A Parent’s Guide to Preschool and Childcare Subsidies in Singapore

As the cost of living in Singapore continues to rise, managing childcare and preschool expenses can be a significant concern for many families. To ease this financial burden, the Singapore government offers a range of subsidies for infant care, childcare, and kindergarten programmes. These subsidies are designed to make high-quality early childhood education more accessible, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive during their formative years.

By reducing out-of-pocket expenses, these subsidies not only alleviate financial pressures but also empower families to invest in quality early education for their children. At Little Skool-House, we believe that every family deserves access to exceptional preschool experiences, and understanding these subsidies is the first step toward making that a reality.

In this guide, we will explore the various childcare subsidies available, their eligibility criteria, and how to apply for them. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to maximise these benefits, making quality early education both accessible and affordable for your family. 

For more information on the available subsidies for infant care in Singapore, check out our article on infant care subsidies.

Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme

Parents with Singapore Citizen children enrolled in childcare centres licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) can receive a Basic Subsidy of up to $300 per month for full-day childcare. 

On top of the Basic Subsidy, families with a working mother or single father earning $12,000 or less monthly (and working for at least 56 hours a month in any work arrangement) can also qualify for Additional Subsidy. Families with 5 or more members can choose to calculate their income on a per capita income basis to qualify for higher subsidies. Children from these larger families can qualify for Additional Subsidy if the per capita income is $3,000 and below.

Further, families with a gross monthly household income of $6,000 and below or a per capita income of $1,500 and below will qualify for the full childcare subsidies for their income tier (i.e. both the Basic Subsidy and the Additional Subsidy), regardless of the main subsidy applicant’s working status. 

The table below sets out the amount of preschool subsidies that a child enrolled in a full-day childcare programme is eligible to receive. 

Working Mother Status	Gross Monthly Household Income	Gross Monthly Per Capita Income (PCI)	Basic Subsidy	Additional Subsidy	Max Total Subsidy^
Working Mothers	$3,000 and below	$750 and below	$300	$467	$767
	$3,001 – $4,500	$751 – $1,125	$300	$440	$740
	$4,501 – $6,000	$1,126 – $1,500	$300	$340	$640
	$6,001 – $7,500	$1,501 – $1,875	$300	$260	$560
	$7,501 – $9,000	$1,876 – $2,250	$300	$190	$490
	$9,001 – $10,500	$2,251 – $2,625	$300	$130	$430
	$10,501 – $12,000	$2,626 – $3,000	$300	$80	$380
	Above $12,000	Above $3,000	$300	N/A	$300
Non-Working Mothers			$150	N/A	$150

Do note that the exact amount of preschool subsidies that your child may be eligible for depends on the main subsidy applicant’s working status, your family’s means-tested income and the type of childcare programme (e.g. full-day, half-day or flexi-care) and preschool fees. 

Notwithstanding the provision of childcare subsidies, families are subject to a minimum co-payment of preschool fees, which will increase as your household or per capita income rises. For more details on subsidy and minimum co-payment amounts for childcare, please visit the ECDA website. 

Special Approval for Preschool Subsidies: 

Applicants in the following groups may apply for higher subsidy support under Special Approval. 

• Applicants who are currently not able to work due to specific circumstances (e.g. actively looking for a job, pregnant, medically unfit for work, full-time caregiver) and have a gross monthly household income above $6000 or per capita income above $1500 may apply for higher subsidies under Special Approval. 

• Non-parent caregivers who are caring for the child, such as grandparents, legal guardians, foster parents and children’s homes may apply for higher subsidies on a time-limited basis.

• Children under the HDB’s Public Rental Scheme or ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) or Long-Term Assistance (LTA) will automatically qualify for maximum preschool subsidies upon applying for Special Approval, until the next fixed point of subsidy assessment. 

Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)

Parents of Singaporean children enrolled in an Anchor Operator (AOP) or Ministry of Education (MOE) Kindergarten may apply for subsidies under the KiFAS if their gross monthly household income is $12,000 or less. Households with 5 or more family members can also opt to have their income calculated on a per capita basis to qualify for higher subsidies, and are eligible if they have a gross monthly per capita income of S$3,000 and below.

Gross Monthly Household Income	Gross Monthly Per Capita Income*	Max KiFAS^
$3,000 and below	$750 and below	$161
$3,001 – $4,500	$751 – $1,125	$150
$4,501 – $6,000	$1,126 – $1,500	$107
$6,001 – $7,500	$1,501 – $1,875	$87
$7,501 – $9,000	$1,876 – $2,250	$67
$9,001 – $10,500	$2,251 – $2,625	$47
$10,501 – $12,000	$2,626 – $3,000	$17
Above $12,000	Above $3,000	N/A

^Subject to a minimum co-payment by parents. 

Special Approval for KiFAS Subsidies: 

Applicants in the following groups may apply for higher subsidy support under Special Approval.

• Non-parent caregivers who are caring for the child, such as grandparents, legal guardians, foster parents and children’s homes may apply for higher subsidies on a time-limited basis.

• Children under the HDB’s Public Rental Scheme or ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) or Long-Term Assistance (LTA) will automatically qualify for maximum preschool subsidies upon applying for Special Approval, until the next fixed point of subsidy assessment. 

KiFAS Startup Grant (SUG)

As additional support for lower income families, the KiFAS SUG is a yearly grant which covers the initial costs of attending a kindergarten, such as registration fees, deposit, school uniform costs, insurance fees, and educational material fees. Singapore Citizen children in families with a monthly gross income of up to S$1,900 or gross per capita income of up to S$650 are eligible for the SUG. 

The exact grant amount provided is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and eligible families can expect to receive up to $240 a year.

How to Apply for Childcare Subsidy Singapore 

All applications for the Basic and Additional Subsidy (for childcare centres) and KiFAS / KiFAS SUG (for kindergartens) should be made through your preschool. 

The preschool subsidy will take effect only from the month when the application is successfully submitted to ECDA.The subsidy will be directly disbursed to your child’s preschool and parents will only need to pay the net fee which can come from the child’s Child Development Account. 

Subsidy eligibility will be assessed and/or reassessed when the child enrols at a new preschool, or when the child is promoted from Nursery 2 (N2) to Kindergarten 1 (K1).

Understanding the subsidies you are eligible to receive

Understanding and determining your eligibility for subsidies is essential to making informed decisions about your child’s early education. Navigating the complexities of financial assistance can feel daunting, but with the right guidance and tools, you can simplify the process and secure the support you need.

To check that you meet the eligibility criteria for childcare subsidies, refer to ECDA’s website for up-to-date information. If you’re uncertain, reach out to your preferred childcare centre for guidance on the eligibility requirements, necessary documentation, and the application process.

The ECDA Subsidy Calculator is also a helpful tool designed to provide an estimate of the subsidies you may qualify for, based on your household or per capita income and the type of childcare programme. This enables you to explore the various subsidy options available to your family and plan your finances with confidence.

Little Skool-House: Your Trusted Partner in Early Childhood Education

At Little Skool-House, we are dedicated to delivering a quality preschool experience where your child receives the best care and education. Our highly-qualified educators are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. 

As trendsetters in early childhood education, Little Skool-House bases our curriculum on proven research in child development and education from the world’s top universities. We’ve created a well-rounded, bilingual curriculum that gives equal emphasis to academic excellence, character development and creative expression. Learn how our science-backed curriculum can support your child’s holistic development.

With 20 centres islandwide, Little Skool-House is an excellent option for families seeking the best early education for their children.

Choose from 20 Conveniently-Located Centres

For over 27 years, we’ve been helping more than 6,600 preschoolers in Singapore build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. With award-winning teachers, a proven bilingual curriculum and diverse enrichment programmes, Little Skool-House is committed to delivering a quality preschool experience that prepares your child for the future.

Find a Little Skool House Near You

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Skool-House

What are the types of programmes available at Little Skool-House?

At My Little Skool-House, we offer full-day and half-day preschool programmes for children aged 18 months to 6 years old, as well as infant care services for infants aged 2 to 17 months. 

How much are your monthly school fees?

For Partner Operator (POP) centres, our fees align with ECDA guidelines and start from $680 before subsidies and GST. For non-POP centres, our fees start from $2,300 before subsidies and GST.

To determine the subsidies you are eligible for, please refer to ECDA’s website. 

What is the difference between Little Skool-House centres that are under the Partner Operator (POP) scheme and those that aren’t?

At Little Skool-House, we have a network of centres, with 14 centres operating under the Partner Operator (POP) scheme governed by ECDA. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility, affordability, and quality of childcare services for working parents.

Besides our consistent core curriculum and teaching approach, our 6 non-POP centres offer supplementary enriching programmes such as music, sports, and our exclusive REACH (Read Chinese at Home) programme. The REACH programme provides weekly take-home books and accompanying audio guides for learning support at home, empowering parents to be more involved in their child’s education. These centres also boast superior facilities for a comfortable and stimulating environment. Parents are also able to chat real-time with our teachers and be updated on their child’s progress via our Parent App. Additionally, these centres maintain a lower teacher-child ratio to ensure that each child receives personalised attention and support. 

Apart from childcare subsidies, are there subsidies available for infant care programmes in Singapore?

Yes, there are also subsidies available for infant care programmes in Singapore. For more details, check out our article on infant care subsidies here.

References

• https://www.ecda.gov.sg/parents/preschool-subsidies/infant-and-childcare-subsidy-scheme/overview
• https://www.madeforfamilies.gov.sg/support-measures/raising-your-child/preschool/subsidies-for-preschool