What’s New?

New study: center-based child care options for N.J. infants and toddlers in short supply

Posted on June 2, 2017

While finding child care is a challenge for many working parents, a new study reveals a deep shortage of options for New Jersey’s very young children. The report, No Room for Babies: Center-based Infant-Toddler Child Care in Short Supply by Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), finds that less than a third of children under age 3 have access to child care to help them grow and develop.

(with option to filter by participation in Grow NJ Kids, NJ’s child care rating and improvement system)

New Jersey Kids Count 2017 Out!

Posted on May 23, 2017

2017 NJ KIDS COUNT draws attention to federal investments in children
#NJVotes4Kids campaign urges NJ gubernatorial candidates to put kids’ issues center stage
For the nearly 2 million children that call New Jersey home, the latest child well-being data from the 2017 New Jersey KIDS COUNT show progress in the areas of health and economic well-being, thanks in part to the vital supports of federal safety-net programs.

Read more.

Download report and view interactive data charts.

New study shows quality child care is out of reach for many NJ families

Posted on April 25, 2017

NJ’s Child Care Quality Rating System Shortchanges Providers Caring for Low-Income Children

Despite New Jersey’s implementation of a child care rating system that helps working parents find the best care for their young children, a new study by Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) shows that many child care centers in low-income communities would face enormous challenges meeting and sustaining these higher state standards that define quality – unless the state is able to provide the necessary resources.

“This report provides crucial recommendations for changing how New Jersey pays child care providers in order to support high-quality care for our youngest children – particularly those from low income families,” said Arturo Brito, Executive Director of The Nicholson Foundation, which funded this study.

Read news release

Read NJ 101.5’s story on the dilemma facing child care centers

Read the executive summary with ACNJ’s recommendations
Out of Reach: Sustaining a High Quality Child Care System in New Jersey

Read the report Quality Costs How Much? Estimating the Cost of Quality Child Care in New Jersey

View PowerPoint Presentation

This report is one of several reports to be released in the upcoming months to look at child care issues in New Jersey.