The child care sector has an extensive economic impact on New Jersey in its own right, but when the role it plays in other businesses’ success is considered, bolstering this industry becomes urgent.
According to an op-ed by NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka, child care is essential to New Jersey’s reopening plans and its ability to recover economically. For employees to be able to return to work, they need a safe, healthy place to care for their children. During the pandemic, that is a challenge New Jersey needs to meet.
Siekerka cites a report from ReadyNation, a network of over 2,700 business leaders across the country, which estimates the lack of licensed child care for infants and toddlers could cost New Jersey’s economy $1.7 billion per year.
“So as New Jersey’s workplaces begin to reopen, bolstering the sector becomes even more urgent,” Siekerka writes for NJ Spotlight. To this end, our decision-makers must continue to look at the child care industry as “essential” — providing it with the incentives and supports necessary.”
