Childcare, preschools and infant care subsidies — Costs and fees breakdown
Singapore childcare and infant-care subsidies reduce monthly fees for working parents, but the largest subsidies are reserved for Singapore-citizen children. Foreign families generally pay full private-centre fees, so it is important to understand what is subsidised, what is not, and how monthly costs stack up before enrolling.
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.
What the subsidy framework covers
The Early Childhood Development Agency, established under the Early Childhood Development Agency Act 2017, licenses and regulates childcare and infant-care centres and administers subsidies. The Basic Subsidy and Additional Subsidy under the Child Development Co-Savings Act 2001 framework apply where the child is a Singapore citizen and the mother is working. Permanent-resident and foreign children do not qualify for these government subsidies, though some employers offer support.
Who it is for
This guide is for expatriate and relocating families comparing infant care (2 to 18 months), childcare (18 months to below 7 years) and kindergarten options. Families coordinating a relocation with a business or investment structure will find the family-office context in our Multi-jurisdiction family office structures — Timeline and processing benchmarks and the incorporation background in our Singapore bank account opening — DBS, OCBC, UOB, Wise, Aspire. Understanding the fee gap between citizen and foreigner rates helps set a realistic monthly budget.
Fees and subsidy breakdown (2026)
Before subsidy, full-day infant care commonly costs S$1,600 to S$2,800 a month and full-day childcare S$1,000 to S$2,200, higher at premium or international preschools. For a Singapore-citizen child with a working mother, the Basic Subsidy is up to S$600 a month for childcare and up to S$1,200 for infant care, with Additional Subsidy on top for lower- and middle-income households, and government-supported (Anchor and Partner) operators are fee-capped. Foreign-child families pay the full private rate with no ECDA subsidy, so monthly infant-care costs of S$2,000-plus are typical.
Eligibility and enrolment
Subsidy eligibility turns on the child’s citizenship, the mother’s working status and household income. Foreign children are enrolled at private centres on a fee-paying basis; places at popular centres can have waitlists of several months, so early registration matters. A child on a Dependant’s Pass will need that pass in place before enrolment. Some centres require registration deposits equal to one to two months’ fees.
Step-by-step process
Shortlist ECDA-licensed centres near home or work and check the licence and reviews. Visit and confirm vacancy, fees, deposit and the waitlist position. Confirm the child’s pass status, since a Dependant’s Pass is generally needed for enrolment. Register and pay the deposit to secure the place. Complete health and enrolment forms. For citizen children, submit the subsidy application through the centre; foreign families budget for full fees.
Common mistakes and gotchas
The most common surprise for foreign families is assuming government subsidies apply — they generally do not. Others underestimate infant-care costs, which are the highest tier, or the length of waitlists at sought-after centres. Registration deposits and annual increases are sometimes overlooked. Confirm the centre’s ECDA licence status, as unlicensed arrangements carry risk, and check the teacher-to-child ratios and programme quality rather than fees alone.
FAQs
Do foreign children get childcare subsidies? No — ECDA subsidies are for Singapore-citizen children with a working mother.
How much is infant care? Typically S$1,600 to S$2,800 a month at private centres before any subsidy.
Is a Dependant’s Pass needed to enrol? Generally yes for a foreign child to attend a centre.
How early should I register? Several months ahead for popular centres, which often have waitlists.
Authoritative references: the Ministry of Education, Early Childhood Development Agency and Ministry of Health publish the current subsidy, licensing and health rules.
Related reading on this site: Childcare, preschools and infant care subsidies — Step-by-step walkthrough.
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.