Posted on September 30, 2026
Advocates for Children of New Jersey applauds the General Assembly’s passage of A5107, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, which would require New Jersey's Department of Human Services to conduct review of reimbursement rates paid by the state's child care assistance program to certain child care providers.
Access to child care that meets the realities of working families is essential to a strong early care and education system. As families’ work schedules vary, providers need the resources to offer care when it is needed. Examining reimbursement rates is an important step toward understanding how New Jersey can better support providers and expand access to care for families.
For families with work schedules that vary from week to week or fall outside standard child care hours, having access to care that fits their schedules can be critical to maintaining employment and economic stability. At the same time, providers must have the resources to sustain these services and meet the needs of the children and families they serve.
Understanding whether current reimbursement rates adequately reflect the costs of providing care during non-traditional hours can help identify opportunities to strengthen the child care system. ACNJ appreciates Assemblywoman Speight’s continued leadership on child care and her efforts to advance policies that support providers and the families who rely on them.
