ECDA Basic + Additional Subsidy · 2026 rates
Childcare Subsidy Calculator
Singapore · ECDA Basic + Additional Subsidy · 2026 rates
Singapore Citizen children enrolled in a licensed full-day childcare or infant care centre are eligible for an ECDA Basic Subsidy — up to $600/month for infant care or $300/month for childcare (working mothers) — plus an income-tested Additional Subsidy of up to $710/month for households earning $3,000 or below. Non-working mothers receive $150/month Basic Subsidy for both programmes, with no Additional Subsidy.
ECDA 2026 Rates
Estimate your childcare subsidy
Fill in the fields below — your estimated net monthly fee updates instantly.
Use your centre's published fee — find it on each centre page. GST-registered centres add 9% on top.
Enter your centre's gross monthly fee above to see your estimated net fee.
Disclaimer: Estimates use ECDA subsidy rates effective from the 18 November 2025 revision. Your actual subsidy depends on your verified household income, the mother's working hours, your child's citizenship, and the centre's licensed fees (plus GST where applicable). ECDA Basic and Additional Subsidies apply to Singapore Citizen children only. Apply through your ECDA-licensed preschool.
Basic subsidy rates
ECDA Basic Subsidy — 2026 rates
Applies to Singapore Citizen children in licensed full-day programmes. Work status is based on the mother working at least 56 hours per month.
Additional subsidy tiers
ECDA Additional Subsidy — by household income
Working mothers (≥ 56 hrs/mo) with a gross monthly household income of $12,000 or below qualify. Amounts are per month, on top of the Basic Subsidy.
Common questions
Childcare subsidy in Singapore — what parents ask
What is the difference between Basic and Additional Subsidy?
The ECDA Basic Subsidy is a fixed monthly amount for Singapore Citizen children enrolled in a licensed full-day childcare or infant care centre. Working mothers (≥ 56 hours per month) receive $300/month for childcare and $600/month for infant care; non-working mothers receive $150/month for both programmes. The Additional Subsidy is income-tested — it is layered on top of the Basic Subsidy for working mothers with a gross monthly household income of $12,000 or below, and ranges from $40 to $710 per month depending on income and programme type.
Who qualifies for the Additional Subsidy?
To qualify for the ECDA Additional Subsidy, the child must be a Singapore Citizen, enrolled in a full-day programme at a licensed ECDA childcare or infant care centre, and the mother must work at least 56 hours per month. The gross monthly household income must be $12,000 or below. The subsidy amount decreases as income rises — from a maximum of $467/month (childcare) or $710/month (infant care) for households earning $3,000 or below, tapering to $0 for income above $12,000.
Do PRs and foreigners get childcare subsidy in Singapore?
No. ECDA Basic and Additional Subsidies apply to Singapore Citizen children only. Permanent Resident and foreigner families pay the centre's published gross fee in full (minus any employer childcare benefits or other assistance). PR and foreigner families should confirm the full fee directly with their chosen centre.
How do I apply for the childcare subsidy?
You do not apply directly to ECDA. Once your child is enrolled in an ECDA-licensed preschool, the centre submits the subsidy application on your behalf. The subsidy is paid directly to the centre, and the centre offsets it from your monthly bill — you are invoiced only the net amount. Bring your NRIC, your child's birth certificate, and proof of income (e.g. recent payslip or CPF contribution history) when enrolling.
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