Singapore’s National Day Rally 2026 introduced a big shift in preschool affordability for families with children. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong revealed plans to lower fees at government-supported preschools, starting progressively from 2028. It’s a bold move, honestly.
By 2030, full-day childcare fees are supposed to drop to S$150 a month, and infant care to S$300 per Singaporean child, before any extra means-tested support kicks in. These rates are meant for everyone, regardless of household income, though families with tighter budgets could pay even less.
This overhaul also opens up subsidies to families no matter the mother’s working status, and comes with efforts to boost government-supported preschool places and infant care capacity. So, if you’re a parent, you might want to keep an eye on these fee targets, the rollout plan, and all the extra support to figure out what NDR 2026 could mean for your childcare costs.
The $150 and $300 Preschool Fee Targets
Singapore’s aiming to cap preschool fees at government-supported centres: S$150 a month for full-day childcare and S$300 a month for full-day infant care by 2030. These are pre-means testing numbers, so if your family qualifies for extra subsidies, you might end up paying less.
Who Will Pay the New Rates
Every Singaporean child enrolled in a government-supported preschool will be eligible for these lower base rates, regardless of income. Lower-income families can still get means-tested subsidies, so their out-of-pocket costs could dip below S$150 (childcare) or S$300 (infant care).
This update also means full childcare and infant care subsidies will be open to families even if the mother isn’t working. Right now, non-working parents usually get just a basic S$150 monthly subsidy, while working parents can get more, depending on income.
Remember, these targets refer to fees before means testing. Parents really should double-check the difference between the published fee ceiling and what they’ll actually pay after subsidies.
Current Fees Compared With the 2030 Targets
At the moment, monthly fees are quite a bit higher, even after basic subsidies. Full-day childcare at government-supported preschools is usually S$365 to S$559, and full-day infant care goes for about S$746 to S$1,256.
| Service | Current monthly fee after basic subsidy | 2030 target before means testing |
|---|---|---|
| Full-day childcare | S$365–S$559 | S$150 |
| Full-day infant care | S$746–S$1,256 | S$300 |
So, if these targets come through, childcare fees could drop by more than half at the lower end. Infant care, which is pricier to begin with, would see an even bigger cut. But the actual savings? That’ll depend on your centre, your subsidy eligibility, and whether you qualify for extra help.
Which Preschools Are Covered
Just to be clear, these targets are for government-supported preschools—not every private preschool in Singapore. These centres get government backing and have to meet certain requirements for service, affordability, and standards.
Currently, about 80% of preschoolers have a spot at a government-supported centre. The government wants to grow this network, helping more operators join in, including anchor operators and partner operators who meet the criteria.
So, before you assume the new fee targets apply, check if your preferred centre is in the supported network. Private preschools outside the network can set their own fees, even if they offer similar services.
The expansion is supposed to make affordable preschool more available in different neighbourhoods, plus boost infant care spots and strengthen the workforce for the littlest kids.
When Lower Fees Will Begin
Don’t expect the fee cuts overnight. The plan is to roll them out from 2028, with S$150 childcare and S$300 infant care targets set for 2030.
The phased approach gives operators time to ramp up capacity and sort out their operations without dropping service standards. It also lets the government bring more centres into the network before the lower fees kick in everywhere.
We’ll probably get more details on the rollout in early 2027. Until then, families are stuck with current fees, minus any basic or extra subsidies they qualify for.
Subsidies, Access, and Wider Family Support
This isn’t just about lower fees. Singapore’s changes include broader subsidy eligibility, more government-supported places, and extra help as kids move into primary education. There are also tweaks coming to childcare leave, direct payments, education savings, and even housing.
How Subsidies Will Change for Non-Working Parents
Families with a Singapore Citizen child will get full preschool subsidies, regardless of whether the main applicant is working. This is a real shift for non-working parents, who used to get less support unless they were employed.
Government-supported preschools are set to gradually lower monthly fees to $150 for full-day childcare and $300 for infant care (again, before means testing). The rollout starts in 2028, aiming for full implementation by 2030. Lower-income families can still get extra fee assistance through means-tested support.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other agencies should release more details about eligibility and the rollout in early 2027. Don’t forget: the announced fee targets aren’t always what you’ll actually pay, especially if your centre isn’t in the government-supported network.
Expanding Places and the Preschool Network
Of course, lower fees only matter if you can actually get a spot. The government wants to grow the government-supported preschool operator network and add more infant care spaces. They’ll also help eligible operators transition into this network.
Another big piece: ramping up the infant educator workforce. Infant care needs more staff per child and specific training, so more educators and centres should help with access. Still, availability will depend on your location, demand, and whether your chosen centre has space.
If you’re looking for a spot, check directly with centres about availability. Don’t just assume the new target fee is available everywhere. MSF and other agencies are expected to share more on how the changes will roll out before the phased reductions begin.
Student Care and Childcare Leave for Working Parents
Support doesn’t stop at preschool. The government is looking at more affordable and accessible care options for primary schoolers too, like student care arrangements. Parents should check with individual student care centres for hours, availability, and fees—these can really vary.
The current Childcare Leave and Extended Childcare Leave schemes will be merged into a single Childcare Leave scheme for working parents with kids aged 12 and under. The government will cover the cost of eligible child-related leave, up to the reimbursement limit, so employers aren’t left footing the bill when staff take time off for their kids.
Details on when the new leave scheme kicks in and exactly how it’ll work aren’t out yet. Working parents might want to hang tight for official info before making any big plans around leave or expecting new entitlements.
Other NDR 2026 Support for Raising Children
The SG Child Support Package is set to replace both the Baby Bonus and Large Families schemes, offering help from birth right up to age 17. What’s in it? There’s a $10,000 Baby Gift (which honestly sounds pretty generous), $32,000 in Child Credits paid out as $2,000 each year from ages one to 16, a $5,000 CDA First Step Grant, up to $5,000 in government co-matching, and then a $10,000 PSEA top-up once the child turns 17. Not bad, right?
When you throw in the newborn MediSave grant and Edusave contributions, the total direct support per Singapore Citizen child lands at about $70,000. Families with more kids aren’t left out either—they’ll still get extra help, like the Large Family MediSave Grant. There’s talk of further transport and housing support, but that’s apparently still being discussed.
Starting from the February 2027 sales exercise, first-timer families with kids (or expecting them) will get an extra ballot chance for each Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and under when applying for BTO flats and Sale of Balance Flats. All these changes? They’re part of what the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup suggested, and the Government’s given the green light.