Singaporean parents with preschool-going children will receive a 50% offset to their payable fees from their preschool operator during this one-month circuit breaker period, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) mentioned in a press release.
This is part of an additional supplementary Solidarity Budget to further support families with young children during this trying phase, announced Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in Parliament on 6 April 2020.
Preschools to Offset Fees During COVID-19
All preschools, KCare operators, student care centres (SCCs), special student care centres (SSCCs) and Early Intervention (EI) service providers are required to offset preschool fees from the period of 8 April 2020 until 4 May 2020.
This means that parents who usually have to pay $470 per month for their child’s preschool fees will only have to pay $235 in May 2020.
The 50% offset will be effected from their May 2020 invoice.
Preschools to Offset Fees During COVID-19: preschool operators are to give 50% fee offset to parents who are not sending their kids to school
One-off Solidarity Cash Payment
Apart from fees offset in preschools under the Solidarity Budget, every adult Singaporean will also receive a one-off Solidarity cash payment of $600.
This is on top of the remaining cash payout of $300 to $600 (for Singaporeans aged 21 and above) under the Care and Support package announced in the Resilience budget. Parents with children below 21 years old will also receive an additional $300.
According to the government’s portal, this is how much and when you can expect to receive your cash payout:
| Assessable Income for Year of Assessment 2019 | Additional + Enhanced Cash Payments | Total Cash Payments | Payment in April 2020 | Payment in June 2020 |
| Not more than $28k | $300 + $900 | $1,200 | $600 | $600 |
| Above $28k to $100k | $300 + $600 | $900 | $600 | $300 |
| >$100k or owns more than 1 property |
$300 + $300 | $600 | $600 | – |
For families who require additional support, do reach out to the Social Service Offices and Community Centres.
New schemes you can apply for include:
- Temporary Relief Fund
- COVID-19 Support Grant (available from May 2020)
- ComCare schemes (existing)
Photo: iStock
Closure of all Preschools
Effective from 8 April for three weeks till 4 May 2020, all preschools, MOE Kindergartens and student care centres, including special student care centres, will be closed due to the “circuit breaker” implementation.
However, parents or guardians who are working in essential services and are unable to find alternative care arrangements can still receive help.
Selected care services will still be open so do check with your respective school if you require any assistance.
Also read: COVID-19 Circuit Breaker: Everything You Need To Know This Month