SINGAPORE: Parents in Singapore will get more help with preschool fees, as Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a series of measures to “build a Singapore made for families” on Friday (Feb 16).
There is a focus on lower-income families with young children, with new ComLink+ Progress Packages designed to support them, in what Mr Wong described in his Budget speech as a “major innovation” in Singapore’s social policy landscape.
This is what families can look forward to.
LOWER PRESCHOOL FEES
The government aims to make full-day preschool expenses for dual-income families comparable to those of primary school and after-school student care, said Mr Wong, who is also finance minister.
First, the monthly childcare fee caps in government-supported preschools will be lowered in 2025. The caps will be reduced to S$640 for anchor operator preschools, and S$680 for partner operator preschools, down from S$680 and S$720 per month, respectively.
There will be another move to lower fee caps in 2026. Details will be announced later.
Second, the government will enhance existing preschool subsidies for lower-income families. The higher subsidies that are currently given to children with working mothers will be extended to all children from lower-income families, including those with mothers who are not working.
This will benefit up to 17,000 children, said Mr Wong.
COMLINK+ PROGRESS PACKAGES
Lower-income families with young children who live in public rental flats will get more help though the new ComLink+ Progress Packages.
Families in ComLink+ can receive financial top-ups when they make progress on long-term goals, working with family coaches assigned by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
There will be four ComLink+ Progress Packages, each geared towards the long-term goals of preschool education, sustained employment, financial stability and saving for home ownership.
The preschool education package will be the first to be implemented in the second half of 2024, with the other three to be launched from 2025 onwards.
In the preschool package, for example, a family will receive top-ups to a child’s Child Development Assistance account if they ensure the child’s preschool enrolment and regular preschool attendance.
In the employment package, adults could receive payouts of up to S$600 every quarter if they secure a job and stay employed.
Those who make voluntary contributions to their Central Provident Fund (CPF) will also receive matching government grants to grow their savings for home ownership.
The packages will be piloted for three years before assessing their effectiveness.