How Much Childcare Subsidy Can I Get in Singapore?
Income-tested childcare subsidy tables, real out-of-pocket cost examples, and how to calculate what your family will actually pay each month.
Who Qualifies for Childcare Subsidy?
The childcare subsidy applies to families enrolled at ECDA-licensed Anchor Operator (AO) or Partner Operator (PO) centres. Families at private (unsubsidised) centres do not qualify.
| Condition | Required? |
|---|---|
| Child is a Singapore Citizen | Yes (for full basic subsidy; PR gets half) |
| Mother is working, studying, or on medical grounds | Yes (for basic subsidy) |
| Enrolled at AO or PO centre (not private) | Yes |
| Gross household income below S$7,500/mo | Required only for additional subsidy tier |
Subsidy Amounts by Programme Type
There are two subsidy layers: the Basic Subsidy (applies to all qualifying families regardless of income) and the Additional Subsidy (income-tested).
Basic Subsidy (All qualifying families, SC child, working mother)
Full-day infant care: up to S$710/month
Full-day childcare (18mo to 6yr): up to S$300/month
Half-day childcare: up to S$150/month
Additional Subsidy by Household Income
On top of the basic subsidy, families below the income threshold receive an additional monthly subsidy. Both parents must be working or studying.
| Gross Monthly Household Income | Additional Subsidy (Infant Care) | Additional Subsidy (Childcare) |
|---|---|---|
| S$3,000 and below | Up to S$710/mo | Up to S$467/mo |
| S$3,001 to S$4,500 | Up to S$570/mo | Up to S$374/mo |
| S$4,501 to S$6,000 | Up to S$380/mo | Up to S$247/mo |
| S$6,001 to S$7,500 | Up to S$190/mo | Up to S$120/mo |
| Above S$7,500 | No additional subsidy | No additional subsidy |
Real Out-of-Pocket Cost Examples
Using a gross infant care fee of S$1,600 per month (typical AO centre) as the reference:
| Household Income | Basic Subsidy | Additional Subsidy | You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| S$2,500 | S$710 | S$710 | ~S$180 |
| S$4,000 | S$710 | S$570 | ~S$320 |
| S$5,500 | S$710 | S$380 | ~S$510 |
| S$7,000 | S$710 | S$190 | ~S$700 |
| S$10,000 | S$710 | S$0 | ~S$890 |
Your CDA balance (from the Baby Bonus scheme) can be used to pay childcare fees at AO and PO centres directly. This effectively reduces what you pay out of pocket each month, especially in the early years when your CDA balance is building up.
PR child note: Permanent Resident children receive half the basic subsidy compared to SC children (S$355/mo for infant care instead of S$710/mo) and are not eligible for the additional subsidy. This makes AO centres still more affordable for PR families than private centres, but the savings are smaller.
Medical disclaimer: subsidy amounts are set by ECDA and MSF and subject to change. These are indicative calculations. Verify current rates at ecda.gov.sg.