Infant Care Subsidy in Singapore (2025): Eligibility & Benefits
In Singapore, the government provides financial assistance to support families with young children through various infant care subsidies. These subsidies aim to reduce the financial burden on low-income families and ensure that children receive quality early childhood education and care. Types of Infant Care Subsidies The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) offers two main types…
Basic Subsidy: Available to all Singapore Citizen (SC) children enrolled in an ECDA-licensed infant care centre. Families with children in these childcare centres licensed by ECDA can directly benefit from the government subsidy, which is crucial for managing preschool expenses.
Additional Subsidy: Available to families who meet specific income criteria and where the main applicant (mother or single father) is working at the time of the subsidy application.
Infant Care Subsidy Amounts
The subsidy amounts vary based on the working status of the main applicant and the family’s income level. The table below summarises the subsidies available for full-day infant care programmes:
Note: The exact amount of the Additional Subsidy depends on the family’s income level.
Infant Care Subsidy: General Info
Application Process
The subsidy application is typically facilitated by the infant or childcare centre during the child’s enrolment. Parents are required to provide the necessary documentation to verify income and employment status. The subsidies are then disbursed directly to the infant care centre, reducing the preschool fees for parents.
But by the end of March 2025, all parents will be able to apply for preschool subsidies via the LifeSG application, reducing the time spent on such paperwork. Please approach your preschool if you need clarification on the subsidy application process that applies to your centre.
Eligibility Criteria
Basic Subsidy: All SC children enrolled in an ECDA-licensed infant care centre are eligible.
Additional Subsidy: To qualify, the following conditions must be met:
The main applicant must be working at least 56 hours per month.
The family’s gross monthly household income (HHI) must be $12,000 or below; or
For households with five or more family members, the per capita income (PCI) must be $3,000 or below.
Calculating Household and Per Capita Income
Gross Monthly Household Income (HHI): The total gross monthly income of all family members living in the same household, also known as the monthly gross household income.
Per Capita Income (PCI): Calculated by dividing the total gross monthly household income by the number of family members residing in the same household.
Special Approval (SA) for Non-Working Applicants
Non-working main applicants may still qualify for subsidies under Special Approval (SA) if they meet certain conditions, such as:
Actively seeking employment
Undergoing training or education for at least 56 hours per month.
Pregnancy.
Medical conditions preventing employment
Permanent disability
Caring for a special needs child or a sick family member
Caring for a younger child aged 24 months and below who is not enrolled in a preschool
Approval under SA is granted for a limited period, depending on individual circumstances.
Minimum Co-Payment
Regardless of the subsidy amount, families are subject to a minimum co-payment for infant care services. This minimum co-payment applies to Singapore Citizen children enrolled in infant care services. The co-payment amount increases progressively with higher household or per capita income levels.
My First Skool is one of the leading providers of quality early childhood education and infant care in Singapore.
As one of the Anchor Operator Partners (AOP) licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), My First Skool ensures that all eligible children receive the applicable Basic and Additional Subsidies, making quality infant care accessible to more families.
Over 160 Centres Islandwide – Quality Childcare, Minutes from Home
Every year, over 26,000 families all across Singapore see their children benefit from our relationship-based curriculum – one that emphasises forging strong bonds between children, teachers and parents. Find a centre near you or take a virtual tour to explore our learning environments and learn how your child can thrive.
