New Jersey working parents, legislators and advocates rallied at the State House on Thursday to call for sustained state investment to make childcare more affordable.
The lack of affordable childcare costs New Jersey an estimated $5 billion a year in lost wages, state tax revenue and business productivity, according to Start Strong NJ, which organized the rally.
“New Jersey needs a lasting commitment to affordable childcare so families can find care they trust, educators can earn a living, and providers can keep serving their communities,” said Sharon Levine, Start Strong NJ campaign director.
After the rally, advocates joined a joint hearing on affordable childcare held inside the State House by the Assembly Aging and Human Services, Commerce and Economic Development, and Education committees.
Start Strong NJ is a statewide public advocacy campaign established in 2025 to tackle the rising costs and limited availability of childcare in New Jersey. Earlier this year, the coalition released policy recommendations that include guaranteed childcare subsidies, higher family tax credits, and increased compensation for early educators.
Amanda Cardone, founder and owner of Tiny Little Pieces Learning Center in Bellmawr and Florence, said families cannot afford high tuition and teachers deserve better pay, but providers cannot absorb the gap.
“We cannot keep asking parents to pay more, teachers to accept less, and owners to go without a paycheck,” Cardone said. “New Jersey needs sustained investment that keeps care affordable for families, pays educators fairly, and keeps providers’ doors open.”
