the primary teacher and allows space and time for children’s interests to guide the exploration of myriad loose parts, all the elements, and the intricate lives of other living beings.