More child care subsidy for non-working mothers looking for work or caring for their younger child

In a welcome move, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) announced that, from March 2019, there will be more child care subsidy for non-working mothers who are trying for a job, as well as those who are full-time caregivers for their younger children.

Starting from March 2019, mothers who are not working but are looking for a job, will get the basic child care subsidy of S$300 per month for six months, up from three months currently.

Also, depending on their household income, they stand to get an Additional Subsidy of S$100 to S$440 per month, for six months. 

Only households with monthly household income of $7,500 and below, or Per Capita Income of $1,875 and below are eligible for Additional Subsidy.

This should give non-working mums more support and more time to look for a job.

SOURCE: MSF

Non-working mothers who are unable to work because they are caring for a younger child below 2 years of age (and require child care services for their older child/children), will also receive the S$300 childcare subsidy for their older child until their younger child turns two – up from the current 18 months.

Again, based on their household income, they stand to get an Additional Subsidy of S$100 to S$440 per month, until their younger child turns two (24 months).

This is to provide more support to mums who are unable to work because they have to care for an infant or toddler at home.

These enhancements are expected to benefit around 5,000 families every year.

Do note that, non-working mums who are not looking for a job, and don’t have to care for a young child are still eligible for a monthly Basic Subsidy of $150. 

Below is a summary of child care subsidies available, based on the working status of the mother:

SOURCE: MSF

From 2019, ECDA will verify the working status of mothers, as well as their household incomes:

• at the point of preschool enrollment
• upon a change in programme (i.e. from infant care to child care)
• at the end of Nursery 2 (or the year the child turns four).

Parents who may be eligible for more subsidies because of a change in household income may, however, still apply for a review at any time.

ECDA will introduce an enhanced centre management system, or CMS this year. This is to bring greater convenience to parents and preschools by simplifying applications for subsidy and financial assistance, as well as other administrative processes such as licence application and child enrollment.

Parents will only need to fill in one form to apply for the various subsidies and financial assistance available, down from the current three.

Preschools will also benefit from less manual processing and will no longer need to retain copies of birth certificates and NRICs for subsidy applications.

Also READ: 10 warning signs of a bad childcare centre

(Source: MSF)