Child Care Subsidy 2025: What is It & How Should I Apply?
Key Takeaways:
- Government support is available to help parents manage the cost of early childhood education, with subsidies varying based on income level and employment status.
- Financial assistance is disbursed directly to preschools and kindergartens, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for families.
- Additional support may be available for families facing financial hardship or temporary challenges, including those unable to work due to caregiving responsibilities or medical reasons.
- Planning ahead through savings and insurance can help families stay prepared for both expected and unexpected costs related to raising children.
Raising children in Singapore can be a considerable cost for some families, especially when both parents are working and childcare becomes a daily necessity. While some may have the support of extended family, many parents find themselves juggling childcare costs alongside everyday household expenses.
The good news? There’s help available. From childcare subsidies to the Baby Bonus and Baby Support Grants, the government offers several schemes to alleviate the financial burden. Here’s a quick, easy-to-follow breakdown of what’s available and how it can support you—or someone you know.
| Working main applicant | Non-working main applicant | ||||
| Basic Subsidy | Additional Subsidy | Basic Subsidy | Additional Subsidy | ||
| Infant Care (aged 2-18 months) |
Any ECDA-licensed infant care operator | $600 | Up to $710 | $150 | NA |
| Childcare (aged 18 months-6 years) |
Any ECDA-licensed child care operator | $300 | Up to $467 | $150 | NA |
| Preschool subsidy | Institutions | Monthly Benefits per child | Income ceiling |
| Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) | For MOE or Anchor Operator kindergartens | Up to $163 | Gross monthly household income of $12,000 and below, or per capita income of $3,000 or less (for households with 5 or more members). |
Infant Care and Child Care Subsidies
Basic Subsidy
The Basic Subsidy helps families offset the cost of full-day infant care (for children aged 2 to 18 months) and childcare (for children aged 18 months to 6 years).
This subsidy is paid directly to ECDA (Early Childhood Development Agency)-licensed centres, not to parents. Families simply pay the remaining fees after the subsidy is applied, along with any additional charges or adjustments to financial assistance.
Subsidy amounts depend on the principal applicant’s employment status and the type of programme the child is enrolled in:
- Working applicants:
- Infant care: S$600 per month
- Childcare: S$300 per month
- Non-working applicants:
- Infant or childcare: S$150 per month
To qualify, your child must be a Singapore citizen and enrolled in an ECDA-licensed infant or childcare centre.
Additional Subsidy
For families who are facing financial difficulties and need some extra help, there’s the Additional Subsidy.
This means-tested subsidy is designed to ease preschool costs, allowing parents to stay employed without the added worry of childcare expenses.
Eligible families can receive:
- Up to S$710 per month for infant care
- Up to S$467 per month for childcare
To qualify, both of the following criteria must be met:
- The principal applicant (a working mother, single parent, or single father) must work at least 56 hours per month.
- Household income must not exceed:
- S$12,000 gross monthly income; or
- S$3,000 per capita income (for families with five or more members, including at least three dependants without income).
Special Approval for Extra Subsidy Support
In certain situations where the principal applicant is temporarily unable to work, additional support may be granted under Special Approval. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and supporting documents are required.
If approved, families receive enhanced subsidies for a limited period, depending on their individual circumstances.
Non-working applicants may qualify if they are:
- Looking for employment, studying, or attending training (at least 56 hours/month)
- Pregnant or medically unfit for work due to hospitalisation, long-term illness, or disability
- Caring full-time for a child under 24 months
- Looking after a family member with special needs or medical conditions
- Incarcerated
Non-parent caregivers, such as grandparents, legal guardians, or foster parents, may also apply if they are the child’s primary caregiver.
Subsidies for Kindergarteners
Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)
Beyond childcare subsidies, the KiFAS helps make kindergarten more accessible for families with low to middle incomes. This means-tested support reduces the monthly fees for Singaporean children enrolled in eligible kindergartens.
The subsidy is paid directly to your child’s kindergarten, and you’ll only need to pay the balance (net fee) after the subsidy is applied. You can also use your child’s Child Development Account (CDA) to pay this remaining amount.
Depending on household income, the monthly subsidy ranges from S$19 to S$163, with lower-income families receiving more support.
To qualify:
- The child must be a Singapore citizen
- Enrolled in a kindergarten run by an Anchor Operator or the Ministry of Education (MOE)
- The family’s gross monthly household income must be S$12,000 or below, or per capita income of S$3,000 or less (for households with five or more members)
How to Apply for Subsidies
To apply for childcare subsidies or kindergarten fee assistance, submit your application through your child’s preschool or kindergarten centre. You’ll need to provide the relevant supporting documents, which the centre will forward to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
Make sure your contact details are up to date. You’ll receive an SMS and email to confirm that ECDA has received your application, and the outcome will also be communicated via text and email.
Other Ways to Manage Childcare Costs
Planning ahead is key when starting a family. This includes setting aside funds early in your marriage to prepare for the expenses of raising children.
Start by researching childcare costs in Singapore and estimating your projected expenses, including other household needs. Then have an open discussion with your partner about how to build up your savings together.
Another option is to take up a savings plan early on, aligning its maturity with when you expect to have a child or anticipate needing extra funds for your child’s care.
Provide the Best for Your Child
While childcare subsidies can ease part of the financial load, parents should also be prepared for other key expenses, especially healthcare. Young children are more prone to illness and accidents, which can lead to unexpected medical costs.
Consider enhancing your child’s protection with Enhanced IncomeShield, a health insurance plan that complements MediShield Life. It helps provide greater peace of mind when it comes to covering hospital stays and treatments.
You can also strengthen your child’s coverage with PA Secure, a personal accident plan that covers not just accidents, but also infectious diseases. PA Secure offers cCoverage for 7 infectious diseases1 such as Dengue Fever, Chicken Pox, HFMD and more. With the Optional Child and student care expenses2 benefit, you get childcare fees reimbursed if your insured child is hospitalised or on certified medical leave due to an injury or infectious disease.
To better understand how Income Insurance’s plans can support your family, speak to an advisor today.
1 This plan does not cover infectious disease diagnosed within 14 days from the policy start date as well as any infectious disease which has been announced as:
(a) an epidemic by the health authority in Singapore or the Government of the Republic of Singapore; or
(b) a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO),
in the affected countries, from the date of such announcement until the epidemic or pandemic ends.
2 The childcare and student care expenses optional benefit covers the insured child if he/she is unable to attend childcare or student care due to him/her:
- being required to stay as an inpatient in the hospital for 4 days or more due to an injury or an infectious disease; or
- being confined at home for 5 days or more underwritten medical advice by a medical practitioner due to an infectious disease.
This article is meant purely for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advise to buy or sell any product(s). It should not be relied upon as financial advice. The precise terms, conditions and exclusions of any Income Insurance products mentioned are specified in their respective policy contracts. Please seek independent financial advice before making any decision.
These policies are protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Income Insurance or visit the GIA/LIA or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
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