ECEA Testifies About the Critical Need to Reopen New Jersey’s Child Care Centers

On Thursday, May 28, the Senate Fiscal Recovery Strategists held a committee hearing to focus solely on childcare and day camps, with an eye towards reopening these critical industries safely. The ECEA was pleased to participate in this important discussion. ECEA was represented by Board Member Karyn Jarzyk, owner/operator of three Kiddie Academy locations, which have remained open throughout the pandemic serving the children and families of essential workers.

ECEA is grateful to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Paul Sarlo (Chairman of the Senate and Budget Appropriations Committee) and Senator Steve Oroho (Republican Budget Officer), as well as Committee members Senator Teresa Ruiz (Chair of the Senate Education Committee) and Senator Troy Singleton (Vice-Chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee) and Senate staff for taking this opportunity to hear from providers on the front lines about their experiences and their vision for the reopening of this industry.

As Senator Singleton noted, “the Senate’s team of Economic Recovery Strategists continues to work to develop ways to safely restart the state’s economy. A crucial part of this conversation is the safe reopening of childcare programs and summer camps. If we are truly serious about jumpstarting our economy and reopening businesses, then we must recognize that childcare is an essential piece of the economic infrastructure, and it must move in tandem with the reopening strategy.”  We look forward to continuing to work with the Senate and the Murphy Administration to reopen the childcare industry and get 87,000 women back to work, serving NJ’s workforce and their children safely and promoting best practices to serve the family holistically.

To view the hearing in its entirety, click here.  Karyn’s testimony begins at 25:45.