How much subsidy do you actually get for childcare in Singapore?
If you are a Singapore Citizen parent with a child in childcare, your child is eligible for preschool subsidies. The system has two parts. This is how it actually works, in plain language.
The two types of subsidies
Basic Subsidy
Every Singapore Citizen child in an ECDA-licensed childcare centre gets this. You do not need to pass any income test. It is not tied to how much you earn.
Additional Subsidy
This is means-tested. It depends on your gross monthly household income (HHI) or per capita income (PCI) if your household has 5 or more people. The lower your income, the more you get.
There is one condition. The main applicant must be working at least 56 hours per month. This includes full-time, part-time, and freelance work. If the main applicant is not working, you still get the Basic Subsidy but typically not the Additional Subsidy, unless you qualify for Special Approval.
The actual subsidy amounts
Childcare (18 months to 6 years)
| Subsidy type | Working mother | Non-working mother |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Subsidy | $300 / month | $150 / month |
| Additional Subsidy | Up to $467 / month | None (unless Special Approval) |
| Maximum total | $767 / month | $150 / month |
Infant Care (2 to 18 months)
| Subsidy type | Working mother | Non-working mother |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Subsidy | $600 / month | $150 / month |
| Additional Subsidy | Up to $710 / month | None (unless Special Approval) |
| Maximum total | $1,310 / month | $150 / month |
The Additional Subsidy amount depends on your income tier. The exact figure is computed automatically based on your HHI or PCI. You do not need to calculate it yourself.
December 2024 update: More families now qualify for full subsidies
From 9 December 2024, families with a gross monthly household income of $6,000 or below, or PCI of $1,500 or below for households of 5 or more, now receive full childcare subsidies regardless of whether the main applicant is working. Full subsidies means Basic Subsidy plus the maximum Additional Subsidy tier.
This also applies automatically. If you already receive subsidies and your income falls within these thresholds, your centre will be notified.
What your fees actually look like
Partner Operator centres have government-capped fees.
As of 2025, full-day childcare at POP centres has a fee cap. Check with your specific centre for their current fee structure.
Subsidies are paid directly to the centre. You only pay the difference between the fee and the subsidy amount.
Example: Working mother, HHI $3,000, full-day childcare
- Full-day childcare fee at POP centre: say $900/month
- Basic Subsidy: $300
- Additional Subsidy (income tier): $467
- Total subsidy: $767
- Your monthly payment: $900 minus $767 = $133
Example: Working mother, HHI $8,000, full-day childcare
- Full-day childcare fee: $900/month
- Basic Subsidy: $300
- Additional Subsidy: Lower tier, say $200
- Total subsidy: $500
- Your monthly payment: $900 minus $500 = $400
The exact Additional Subsidy amount depends on where your HHI falls in the income tiers. ECDA publishes the full subsidy tier tables on their website.
The minimum co-payment rule
There is one thing many parents do not expect. Even if your subsidy is higher than the centre fee, you may still have to pay a small minimum co-payment.
For families with HHI of $3,000 and below in full-day childcare, the minimum co-payment is $3 per month. This means if your total subsidy is $767 and your centre fee is $740, you pay $3, not $0.
The minimum co-payment increases as your income rises. It is not a loophole or a hidden charge. It is just the government making sure every family contributes something.
What if the main applicant is not working?
You still qualify for the Basic Subsidy ($150/month for childcare). If you have a valid reason for not working, you may also apply for Special Approval to receive higher subsidies on a time-limited basis. Valid reasons include:
- Looking for a job
- Studying or training at least 56 hours per month
- Pregnant
- Medically unfit for work
- Taking care of a special needs child
- Caring full-time for another child aged 24 months or younger not in preschool
How to apply: The LifeSG process (updated December 2024)
ECDA moved subsidy applications to the LifeSG app from December 2024. Here is how it works now.
Step 1: Confirm a place at the preschool
You can only apply for subsidies after your child has a confirmed place. The centre will handle the enrolment formalities including their own enrolment form and deposit collection.
Step 2: Make sure your Singpass and Myinfo are updated
Both you and your spouse need Singpass to access the LifeSG form. Check your Myinfo data through the Singpass app and update anything that is wrong before you start. Your subsidy is means-tested through a system called HOMES, which pulls data from multiple government agencies. If your Myinfo is outdated, the wrong income data gets used.
Step 3: Wait for the form link from the centre
On or after your child’s first day at the centre, the preschool triggers the subsidy application form in LifeSG. You will receive an email with the link. If you do not see it within the first week, contact the centre.
Step 4: Complete the form within 14 days
Both you and your spouse must fill out the form within 14 calendar days. LifeSG will acknowledge your submission by email. ECDA will then process the application and notify you of the outcome within 1 to 4 weeks.
Step 5: Subsidies go directly to the centre
Once approved, the subsidies are paid by the government directly to the preschool. You only pay the nett amount after subsidies are deducted.
Key things to know
- Subsidies only apply to Singapore Citizen children
- The centre must be ECDA-licensed
- Your child must attend at least one day per month to qualify for that month’s subsidy
- Subsidies are reviewed at fixed points, not continuously
- The main applicant is always the mother, unless she is unavailable (divorced, separated, widowed), in which case it is the single father
- If you transfer to a different preschool, it is treated as a new enrolment and your household income will be reassessed
Is it worth applying?
Yes. If your child is a Singapore Citizen in licensed childcare and you are not applying, you are leaving money on the table. The Basic Subsidy alone is $300/month for working mothers. That is $3,600 per year. The Additional Subsidy, if you qualify, can bring the total to $767/month or more.
The application is straightforward. Your centre triggers the LifeSG form on your child’s first day. The key thing is to complete it within 14 days and make sure your Myinfo is up to date so the income data in HOMES is correct.