NDR 2026: Monthly childcare fees to fall by more than half to $150 by 2030, infant care fees to drop to $300

SINGAPORE - Parents will pay less than half of today’s pre-school fees by 2030, as the Government pushes to make childcare more affordable for families.

Fees for a full day of childcare at government-supported pre-schools will be cut to $150 a month, while infant care fees will fall to $300 a month.

These fee cuts are part of the Government’s broader goals to ensure a quality affordable pre-school education is within every family’s budget and easily accessible in every neighbourhood, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23.

He announced a suite of new moves to support families at the National Day Rally, including more childcare leave and a new financial support package of up to $62,000 for every Singaporean child.

The authorities will gradually reduce the childcare and infant care fees from 2028 and aim to reach the target levels by 2030.

All families will also be able to benefit from full childcare and infant care subsidies eventually, regardless of the applicant’s working status.

Currently, full subsidies are available only to families whose main subsidy applicants are working, and comprise a basic and an additional means-tested subsidy of up to $767 for childcare and $1,310 for infant care.

More details on the fee cuts and subsidy extension, including when they will be implemented, will be announced in early 2027.

PM Wong said these changes are aimed at bringing support for government-supported pre-schools closer to that provided for primary education.

Today, Singaporeans enjoy affordable primary education regardless of household income, and regardless of whether both parents are working, he said.

“Likewise, we want every Singaporean child to have access to quality pre-school at fees that families can comfortably afford.”

PM Wong said the new lower fees will apply to every Singaporean child regardless of household income. Lower-income families will continue to get additional subsidies, and pay even less, he added.

He noted that the Government has been progressively lowering pre-school fees and expanding the supply of subsidised places.

“But above a certain income level, childcare costs can still be substantial,” he said.

“So we will change our approach.”

Today, a working parent pays $365 or $746 for a full day of childcare or infant care respectively at an anchor operator pre-school. At a partner operator pre-school, it would cost $409 or $806 for the same.

PM Wong said the Government wants the lower fees to be more widely available, but will need a few years to get there.

It will “significantly expand” the network of government-supported pre-school operators and additional support will be provided to eligible non-government-supported operators that wish to come onboard, he said.

Currently, government-supported pre-schools offer sufficient places to at least eight in 10 pre-schoolers.

PM Wong said that with the changes, the Government will absorb a much larger share of childcare and pre-school costs.

“But I believe this is one of the best investments we can make. Because every child in Singapore, regardless of their family’s circumstances, deserves a good start in life.”

In a statement on Aug 23, the Ministry of Social and Family Development said this phased approach gives the sector the time needed to adjust sustainably, while ensuring that quality of care and education is maintained throughout the transition.

The number of infant-care spaces available will also be ramped up, and the infant educator workforce will be expanded, said the ministry.

PM Wong said his Government’s support will continue as children grow older.

He acknowledged rising demand for student care, noting that every primary school currently provides for it.

“But we can and we will do more. We will expand capacity, improve the quality of care, and keep fees affordable.”

He added that the authorities will also work with selected centres outside schools, to provide more options for parents.

Watch PM Wong’s National Day Rally speech here: