Infant Care & Childcare Subsidies Singapore: How Much You'll Pay After Subsidies

If you're sending your baby (0 to 18 months) to an ECDA-licensed infant care centre, you can get up to $600 per month off. This is the Basic Subsidy, and it's available for working mothers. For lower-income families, there's also an Additional Subsidy that can bring the cost down even further. The centre handles the subsidy deduction automatically — you just need to confirm your working mother status with them.

Once your child hits 18 months and moves to childcare (playgroup, nursery, or kindergarten), the Basic Subsidy is up to $300 per month for working mothers. Same deal — the centre deducts it automatically. And yes, the Additional Subsidy applies here too. The less your household earns, the more help you get.

To get the Basic Subsidy, you generally need to be working at least 56 hours per month (that's about 14 hours a week). But there are exceptions: • On approved unpaid leave (maternity, childcare, or study leave) — covered for up to 12 months • Medically unable to work (with a doctor's letter) — covered • Actively looking for a job — covered for up to 6 months Single mums and mums of children with special needs have more relaxed criteria. If you don't meet the working criteria, your child may still qualify — just at a lower subsidy rate.

If your gross monthly household income (per capita) is $12,000 or less, you may qualify for the Additional Subsidy. This means deeper fee reductions: • Household income $0–$3,000: up to $710/month off (infant care), $467/month off (childcare) • Household income $3,001–$6,000: up to $467/month off (infant care), $307/month off (childcare) • Household income $6,001–$9,000: up to $307/month off (infant care), $207/month off (childcare) Apply through the ECDA online portal or ask your childcare centre to help. You'll need to provide income documents for everyone in your household.

ECDA-designated Anchor Operators (like NTUC First Campus, My First Skool, and PCF Sparkletots) have fee caps. Full-day childcare at an Anchor Operator is capped at $720/month before subsidy. After the Basic Subsidy and other government support, most families pay around $150/month. For lower-income families with Additional Subsidy, it can go as low as $3–$5/month. Partner Operators (independent preschools in the ECDA scheme) cap fees at $800/month before subsidy. They also offer more curriculum variety — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based — while still keeping fees affordable.

Every family's situation is different. Use the Finance Hub to calculate your personalised fees after all subsidies — just enter your household income, working status, and number of children. The Schools module also lets you compare fees and waiting lists across centres near your home or workplace.