A lack of Forest School licensing puts Virginia behind other states, and frankly, world class childcare and educational systems. In general our licensing prohibits a growth mindset when it comes to catching up with the rest of the developed world’s childcare and educational systems. Why are we so outdated? Why don’t we focus on research backed practices? The state of Virginia should change its position from regulating and prohibiting, to emboldening and uplifting. While running a licensed program, the general air from the state was that we would harm the children if they didn’t intervene. Instead, they could have offered structure and training to providers, that focused on development, social-emotional especially, and behavioral management. We can have quality programs that seek to not only aid the children in our communities, but are run in a way that instills joy in our providers. As soon as I obtained licensing, the stress of my job exponentially increased. It gave a dark cloud over something I loved. Mostly I came to discuss how confusing it is for Virginia’s licensing  to prevent true Forest Programs, but I can’t start thinking about licensing without thinking of  the many  other frustrations. Why is DOE so outdated? Why continue to reach for things that don’t work? Traditional American Preschools and Education are done- why hold on?