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Welcome to Early Childhood Education Advocates, Inc. (ECEA)

The ECEA is a non-profit, tax-exempt entity that is engaged, steadfast, and passionate about promoting smart policy that benefits the community child care industry in New Jersey. ECEA comprises leaders in the child care industry, directing activities that promote positive change each and every day.

Support ECEA

CHILD CARE RALLY AND JOINT HEARING SET FOR OCTOBER 22

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC), Start Strong NJ, and Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) are bringing families, child care providers, educators, and advocates together in Trenton to call for affordable child care and stronger support for providers.
Affordable Child Care NOW: A Rally for NJ’s Families & Economy
 
11:00 a.m. | State House Annex Courtyard
 
Child care is essential to New Jersey’s families, workforce, and economy, yet too many families struggle to afford care while providers face challenges keeping their doors open. The rally will bring together advocates from across the state to call for solutions that make child care more affordable and strengthen the providers who make care possible.
 
Joint Committee Hearing
 
1:00 p.m. | State House
 
A joint committee hearing is anticipated to include the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development, Education, and Aging and Human Services Committees. The agenda and testimony registration details have not yet been released.
 
ECEA is coordinating member participation for those interested in testifying once details are confirmed. Even if you cannot testify, your presence matters. A strong turnout will show legislators that New Jersey’s early childhood community is engaged and advocating for families and providers.
 
To express interest in attending or testifying, contact Jacy Lance, ECEA Policy Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (609) 789-3064. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
 
Stand Up for Children & Families. Affordable Child Care NOW.

ECEA Collecting Facility Project Data to Support Advocacy on New Square Footage Rules

As New Jersey prepares for changes to child care facility requirements, Early Childhood Education Advocates (ECEA) is working to ensure that private providers and community-based programs have a strong voice in the process.

ECEA is actively engaging with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding new square footage regulations and their impact on centers with projects already underway. To support this advocacy, ECEA is collecting information from providers involved in development, expansion, renovation, or transfer discussions.

This information will help ECEA continue pressing DCF to grandfather eligible projects under the current 35-square-foot standard beyond the August 3, 2028 deadline.

If your center is planning or undergoing an expansion, renovation, new development, ownership transfer, or related project, please share your project scope, timeline, and any Pre-K partnership feedback with Policy Director Jacy Lance at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call (609) 789-3064.

Stay connected and strengthen our collective voice by joining or renewing your ECEA membership today.

2O26 ECEA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Happy New Year! We are grateful for your support and participation as we fight for the community childcare industry in New Jersey. We expect many changes in 2026, as we welcome a new governor, a new cabinet and some new members to the state Legislature.

As such, it is more important than ever for you to be involved, as more voices amplify our concerns and ensures our concerns are heard. 

Below are just some examples of how ECEA was effective in 2025, as we chart a roadmap for 2026.

Restored Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding. In August, the state stopped funding new applicants and raised copays for enrolled families. ECEA worked with its friends and supporters to highlight the issue, as well as published an opinion-editorial in the USA Today News Network to further highlight an issue that forced some parents to reduce work hours or leave jobs because they could no longer afford child care. Recently, the administration lifted the freeze, indicating that new applications will be allowed in January up to 75,000 enrollees. 

Passage of the New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act in July, sponsored by Sen. Teresa Ruiz, which established clear standards and aims to provide free full-day kindergarten for all New Jersey children. The legislation – with the vocal support of the ECEA – also establishes the Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee and annual reporting on preschool education mixed delivery partnerships.

Adoption of legislation in July that permits multi-year contracting with school districts for preschool education services and extends the maximum contract length from one year to three years. Through ECEA’s advocacy, the state signed off on a major policy shift aimed at providing stability for community-based child care providers, while reducing bureaucratic red tape for private preschool providers and strengthening the mixed-delivery early education system where public schools partner with community child care centers.

Help us grow ECEA in 2026! We need to be constantly vigilant, ensuring we have a seat at the table when key decisions affecting our livelihood is being considered in Trenton.

If you are not a member, click here to join.

May 6, 2026
ADvocacy day

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, members of the Early Childhood Education Advocates (ECEA) and representatives from the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) gathered in Trenton for a powerful day of action. The group met directly with state legislators and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy at the NJ State House to discuss the critical challenges facing child care providers. By providing public testimony in front of the New Jersey State Board of Education, these advocates took a collective stand on issues impacting the industry and the families they serve, successfully bridging the gap between center owners and state policymakers.

For More Information or Questions Please Contact Us

Early Childhood Education Advocates, Inc.
10 West Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608

609-928-2169

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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