New Jersey, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 30 percent (275,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (2022). This number represents a decrease from 31 percent (292,000) in 2017.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
In June 2025, New Jersey’s governor signed the state’s fiscal 2026 budget, with line item vetoes. The enacted budget provides for $58.78 billion in total state fund appropriations and $31.01 billion in federal fund appropriations. The budget is based on total resources for all state funds of $65.8 billion, including a beginning balance of $8.3 billion, general fund revenue of $33.7 billion, property tax relief fund revenue of $22.7 billion, Casino Revenue Fund resources of $1.03 billion (including a beginning balance of $147 million), Casino Control Fund revenue of $80 million, and Gubernatorial Elections Fund revenue of $0.7 million. The budget projects an undesignated ending balance (or surplus) of $6.7 billion. 3
Largest Per Capita Revenue Sources (after federal transfers):4
State Budget Rules:4
New Jersey uses an annual budget. The legislature must pass a balanced budget, but it can carry a deficit over into the following year. New Jersey further limits spending growth with a budget rule based on personal income growth. The rule is binding and requires a legislative supermajority or vote of the people to override. New Jersey limits total authorized debt incurred by the state, but not debt service.
There is no permanent state funding stream—such as lottery revenue, nicotine tax, or trust fund distributions—dedicated by statute to early childhood supports. (Examples of other states with such funding in place can be found in the Alliance’s Revenue and Early Childhood Finance resource center.)
Political Alignment:6 Aligned Democrat
During the legislative session, the state’s Senate and House were both Democrat controlled. The state’s Governor was also a Democrat.
Types of Common Ballot Measures Available:7 Two
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:8
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:9
In 2025, New Jersey’s governor moved to eliminate long-standing barriers that kept child care providers from participating in public preschool expansion, most notably the restrictive square-footage requirement. Previously, many providers were forced to combine classrooms, find additional space, or undergo costly and time-consuming licensing changes before they could partner with school districts. The Administration is now advancing regulatory changes that align preschool and child care space requirements to a single standard of 42 square feet of usable space per child, allow programs with fewer than 15 children per classroom to participate, and permit classrooms without in-room bathrooms as long as one is accessible on the same floor. These updates will expand access to high-quality early learning, preserve infant and toddler slots, and strengthen small child care businesses that anchor local communities. This administrative win directly supports New Jersey’s progress toward a robust mixed-delivery model, which is essential for achieving universal preschool.
Advocates are celebrating the passage of a comprehensive early education package signed by the governor on July 11, 2025. The centerpiece bill (S3910/A5717) codifies New Jersey’s preschool funding formula into law, ensuring sustained investment in preschool expansion and setting the path for full-day kindergarten statewide by 2030. This milestone reflects decades of advocacy beginning with the Abbott v. Burke decision more than 25 years ago.
New Jersey enacted a significant policy change that strengthens the stability and partnership potential of community child care providers. Through legislation (S4476/A5780), the state now authorizes three-year contracts between school districts and community-based child care providers—replacing the previous one-year agreements that created annual uncertainty. This multi-year contracting structure enables providers to plan more effectively, make necessary facility upgrades, and invest in program quality without fear of sudden discontinuation.
Our lead ally in New Jersey, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), works for a future where all New Jersey children grow up healthy, safe, and educated. They educate, inform, and engage leaders and the public on children’s needs through research, data, and policy analysis. As one of their priorities, ACNJ works with parents, communities, service providers, and local and state groups to promote high-quality early care and education from infancy to age 8.
Advocates for Children of New Jersey is working to advance early childhood policies in several areas that align with the Alliance’s birth-through-eight policy framework:
Child Care
Child Care Work Force
Maternal Health
Infant & Child Health
Early Intervention (0-3)
Family Economic Security
While the successful bills mark a push toward universal pre-k and full-day kindergarten, advocates insist more work lies ahead to ensure eligible pre-k students get the chance to participate in the state’s Abbott Preschool program.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2 National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 through 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, October 2024, NCCP analysis of ACS 5-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2018-2022.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2026.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, April 2025.
5 Alliance for Early Success, State Examples of Dedicated Funding Streams, 2025
6 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2025 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, January 31, 2025.
7 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, 2025.
8 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
9 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2025.
