Navigating the world of child care subsidies in Singapore can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces.
That’s why I’m here to help you make sense of it all.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What the Child Care Financial Assistance Scheme is and how it can help you
- The ins and outs of Basic and Additional Child Care Subsidies
- How to apply for Special Approval if you’re facing unique circumstances
- What the Financial Assistance and Start-Up Grant can do for your family
So, if you want to ensure your child gets the best care without draining your savings, keep reading.
What is the Child Care Financial Assistance Scheme?
The Child Care Financial Assistance Scheme is a vital lifeline for families navigating the often overwhelming costs associated with early childhood care and education.
You might already know that quality child care doesn’t come cheap, and that’s where this scheme steps in to make a real difference.
Essentially, it’s a government initiative, backed by various organisations, designed to lighten the financial load on parents, particularly those with low to middle incomes.
By offering subsidies and grants, the scheme helps ensure that quality child care isn’t out of reach, no matter your financial situation.
At its core, the assistance aims to give every family the chance to access early education, which is so important for a child’s development.
Whether you’re a single parent or part of a dual-income household, the Child Care Financial Assistance Scheme is there to support you, so you can focus on your work without the constant worry of mounting child care costs.
But it’s not just about financial relief.
This scheme is about ensuring equal opportunities for all children, giving them the best start in life regardless of their family’s income.
With this support, you can be confident that your child will receive the education they need during those crucial early years, setting them up for future success.
Subsidies for Child Care
Basic Child Care Subsidy
The Basic Child Care Subsidy is a cornerstone of financial support for Singaporean families with young children enrolled in ECDA-licensed childcare centres.
This subsidy is specifically designed to lighten the financial burden that child care can place on families, making it significantly more affordable, particularly for working parents.
Whether you’re juggling work and parenting or simply striving to provide the best start for your child, this subsidy helps ensure that quality care is within reach.
By providing this financial assistance, the government aims to ensure that all Singaporean families, regardless of income level, can access reliable and affordable child care.
This support not only helps to ease the strain on your wallet but also allows you to focus on your career, knowing that your child is receiving the care and early education they need in a safe and nurturing environment.
Additional Child Care Subsidy
The Additional Child Care Subsidy is a crucial support measure designed to provide extra financial relief to lower-income families, supplementing the Basic Child Care Subsidy.
This means-tested subsidy specifically targets those who need it most, further easing the burden of child care costs and ensuring that quality care remains accessible, even for families facing financial challenges.
To be eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy, your child must be a Singapore Citizen, and you must meet certain criteria.
Firstly, the applicant — whether it’s you or your spouse — needs to work at least 56 hours per month.
However, if you’re not working due to valid reasons, such as pursuing further education or dealing with medical conditions, you may still qualify.
Secondly, the subsidy is designed to assist families with a gross monthly household income of $12,000 or less.
For larger families, with 5 or more members, the income threshold is assessed on a per capita basis, set at $3,000 or below per person.
This additional support plays a significant role in ensuring that the financial demands of child care don’t become an insurmountable obstacle, allowing you to focus on providing a stable, nurturing environment for your child while balancing work and other responsibilities.
Special Approval
Special Approval is a discretionary form of financial assistance designed to address the unique challenges faced by families who might not meet the standard eligibility criteria for subsidies.
This assistance is granted on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that no child is deprived of essential care due to exceptional financial difficulties or unforeseen circumstances.
If you’re facing specific hardships that prevent you from working or meeting the typical subsidy requirements, Special Approval might be the avenue of support you need.
For example, if you’re actively looking for a job, studying or undergoing training for at least 56 hours a month, pregnant, or medically unfit to work, you may qualify for higher subsidy support.
Similarly, if you’re a caregiver looking after a sick or special needs family member, or if you are a non-parent caregiver — like a grandparent, legal guardian, or foster parent — caring for the child, this assistance could be available to you.
Additionally, children who are part of the HDB’s Public Rental Scheme or those receiving ComCare Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) or Long-Term Assistance (LTA) are automatically eligible for maximum preschool subsidies when applying for Special Approval.
This ensures that even in the most challenging of circumstances, your child can receive the care and education they need, without financial barriers standing in the way.
How much subsidies do you get for child care?
For Singaporean Citizens children aged 18 months to below 7 years old
| 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 |
How do I apply for child care subsidies?
To apply for child care subsidies, you need to submit your application through your child’s preschool or kindergarten.
Be sure to provide all the required documents, which the school will then forward to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Complete the Subsidy Application Form 1 and include any relevant supporting documents to ensure your application is processed smoothly.
Financial Assistance for Child Care and Start-Up Grant
The Financial Assistance for Child Care and Start-Up Grant is a critical support measure designed to help low-income families who are struggling to cover child care fees, even after receiving the Basic and Additional Subsidies.
This scheme provides an extra layer of financial relief to ensure that children from families facing difficult circumstances can still access affordable and quality child care.
To qualify, your child must be a Singapore Citizen and enrolled in an affordable infant or child care centre.
Both parents need to be working at least 56 hours per month, or if unable to work, they must have valid reasons supported by relevant documents.
Families interested in this assistance can speak to their child care operator for more information or to apply directly at the centre.
What about subsidies after child care?
Once your child finishes child care, they can enrol in kindergarten.
The Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) can help with subsidies associated with kindergartens.
There is also the Child Development Account (CDA) and the Baby Bonus Scheme for you to take advantage of through your child’s developmental years.
And of course, the Edusave and PSEA accounts that we’re all familiar with.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, we’ve covered a lot of ground on the various child care subsidies and financial assistance available to families in Singapore.
From understanding the basics of the Child Care Financial Assistance Scheme to diving into the specifics of the Basic and Additional Child Care Subsidies, as well as Special Approval for unique circumstances, we’ve hopefully made the maze of child care support a bit easier to navigate.
We also touched on the Financial Assistance for Child Care and Start-Up Grant, which offers crucial help to low-income families facing tough times.
If all this information feels overwhelming or you’re unsure which subsidies apply to your situation, don’t worry — you’re not alone.
Sometimes, it’s easier to talk things through.
We can connect you with one of our trusted financial advisor partners.
They’re here to help you, and the best part?
It’s completely free.
Feel free to reach out here.
