A Look at Summer Programs in New Jersey
Characteristics and Enrollment
June 9, 2026
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of summer programs in New Jersey, including their characteristics, enrollment, staffing, and operational details. Summer programs in NJ vary widely in structure, staffing, activities, and funding, impacting access, quality, and experiences for children and affordability for families.
This effort is part of a multi-center collaborative project with the Center for Women and Work and the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with support and collaboration from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF).
The Authors
Allison Friedman-Krauss is an Associate Research Professor at NIEER where she is also the Associate Director for Policy Research and Director of the Infant and Toddler Policy Research Center.
Dr. Milagros Nores is the Co-Director for Research and Research Professor at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). With a profound expertise in early childhood evaluation, informing data-driven policy and programming, cost and benefits of early interventions, evaluation design, equity, and English language learners, she has established herself as a leading researcher in the field of early care and education.
Jessica Siegel focuses on policy-relevant research to improve preschool experiences for children, families, and school staff. At NIEER, she has supported work related to the annual State of Preschool Yearbook report and analyses of preschool teacher well-being.
Christina Stephens, Ph.D. is an Assistant Research Professor at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University. Her research investigates early care and education (ECE) impacts on families and children among historically marginalized populations, including dual language learners. These interests are focused on (1) policies and factors that shape families’ equitable ECE access, and (2) elements of programs and classrooms that promote early development. Dr. Stephens’s work aims to translate into applied decision-making, policies, and practices across multiple levels of ECE systems that benefit children and families.
About NIEER
The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, conducts and disseminates independent research and analysis to inform early childhood education policy.
Suggested Citation
Friedman-Krauss, A., Nores, M., Siegel, J., Stephens, C., & A, Kent, A. (2026). A Look at Summer Programs in New Jersey: Characteristics and Enrollment. New Brunswick, NJ: National Institute for Early Education Research.
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