What Are Childcare Subsidies in Singapore?
Childcare subsidies in Singapore are government-funded financial assistance programmes designed to reduce the out-of-pocket costs that families pay for early childhood education and care. Administered primarily by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), these subsidies are applied directly to your child’s fees at licensed childcare centres and MOE kindergartens, meaning you pay less each month without needing to claim reimbursement separately.
There are three main schemes to be aware of: the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), which applies to childcare centres; the Additional Subsidy (AICS), which provides further relief for lower-income households; and the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS), which supports families whose children attend AOP or MOE kindergartens. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, calculation method, and application process, but together, they form a comprehensive safety net that helps many Singapore families access quality early childhood education.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS): The Foundation of Support
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the baseline subsidy available to most Singapore families who enrol their children in licensed childcare centres. To qualify, at least one parent must be working, studying, or unable to care for the child due to a medical condition or disability. Singapore Citizen children are eligible for the full CCS, while Permanent Resident children may receive a lower rate of support.
The amount you receive under CCS depends on your household’s gross monthly income (GMI): that is, the combined income of both parents before deductions. Families with a lower GMI receive a higher subsidy, and the support scales progressively so that those who need it most benefit the most. For infant care, subsidies can be substantial, given that infant care fees tend to be higher than toddler or pre-schooler rates.
Here is a general overview of how the CCS works for childcare centres (figures are indicative and subject to ECDA updates):
✓Full-day childcare (Singapore Citizens): Subsidies range from $150 (non-working applicant) up to $767 per month for childcare, or up to $1,310 per month for infant care, depending on your income bracket.
✓Part-day childcare: Lower subsidy amounts apply for part-day enrolment.
✓Working vs non-working mothers: If the mother is not working, the subsidy is reduced, though a base amount may still apply in certain circumstances.
It is worth checking the ECDA website or speaking to your chosen pre-school’s administration team for the most current subsidy tables, as figures are reviewed periodically.
Additional Subsidy (AICS): Extra Help for Lower-Income Families
On top of the CCS, families who earn less receive the Additional Subsidy (AICS), which provides extra financial relief specifically for lower- and middle-income households. The AICS is means-tested, meaning the subsidy amount is calculated based on your family’s per capita income (PCI): your household’s gross monthly income divided by the number of people living in your home.
The AICS is particularly valuable because it can significantly bring down the net fees payable to near-zero for families in the lowest income brackets. For Singapore Citizen children enrolled in full-day childcare, some families may pay as little as a few dollars per month after both CCS and AICS are applied. The scheme recognises that quality early childhood education should be accessible to every child regardless of family income, and it goes a long way towards making that a reality.
Key points to note about AICS eligibility:
- The child must be a Singapore Citizen to qualify for AICS.
- Both parents must be working (or meet specific exemption criteria such as being a full-time student, conscript, or having a medical condition).
- The household per capita income must fall within the qualifying range set by ECDA.
- The child must be enrolled in a licensed childcare centre that participates in the ECDA subsidy scheme.
If your family qualifies for AICS, it is automatically assessed alongside your CCS application, so you do not need to submit a separate form specifically for this additional layer of support.
KiFAS: Subsidy Support for Kindergartens
The Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) is designed to help families defray the cost of preschool education. It applies to Singaporean children attending MOE Kindergartens (MOE) or kindergartens run by Anchor Operators (AOP), such as PCF Sparkletots.
Unlike the Childcare Subsidy (CCS), which applies to full-day or half-day licensed childcare centres, KiFAS is specifically tailored for the kindergarten level (K1 and K2, typically for children aged 5 and 6) within these government-supported and anchor operator programmes.
KiFAS is an income-based subsidy structured to ensure that quality early education remains affordable. Families with a gross monthly household income of $3,000 and below receive the maximum subsidy, meaning they could pay as little as $1 per month in school fees. The scheme scales progressively, offering partial financial assistance to households earning up to $12,000 per month.
Important things to know about KiFAS:
- Eligibility: The child must be a Singapore Citizen enrolled in an MOE Kindergarten or an approved Anchor Operator (AOP) kindergarten.
- Income ceiling: The gross monthly household income must not exceed $12,000 (or a Per Capita Income of $3,000 for larger households with 5 or more members) to qualify for assistance.
- Application: Parents can apply directly through their child’s kindergarten upon enrolment. The centre’s administrative team will guide you through the necessary documentation.
- Annual renewal: KiFAS subsidies are reviewed annually. You will be required to update your household income information each year to continue receiving the support.
⚠️Note: KiFAS applies strictly to MOE and Anchor Operator kindergartens. It does not apply to private kindergartens. If your child is enrolled in a childcare or infant care centre rather than a standard K1/K2 kindergarten programme, the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) scheme will apply instead.
