NDR 2026: Significantly lower childcare, infant care fees at government-supported preschools by 2030

NDR 2026: Significantly lower childcare, infant care fees at government-supported preschools by 2030 Absorbing more of the costs of childcare and preschool is “one of the best investments we can make”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. SINGAPORE: Childcare and infant care fees at government-supported preschools will be cut to less than half of current levels to make caregiving more affordable, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 23). The monthly fees for full-day childcare and infant care will be reduced to S$150 (US$120) and S$300 respectively by 2030. These lower fees will apply to every Singaporean child regardless of household income. The amounts are before means-testing, and lower-income families will pay even less. Currently, after basic subsidies, full-day childcare at government-supported preschools costs S$365 to S$559 a month, while full-day infant care costs S$746 to S$1,256 a month. With the changes, the government will absorb a much larger share of childcare and preschool costs, Mr Wong told the audience at ITE College Central. “But I believe this is one of the best investments we can make,” he said. “Because every child in Singapore, regardless of their family’s circumstances, deserves a good start in life.” The fee reductions will be implemented progressively from 2028, with more details on the timeline to come out in early 2027. MORE GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED PRESCHOOLS Government-supported centres today have enough places for about 80 per cent of preschoolers, said Mr Wong, who is also finance minister. He said the government wants the lower fees to be more widely available, and first needs to significantly expand the network of government-supported preschools. More help will be given to eligible preschool operators that wish to join the network and meet its requirements. “As the network expands, we will progressively bring fees down,” said Mr Wong. “Our goal is clear – quality, affordable preschool should be within every family’s budget, and easily accessible in every neighbourhood.” A phased approach gives the sector time to adjust sustainably while maintaining high standards, added the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and National Population and Talent Division (NPTD). These enhancements are among the first set of recommendations from the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup to be accepted by the government. The workgroup, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, will release a fuller set of recommendations in early 2027. SUBSIDIES REGARDLESS OF WORKING STATUS Mr Wong likened these efforts to how the government already makes primary education affordable regardless of household income and whether both parents are working. “Likewise, we want every Singaporean child to have access to quality preschool at fees that families can comfortably afford,” he said. The government will make preschool more affordable by extending full childcare and infant care subsidies to families regardless of the mother’s working status, MSF said. The mother is considered the main applicant for preschool subsidies, with single fathers as the main applicant in cases of divorce, separation or widowhood. Currently, full subsidies are only available to families where the main applicant is working. Non-working applicants are only eligible for a basic monthly subsidy of S$150 for both full-day childcare and infant care. Working applicants are eligible for a basic monthly subsidy of S$300 for full-day childcare and S$600 for full-day infant care. They are also eligible for a means-tested additional subsidy of up to S$467 for full-day childcare and S$710 for full-day infant care. Going forward, MSF and NPTD committed to making caregiving options in the preschool and primary school years more affordable. This includes ramping up the number of infant care spaces available and expanding the infant educator workforce. STUDENT CARE CENTRES Mr Wong added that government support will continue as children grow older. Demand for student care is rising, with every primary school now providing such services, he noted. “But we can and we will do more. We will expand capacity, improve the quality of care, and keep fees affordable. “We will also work with selected centres outside schools, to provide more options for parents,” he said. In the primary school years, the government currently takes a light-touch approach to overseeing student care centres, said NPTD. Centres that are registered with MSF must meet basic requirements and can administer means-tested fee assistance. These centres are located in every primary school and some are based in the community. Underscoring the government’s efforts, Mr Wong said: “The early years in a child’s life matter greatly. They shape how children learn, grow and thrive. “That is why, over the years, we have steadily expanded this sector,” he said. “Now we are ready to go further.”