NEW BRUNSWICK — March 23, 2025 — A new study from the Rutgers Center for Women and Work — a Burke Foundation grantee and core member of the First 1,000 Days NJ Policy Coalition — is sparking statewide conversation about how New Jersey can transform its child care system to better serve families. The report, which analyzed the state’s current child care assistance program, found that outdated eligibility rules are leaving hundreds of thousands of children without support — and that simple policy changes could dramatically expand access.
The study, widely covered by WNYC (NPR), NJ.com, NJ Spotlight News, and NJBIZ, revealed that many working families spend up to 30% of their income on care but still do not qualify for assistance under current guidelines. By raising income thresholds and aligning them with federal recommendations, New Jersey could make child care more affordable for nearly 200,000 additional children.
The findings also highlight the urgent need to support part-time and non-traditional workers — groups often excluded from existing programs despite their significant caregiving responsibilities. The Rutgers team argues that closing these gaps is essential to advancing equity and economic stability for families, particularly those navigating low-wage work and inconsistent schedules.
“Access to quality, affordable child care is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for families and for our economy,” said Debra Lancaster, Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work. “By modernizing our eligibility rules, New Jersey can ensure that more children get the early education they deserve and that parents are able to stay in the workforce.”
The report’s release comes amid mounting momentum for bold child care reform. Advocates, policymakers, and business leaders alike are calling for solutions that recognize child care as essential infrastructure — foundational not only to children’s development but to New Jersey’s economic competitiveness.
The Burke Foundation and its partners in the First 1,000 Days Policy Coalition continue to advance these policy conversations, building bipartisan support for solutions that will strengthen families and unlock opportunities for the state’s youngest learners.
