Childcare Subsidy Calculator
Estimate your ECDA Basic and Additional childcare or infant-care subsidies, and see the net monthly fee your family pays after support.
Childcare is for ages 18 months to below 7 years; infant care is for 2 to 18 months.
The Additional Subsidy applies only when the mother works at least 56 hours a month.
Additional Subsidy is tiered by income and stops above $12,000/month.
The full monthly fee before subsidy (varies by centre).
Net monthly fee after subsidy
$560
$640 total subsidy off a $1,200 fee
Basic Subsidy
$300
Additional Subsidy
$340
Total subsidy
$640
Estimates only. Subsidy rates use the 2026 full-day schedule; actual eligibility also depends on the mother's working hours, citizenship of the child, the centre being ECDA-licensed, and a per-capita income (PCI) test that can apply if it is more favourable. Confirm with ECDA and your preschool.
| Gross monthly household income | Additional Subsidy | Basic + Additional |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $3,000 | $467 | $767 |
| $3,001 – $4,500 | $440 | $740 |
| $4,501 – $6,000your band | $340 | $640 |
| $6,001 – $7,500 | $260 | $560 |
| $7,501 – $9,000 | $190 | $490 |
| $9,001 – $10,500 | $130 | $430 |
| $10,501 – $12,000 | $80 | $380 |
| Above $12,000 | — | $300 |
Non-working mothers receive a flat Basic Subsidy of $150/month and do not qualify for the Additional Subsidy.
How Singapore childcare subsidies work
Every Singapore Citizen child in an ECDA-licensed preschool gets a Basic Subsidy, and working mothers from lower- and middle-income families get an extra means-tested Additional Subsidy on top. Together these can cut a centre's monthly fee substantially — the maximum combined support is $767 a month for childcare and $1,310 a month for infant care.
Basic vs Additional Subsidy
The Basic Subsidy is fixed by care type and whether the mother works: $300 a month for childcare or $600 for infant care if she works at least 56 hours a month, and $150 a month otherwise. The Additional Subsidy is tiered by gross monthly household income and tapers off as income rises, reaching $0 once household income exceeds $12,000 (or per-capita income exceeds $3,000).
Adjust your care type, working status, household income and centre fee above to see the split between Basic and Additional Subsidy and your estimated net monthly fee. For related support, see our Baby Bonus & CDA and education-fund planners.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for childcare and infant-care subsidies?
Subsidies are for Singapore Citizen children enrolled in an ECDA-licensed childcare or infant-care centre. The Basic Subsidy is available to all working and non-working mothers. The larger Additional Subsidy is only for families where the mother works at least 56 hours a month and whose gross monthly household income is $12,000 or below (or per-capita income of $3,000 or below).
What is the difference between the Basic and Additional Subsidy?
The Basic Subsidy is a flat amount based on care type and working status — $300/month for childcare or $600/month for infant care if the mother works ($150/month if not). The Additional Subsidy is means-tested: lower-income working families get more, up to $467/month for childcare and $710/month for infant care, tapering to $0 above the income ceiling.
How is the net fee worked out?
Net fee = your centre’s gross monthly fee minus the Basic Subsidy minus the Additional Subsidy (the total is floored at $0). For example, a working mother with household income of $11,000 using a $1,200 childcare centre gets $300 Basic + $80 Additional = $380, leaving a net fee of $820 a month before GST.
Does household income or per-capita income decide my subsidy?
ECDA uses gross monthly household income by default, but applies a per-capita income (PCI) test instead when it gives you a higher subsidy — useful for larger households. This calculator uses household income; if your PCI band is more favourable, your actual subsidy may be higher. The income ceiling is also set to rise from $12,000 to $15,000 on 1 January 2027.