New Jersey's child care crisis impacts everyone. With a governor's race and all 80 Assembly seats up for election on November 4, it's time for child care to be a high priority in New Jersey's policy agenda. Join our movement today at startstrongnj.org.

THIS THURSDAY! 📣 Join us for Affordable Childcare NOW! 🗓️ Oct. 22 at 11 AM 📍 NJ State House, Trenton Families, providers & communities are coming together for affordable childcare. All ages welcome! 💙 Register: tinyurl.com/childcarerally10…

Start Strong NJ was featured in Bloomberg on the rising cost of raising a family in NJ. For many young families, childcare is now their biggest expense, sometimes exceeding rent or mortgage payments. Read more: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Early educators are essential to NJ families, yet many can't afford to stay in the field. NJ won't be truly affordable until childcare is. Hear directly from the educators doing this work. 💙 youtu.be/s-5U5fXkbXI

A new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll finds 73% of respondents struggle to afford childcare. 46% say it's very difficult, more than any other expense surveyed. NJ families need affordable childcare. @GovSherrillNJ Join us: startstrongnj.org/petition

We're glad to see @GovSherrillNJ working to lower housing costs, but childcare is the largest expense for many families. It's time to make NJ affordable by ensuring that childcare is affordable for every family, and that's what we're fighting for. Join us: startstrongnj.org/

Start Strong NJ Co-chairs Winifred Smith-Jenkins and Meghan Tavormina recently presented at a Rutgers Child Care Research Collaborative. The event brought research, policy and advocacy voices together to help inform the future of childcare in NJ.

As childcare costs rise, more families are turning to grandparents for help. A new NPR story shows what that can mean: changes to work, retirement and even where families live. Affordable, reliable childcare should be within reach for every family. npr.org/2026/09/20/nx-s1-596…

Start Strong NJ is 1! It’s been a year of growth and progress—from releasing our Blueprint for Affordable Childcare to building a statewide coalition around affordable, high-quality childcare. One year down, and the work continues. Stay connected: startstrongnj.org/join

On Sept. 15, Start Strong NJ joined leaders at Rowan University for a statewide conference on NJ childcare policy hosted by the Sweeney Center. Sharon Levine & Meghan Tavormina spoke, and Evan Delgado of the Turrell Fund delivered a keynote address.

Start Strong NJ visited a Glassboro Child Development Center for a firsthand look at the work happening there. Sharon Levine joined Meghan Tavormina & Sue Dannemiller of @njaeyc to meet staff and see quality childcare in action. Thanks to Joan Dillon & team for having us!

$20,213/year. That’s the average cost of care for one infant in a licensed NJ childcare center. For many families, childcare simply costs too much. Affordable child care shouldn’t be out of reach. Learn more: startstrongnj.org

We joined the Middlesex County HSAC Policy Summit on child care affordability and access. Sharon Levine spoke on affordability, Co-chair Winifred Smith-Jenkins on access, and Meghan Tavormina moderated a child care panel. Thanks to Middlesex County HSAC for hosting!

On Sept. 10, Start Strong NJ joined leaders for Insights from New Jersey Families, co-hosted by Capita, Dodge Foundation, @BurkeFoundation & @TurrellFund . Sharon Levine, Elliot Haspel & others discussed what NJ families need to thrive. Thanks to all who joined!

Full-day kindergarten is an important investment in NJ’s children, but a strong start begins before kindergarten. Affordable, quality child care helps prepare children for what comes next. Stay updated on our work. Sign up for our monthly newsletter: startstrongnj.org/join

Don't miss out! 📺 Today and tomorrow, tune in to News 12+ to catch Start Strong NJ Campaign Director Sharon Levine on Minding Your Business with @bobconsidineNJ. Watch today at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., or Sunday at 9:30 a.m.! @NJBIA

This week, Start Strong NJ traveled to Connecticut for a valuable opportunity to learn from leaders working to strengthen early childhood education. We're grateful to Social Impact Partners for bringing together partners committed to advancing affordable, high-quality child care.

New Jersey's new budget includes meaningful progress for families, but preserving today's system is not the same as solving our state's affordability crisis. Read our Blueprint for Affordable Child Care to learn more about the solutions families deserve: startstrongnj.org/blueprint

This op-ed highlights a reality so many Jersey families know all too well: summer shouldn't mean scrambling to piece together care while trying to keep a job. Affordable, reliable child care is essential year-round, not just during the school year. 🔗 : nj.com/opinion/2026/06/i-don…