Infant Care & Childcare Subsidy Calculator
Estimate ECDA basic and additional subsidies for a Singapore Citizen child in full-day infant care or childcare, using working-status and household-income bands from 1 January 2026 (infant-care additional rates unchanged since 2023).
Usually the mother, or a single father. Working means at least 56 hours a month, including freelance.
ECDA uses household income or per-capita income (income ÷ household size). The more generous band applies.
Family members sharing the same address. PCI = income ÷ size. Helpful when 5 or more people live together.
Gross fee before subsidy. Leave 0 to see subsidy only. Net fee is never below the published minimum co-pay.
Subsidy estimate
Citizen children in licensed centres only. Additional subsidy needs a working applicant and income/PCI within the ceiling ($12,000 / $3,000 in 2026). Centres and ECDA confirm the actual amount. Not an application.
About this infant care and childcare subsidy calculator
Licensed infant-care and childcare centres in Singapore can claim ECDA subsidies for Singapore Citizen children. A working mother (or single father) working at least 56 hours a month receives a basic subsidy of $600 for full-day infant care or $300 for full-day childcare. Non-working applicants receive $150 basic and no additional subsidy on this table.
On top of basic, lower- and middle-income working families receive an additional subsidy that steps down as income rises. From 1 January 2026, full-day childcare additional subsidy runs from $467 (household income $3,000 and below) to $80 (up to $12,000). Infant-care additional amounts (unchanged since 1 January 2023) run from $710 down to $40. Families still pay a published minimum co-pay even when the centre fee is fully “covered” on paper.
Worked example: working mother, full-day childcare, household income $3,000, centre fee $800. Basic $300 + additional $467 = $767. Net fee is max($3, $800 − $767) = $33.
Per-capita income can place a large household in a more generous band than raw household income. Half-day and flexi-care tables exist; this calculator focuses on full-day, the usual search intent.
Not ECDA advice. Apply through the centre. Rates can change (income ceiling rises again in 2027).
How to use it
- Choose infant care or childcare.
- Select working or not working.
- Enter household income and size.
- Optional: enter the centre’s gross monthly fee to see net fees after min co-pay.
Key terms and concepts
Basic subsidy depends on working status and programme, not income.
Additional subsidy is means-tested for working applicants.
Minimum co-pay is the floor parents still pay.
PCI is household income divided by household size.
Common use cases
- Comparing infant-care versus childcare net fees at the same income.
- Checking whether a $6,000 household still gets additional subsidy.
- Budgeting Baby Bonus CDA funds against remaining fees.
Examples
Example 1 — working, childcare, HHI $3,000, fee $800. Subsidy $767, net $33.
Example 2 — working, infant care, HHI $3,000, fee $1,400. Subsidy $1,310, net max($40, $90) = $90.
Example 3 — not working, childcare. Basic $150 only.
Example 4 — working, HHI $13,000, size 3. Basic $300, no additional subsidy.
Important notes
Citizen children in ECDA-licensed centres. PR children follow different (usually lower) rules.
The centre files the application; this page cannot enrol you.
Half-day and flexi-care amounts differ — see the ECDA PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the basic childcare subsidy in Singapore?
For a working applicant, $300 a month for full-day childcare and $600 for full-day infant care. Non-working applicants receive $150 basic.
What is the maximum additional subsidy in 2026?
$467 a month for full-day childcare and $710 for full-day infant care, at household income of $3,000 or less (or PCI $750 or less).
Who counts as a working mother?
The main applicant (usually the mother, or a single father) who works at least 56 hours a month.
What is minimum co-pay?
A published floor so parents still pay a small amount even when subsidies are large. Net fee is the greater of co-pay and fee minus subsidies.
Does household size matter?
Yes. ECDA can use per-capita income. A larger household may qualify for a more generous band.
Is Kindergarten Fee Assistance included?
No. This page is infant care and childcare centre subsidies, not KiFAS.
Are 2027 income-ceiling changes included?
No. The 2026 table uses a $12,000 household-income ceiling. Recheck ECDA in 2027.
Is this ECDA advice?
No. Confirm with your centre and ECDA. Rates can change.