A Parent’s Guide to Infant Care and Childcare Subsidies in Singapore Preschools

Updated 11 Mar 2026

As the cost of living in Singapore continues to rise, managing 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. 

Budget 2026 Update: Enhanced Preschool Subsidies from 2027

Following the Budget 2026 announcement and parliamentary debates, the government is expanding preschool subsidy eligibility. Starting from January 2027, the income ceilings for means-tested preschool subsidies (Additional Subsidy) will be raised. This adjustment will allow over 60,000 more families in Singapore to qualify for higher Additional Subsidies, significantly reducing out-of-pocket childcare costs.

Key changes taking effect in 2027 include:

• The Gross Monthly Household Income (HHI) ceiling will increase from $12,000 to $15,000.
• The Per Capita Income (PCI) ceiling for larger families will increase from $3,000 to $3,400.
• Income thresholds across all subsidy tiers will be adjusted upwards to reflect current household incomes, allowing many middle-income families to qualify for higher subsidy amounts.

(Note: The details and subsidy tables below reflect the current rates valid until December 2026).

Additional Support: $500 One-Off Child LifeSG Credits

Beyond the enhanced preschool subsidies taking effect in 2027, the government also announced immediate support to help parents with child-raising costs. Every Singaporean child aged 12 and below will receive a one-off $500 Child LifeSG Credit.

These credits can be conveniently used to pay for child-related expenses, including medical fees, enrichment classes, and even out-of-pocket preschool expenses – at any merchant or clinic that accepts PayNow or NETS QR, giving parents extra flexibility to manage their daily expenses.

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 and $600 per month for full-day infant care. 

On top of the Basic Subsidy, families with a working mother or single father earning $12,000 or less monthly (to be revised to $15,000 from 2027 onwards) and working for at least 56 hours a month in any work arrangement can also qualify for the Additional Subsidy. Families with 5 or more members can 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 (to be revised to $3,400 from 2027 onwards).

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 infant care and 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 and infant care programme is eligible to receive. 

Full-Day Childcare Subsidy Table (Valid till Dec 2026*)

Working Main Applicant Status	Gross Monthly Household Income	Gross Monthly Per Capita Income (PCI)	Basic Subsidy	Additional Subsidy	Max Total Subsidy^	Min Co-payment^
Working Applicant (Mother or Single Father)	$3,000 and below	$750 and below	$300	$467	$767	$3
	$3,001 – $4,500	$751 – $1,125	$300	$440	$740	$25
	$4,501 – $6,000	$1,126 – $1,500	$300	$340	$640	$85
	$6,001 – $7,500	$1,501 – $1,875	$300	$260	$560	$143
	$7,501 – $9,000	$1,876 – $2,250	$300	$190	$490	$206
	$9,001 – $10,500	$2,251 – $2,625	$300	$130	$430	$272
	$10,501 – $12,000	$2,626 – $3,000	$300	$80	$380	$339
	Above $12,000*	Above $3,000	$300	N/A	$300	N/A
Non-Working Applicant (Mother or Single Father)			$150	N/A	$150	N/A

^Subject to a minimum co-payment by parents. 

* As announced in Budget 2026, the income ceiling will be raised to $15,000 (HHI) or $3,400 (PCI for families with 5 or more members) starting from 2027.

Full-Day Infant Care Subsidy Table (Valid till Dec 2026*)

Working Main Applicant Status	Gross Monthly Household Income	Gross Monthly Per Capita Income (PCI)	Basic Subsidy	Additional Subsidy	Max Total Subsidy^	Min Co-payment^
Working Applicant (Mother or Single Father)	$3,000 and below	$750 and below	$600	$710	$1,310	$40
	$3,001 – $4,500	$751 – $1,125	$600	$640	$1,240	$110
	$4,501 – $6,000	$1,126 – $1,500	$600	$500	$1,100	$250
	$6,001 – $7,500	$1,501 – $1,875	$600	$380	$980	$360
	$7,501 – $9,000	$1,876 – $2,250	$600	$240	$840	$500
	$9,001 – $10,500	$2,251 – $2,625	$600	$100	$700	$640
	$10,501 – $12,000	$2,626 – $3,000	$600	$40	$640	$700
	Above $12,000*	Above $3,000	$600	N/A	$600	n/a
Non-Working Applicant (Mother or Single Father)			$150	N/A	$150	n/a

^Subject to a minimum co-payment by parents. 

* As announced in Budget 2026, the income ceiling will be raised to $15,000 (HHI) or $3,400 (PCI for families with 5 or more members) starting from 2027.

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 Additional Subsidy: 

If the main applicant (mother or single father) is not working, families can still get Special Approval for Additional Subsidy under the following circumstances: 

• 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). 

• 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. 

How to Apply for Childcare Subsidy Singapore 

All applications for the Basic and Additional Subsidy (for infant care and childcare centres) 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. With several centres conveniently located across Singapore, you can easily find a preschool near you that offers the same trusted learning experience. 

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

Choose from 14 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 $650 for full-day childcare and $1,290 for full-day infant care, before subsidies and GST.

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

Why is Little Skool-House centres under the Partner Operator (POP) scheme?

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.

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