By Judith Dinowitz. Agudath Israel this evening is commending New Jersey State Assemblyman Sean Kean for introducing legislation that expands the ability for nonpublic schools to open state-approved child care centers.

Under New Jersey’s current law, a child care center that is part of a public or nonpublic school is exempt from licensing requirements. However, a nonpublic school is exempt only if it contains grades k-6. If approved, Bill A-370, will remove this restriction, allowing nonpublic schools with different grade levels to open state-approved centers. The bill also brings legal parity, assuring that public and nonpublic schools have the same conditions for child care approval.

These state-approved child care centers provide subsidies for low-income families, and having more of them within the yeshiva system leads to more choices, and ultimately, to more financial help, for New Jersey families.

“With the large cost of child care, every little bit counts,” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudath Israel’s New Jersey Director. “If it passes, Assemblyman Kean’s bill will make a tremendous difference for many low income families in the community.”

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