Infant care costs in Singapore after subsidies

ECDA says government-supported centres charge at most S$1,235 or S$1,290 a month for full-day infant care, before GST and subsidies. MSF says a Singapore citizen baby aged 2 months to 18 months gets a Basic Subsidy of up to S$600 a month if the mother works, and lower-income families get more.

✓ Checked against official sources on 29 September 2026

After the Basic Subsidy: S$635 or S$690 a month at a government-supported centre

This sum is ours, from ECDA's fee caps and MSF's Basic Subsidy for a working mother. It is before GST and before any Additional Subsidy.

Fee caps: S$1,235 at Anchor Operators and S$1,290 at Partner Operators

ECDA says Anchor Operator centres cap full-day infant care at S$1,235 a month and Partner Operator centres at S$1,290 (before GST, before subsidies) for Singapore citizen children. Other centres set their own fees. Source: ECDA

Basic Subsidy: up to S$600 a month for a working mother

MSF says Singapore citizen children aged 2 to 18 months in full-day infant care get a Basic Subsidy of up to S$600 a month if the mother works, or S$150 if she does not. It is paid to the centre. Source: MSF (Made for Families)

Additional Subsidy: S$40 to S$710 more a month, by household income

MSF says working mothers with gross household income of S$12,000 a month or less get an Additional Subsidy of S$40 to S$710 a month for full-day infant care, on top of the Basic Subsidy. Lower incomes get more. The Ministry of Finance's Budget 2026 (Annex E-2) says the income ceiling rises from S$12,000 to S$15,000 from 1 January 2027, and that centres apply the new rates automatically, with nothing for families to do. Source: MSF (Made for Families) Source: Budget 2026 (MOF)

Announced: fees fall to about S$300 a month for infant care from 2028

population.gov.sg says the Government announced at the National Day Rally on 23 August 2026 that full-day fees at government-supported centres will fall to about S$300 a month for infant care and S$150 for childcare, before subsidies. It says the change will be phased in from 2028 and finished by 2030.

It also says families with Singapore citizen children will get full preschool subsidies whether or not the mother works. Details are due in early 2027.

From 18 months: childcare fee caps and subsidies

ECDA says Anchor Operator centres cap full-day childcare at S$610 a month and Partner Operator centres at S$650 (before GST, before subsidies) for Singapore citizen children. The 2026 Rally announced lower fees from 2028. Source: ECDA

MSF says Singapore citizen children from 18 months to below 7 years in full-day childcare get a Basic Subsidy of up to S$300 a month if the mother works, or S$150 if she does not. Source: MSF (Made for Families)

MSF says working mothers with gross household income of S$12,000 a month or less get an Additional Subsidy of S$80 to S$467 a month for full-day childcare. Larger families can be assessed on income per person. The Ministry of Finance's Budget 2026 (Annex E-2) says the income ceiling rises from S$12,000 to S$15,000 (S$3,000 to S$3,400 per person for larger families) from 1 January 2027, and that centres apply the new rates automatically, with nothing for families to do. Source: MSF (Made for Families) Source: Budget 2026 (MOF)

How and when to register for infant care, childcare and kindergarten · The Child Development Account, explained · The SG Child Support Package, explained · Planning parental leave between you · Hiring a helper when you have a baby

Sources

• ECDA: Partner Operator Scheme
• MSF (Made for Families): Subsidies for preschool
• ECDA: Anchor Operator Scheme
• Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026 Annex E-2
• population.gov.sg: Marriage and parenthood measures, National Day Rally 2026

✓ Checked against official sources on 29 September 2026

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