Childcare, preschools and infant care subsidies — Complete 2026 guide

Childcare, preschools and infant care subsidies in Singapore are largely reserved for Singapore citizen children — working mothers receive a basic subsidy of S$300 a month for full-day childcare and S$600 for infant care, with means-tested top-ups — while expat families generally pay full fees of S$1,000 to S$2,800 a month. This 2026 guide explains the system for both groups.

How the preschool landscape is organised

Singapore preschools fall into three broad tiers. Anchor Operator (AOP) centres such as PCF Sparkletots and My First Skool receive government funding and observe monthly fee caps — around S$640 for full-day childcare and S$1,235 for infant care in recent years (before subsidies). Partner Operator (POP) centres sit in the middle with slightly higher caps. Private and international preschools set market fees: commonly S$1,200–S$2,800 a month for full-day programmes, and S$2,000–S$4,000 at premium international brands. All centres caring for children below 7 must be licensed under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017, administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA); the Act provides for licensing, inspections and enforcement, including penalties for operating without a licence.

Childcare, preschools and infant care subsidies for Singapore citizen children

• Basic subsidy (citizen children only): S$600 a month for full-day infant care (2–18 months) and S$300 a month for full-day childcare (18 months–6 years) where the mother works 56+ hours a month; non-working mothers receive S$150.
• Additional subsidy (means-tested): for gross monthly household income up to S$12,000 — at the lowest bands, the combined subsidy can bring AOP full-day childcare to under S$3 a day.
• KiFAS: kindergarten fee assistance for citizen children at MOE Kindergartens and AOP kindergartens, for household incomes up to S$12,000.
• Baby Bonus and CDA: the Child Development Co-Savings Act 2001 underpins the Baby Bonus scheme — a cash gift (up to S$11,000 for higher birth orders under current enhancements) plus the Child Development Account with government dollar-for-dollar matching that can be spent on approved preschool and healthcare providers.

What expat and PR families can expect

The basic and additional subsidies apply only to Singapore citizen children. Permanent resident children pay unsubsidised fees at most centres (some operators price PR tiers slightly below foreigner tiers), and foreign children pay full fees everywhere. Practical 2026 budget for an expat family: infant care S$1,800–S$2,800 a month; full-day childcare S$1,200–S$2,500; premium international preschool S$2,500–S$4,000. Waitlists in the CBD and popular estates (Holland Village, East Coast, Bukit Timah) run 3–12 months, so register before you arrive. A CDA can be used by PR children if eligible under the scheme conditions, but the Baby Bonus cash gift is citizen-linked.

Choosing a centre — the practical checklist

1. Licence status and tenure on ECDA’s search portal — licences run up to 24 months based on track record.
2. Teacher–child ratios (regulatory minimums: 1:5 for infants, rising with age) and teacher turnover.
3. Curriculum: play-based local frameworks versus Montessori, Reggio or IB-aligned international programmes.
4. Hours and holidays — full-day centres typically run 7am–7pm weekdays, a major draw for dual-career families.
5. Fee schedule including registration (S$100–S$500), deposit (usually one month), uniforms and enrichment add-ons.

Costs, timelines and the application process

Enrolment is direct with the centre; subsidies (for eligible citizens) are applied for through the centre and disbursed via ECDA, normally reflected from the following month. Mid-year transfers are common but deposits are rarely refundable inside notice periods of 1–2 months. For families relocating, sequence matters: confirm the employment pass timeline first, then housing, then childcare within commuting range — our relocating to Singapore family guide covers the full sequence.

Common mistakes

• Assuming subsidies apply to PR or foreign children — budget on gross fees.
• Registering at one centre only; waitlists move unpredictably, so hold 2–3 positions.
• Ignoring the working-mother criterion (56 hours a month) when one parent freelances — documentation matters for the higher subsidy tier.
• Missing CDA matching by paying preschool fees from a regular account instead of the CDA.
• Confusing kindergarten (half-day, MOE-oriented) with childcare (full-day) when comparing fees.

Families structuring their broader finances around a Singapore move — including those setting up investment vehicles — may also find the guides to Singapore holding company tax optimisation and Singapore bank account opening useful when planning how school fees will be funded.

Authoritative references: the Early Childhood Development Agency for licensing and subsidy rules, the Ministry of Education for MOE Kindergartens and KiFAS, and the Ministry of Health for childhood health and immunisation requirements that centres enforce at enrolment.

FAQs

Can expat children attend government-supported (AOP) preschools?
Yes, where places exist — but without subsidies, and citizens get priority on waitlists. Fees remain capped, which can still make AOP centres good value.

What immunisations are required for enrolment?
Diphtheria and measles vaccinations are legally required for school admission; centres verify records against the National Immunisation Registry, and foreign-vaccinated children may need verification or catch-up doses.

Do both parents need to work for the higher subsidy?
The basic working-mother rate turns on the mother (or single father) working at least 56 hours a month; the means-tested additional subsidy then depends on household income.

How early should we join waitlists?
For infant care in popular districts, 6–12 months ahead. Many centres allow registration before birth.

Is preschool compulsory in Singapore?
No — compulsory education begins at Primary 1 — but the vast majority of children attend at least kindergarten years (K1–K2) from age 5.

Need help with this? Call, SMS or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133, or email [email protected]. Little Big Employment Agency (EA Licence 19C9790) works with a panel of corporate and employment law firms; this article is general information, not legal advice.