TRENTON, NJ — Assemblywoman Shanique Speight has officially launched a district-wide Child Care Advocacy Tour aimed at bringing together families, child care providers, educators, and community leaders to address the growing challenges facing New Jersey’s child care system.

The initiative comes as working families across New Jersey continue to face rising child care costs, workforce shortages, limited infant care availability, and increasing operational burdens on providers. Through this tour, Assemblywoman Speight is visiting child care centers throughout the district and surrounding communities to hear directly from those impacted and advocate for meaningful policy solutions.

“Child care is not a luxury ; it is essential infrastructure that supports our families, workforce, and economy,” said Assemblywoman Speight. “Families deserve access to affordable, high-quality care, and providers deserve the support necessary to continue serving our communities. This tour is about listening, learning, and building solutions together.”

The tour recently kicked off with a visit to Little Bears Day Care Center in Hillside, where Assemblywoman Speight convened providers, advocates, and parents for a roundtable discussion focused on several key issues impacting the child care industry, including:

• Rising facility costs and regulations
• Workforce recruitment and retention challenges
• Limited infant and toddler care availability
• Funding and reimbursement concerns for providers

During the discussions, providers highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in early childhood education and sustainable support systems for working families and child care professionals.

As part of her advocacy efforts, Assemblywoman Speight has introduced several legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening child care accessibility and provider support across New Jersey, including bills focused on educator pay equity, health care support for child care workers, preschool partnerships, subsidy reform, and emergency stabilization funding for providers at risk of closure.

Community leaders and advocates have praised the initiative for elevating the voices of providers and families while recognizing child care as a critical component of New Jersey’s economic stability.

“Strong communities start with strong child care,” Speight added. “When families have reliable access to quality care, children thrive, parents can work, and communities grow stronger.”

The Child Care Advocacy Tour will continue throughout the district in the coming weeks, with additional visits and conversations planned with providers, educators, and families.