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New Jersey lawmakers hear widespread testimony on child‑care crisis as providers warn of closures, staffing and regulatory gaps
Summary
Providers, parents and advocates told a joint Assembly hearing that low reimbursement rates, rising insurance and staffing costs, and conflicting facility rules are shrinking child‑care capacity across New Jersey and leaving families without affordable options.
A joint New Jersey Assembly committee hearing on the state’s child‑care system drew testimony from parents, center directors, home‑based providers and advocacy groups who described an industry under financial strain and urged legislative fixes.
Providers and advocates told lawmakers that chronic underfunding and regulatory mismatch are squeezing capacity and staffing. "I am overworked, underpaid, and burnt out," said Jordan Shields, a pre‑K teacher with the YMCA in Metuchen, describing how many early educators must hold second jobs to make ends meet. Joan Dillon, executive director of Glassboro Child Development Centers, said staffing can consume "up to 80% of our budget," and added that liability insurance recently rose markedly: "My liability insurance went up 49% from this time last year."
Home‑based providers described low public reimbursement and barriers to grant awards. "Our infant rate is $92.99 a day," said Fendu (Bindu) James, owner of Home Away From Home Child Care, which she said translates to roughly $11.62 per hour and leaves little margin to hire assistants. James…
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