New Jersey child care study would focus on affordability

In New Jersey, families trying to line up child care could get a new state commission focused on what it costs, where it is hard to find, and why the system still falls short for children from birth to 5. Assemblywoman Shanique Speight's bill would create the Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care and Education inside, but not under the control of, the Department of Children and Families.

The panel would be independent of department supervision, coordinate with the Governor's Office and report directly to the governor and legislature. Its job is not just to study the market. It would have to look for gaps in funding and access, then recommend ways to build a system that is both sustainable and more affordable for families.

Who gets a vote on the fix

The commission would bring together five state officials or their designees, including the commissioners of education, children and families, and human services, plus the State Treasurer and the executive director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The remaining 14 members would be public appointees representing higher education, business, financial services, labor, family child care providers, licensed child care centers, Head Start programs, school districts with preschool programs, parents and statewide early childhood advocacy groups.

The bill also would fund the work with an appropriation from the General Fund, in whatever amount is needed to carry it out. The commission could hold hearings, form subcommittees and task forces, and would have to issue an interim report within 18 months and a final report within 24 months, including recommendations on funding, workforce development and equitable access.