In a pre-election day op-ed published in BINJE on Monday, the leaders of Moms First and the state's most influential business organization urged New Jersey next governor to make affordable childcare a priority, noting this investment is essential for the state’s economy.
NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka and Moms First Founder & CEO Reshma Saujani pointed out that in New Jersey, the cost of care for two children now tops $26,000 a year — more than most families pay on their mortgage or tuition at Rutgers.
“Childcare is one of the biggest drivers of unaffordability in the state, and it’s quietly constraining New Jersey’s growth,” they said. “The state loses $3.6 billion each year in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue because parents, primarily mothers, can’t find or afford care.”
The next governor and Legislature must view childcare as a core economic investment, they said. Three actions are needed to address childcare affordability challenges.
- Stabilize the workforce. New Jersey’s childcare educators are more than twice as likely as other workers to live in poverty. The state should ensure all childcare educators qualify for the Child Care Assistance Program, expand apprenticeship and training pathways, and include them in student loan forgiveness programs like Pay It Forward NJ. Compensation must be competitive with public-school teachers with similar experience, supported by public funds and targeted tax credits.
- Modernize preschool expansion. Public preschool expansion must be built in partnership with private and community-based providers, not at their expense. Siekerka and Saujani called for a mixed-delivery model — where public funds support both school-based and licensed community providers — to expand capacity, keep small businesses afloat, and offer parents more accessible options.
- Incentivize business participation. Siekerka and Saujani called for the enactment of a tax credit for employer-provided childcare, which rewards companies that invest in on-site care, partnerships with local centers, or direct stipends for employees. Such a law would be a win-win for businesses and parents alike.
To read the entire op-ed in BINJE go here.
To view a 60-second video of NJBIA’s recommendations for affordable childcare – part of its Blueprint Minute video series – go here.
