World · Singapore Bureau
Singapore to slash childcare fees by half, targeting affordability by 2030
Singapore's government has announced ambitious plans to reduce monthly childcare fees to $150 and infant care costs to $300 by 2030, as part of broader efforts to support working families. The initiative will extend full subsidies to all families regardless of employment status.
LSN Singapore ·
Singapore has committed to significantly reducing childcare costs over the coming years, with monthly fees for childcare services set to drop by more than half to $150 by 2030, while infant care charges will fall to $300 monthly. The move represents a substantial shift in the government's approach to supporting families with young children.
The cost reductions form part of wider policy adjustments unveiled during the National Day Rally address, reflecting policymakers' recognition of childcare expenses as a key barrier to workforce participation and family formation among Singaporeans.
Under the new framework, all families will eventually qualify for full childcare and infant care subsidies, irrespective of whether parents are in formal employment. This universal approach marks a departure from means-tested subsidy models, aiming to provide more equitable access to early childhood care across income levels.
The government has indicated that the transition to these lower fee structures will occur progressively between now and 2030, allowing childcare operators and families time to adjust to the new arrangements. Officials have emphasized that the measures are designed to ease financial pressures on working parents while expanding early childhood education and care capacity across the island.