Introduction

Finding the right childcare and infant care center in Singapore can be a challenging task for parents. With numerous options available, it’s important to know what to look for in terms of facilities, staff qualifications, and the overall environment to ensure your child’s well-being and development. Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about childcare and infant care centers in Singapore, including tips on what to consider, a breakdown of costs, and a list of top-rated centers to help you make an informed decision.

On the chase after a childcare community or baby care in Singapore to select your little one in? It tends to be difficult to ponder being away from your youngster for a large portion of the day yet enlisting your kid in a childcare place or baby care in Singapore has many advantages! Your little one will be in capable hands thanks to set dinner times and rest times, all while they learn and play with kids their age. Also because of innovation, numerous childcare habitats currently have entrances where guardians can remain refreshed on every one of the happenings in school! You will be informed of all of your child’s daily accomplishments, including daily activities, learning outcomes, and more. We list some popular Singaporean childcare facilities, including Mulberry Learning to My First Skool, Star Learners, PCF Sparkletots, EtonHouse Preschool, and Little Green House, as well as programs, fees, and subsidies for infant care.

Childcare, infant care, and kindergarten: What’s the difference?

Childcare centre in Singapore

Childcare focuses in Singapore are available to youngsters aged a year and a half to 6 years of age, and proposition both half-day and entire-day projects to suit working guardians. Childcare focuses in Singapore run from 7 am to 7 pm. Some childcare habitats offer Saturday half-day classes too, yet this will be progressively eliminated from 2025. Childcare focuses suit the timetables of guardians who work all day, as the focuses are just shut on Sundays and an extra 7 days in a year – so they stay open in any event, during MOE school term occasions. Feasts are dealt with at childcare focuses, with schools ordinarily giving breakfast, lunch, and a nibble for a coffee break. Some childcare habitats in Singapore likewise assign shower time.

Infant Care in Singapore

Childcare centers in Singapore often provide infant care programs for babies as young as two months old. These centers offer full-day and sometimes half-day care arrangements. Due to the extensive care required, fees for infant care are typically higher than those for regular childcare programs. The schedules usually align with those of childcare centers.

Preschool/Kindergarten in Singapore

Preschools and kindergartens generally cater to children aged 18 months to below 7 years, offering half-day programs from Monday to Friday. They are closed on public holidays and school holidays as per MOE dates, except for international curriculum kindergartens.

Childcare & Infant Care in Singapore: Fees & Subsidies

Singapore Citizen children enrolled in ECDA-licensed childcare centers can receive a Basic Subsidy of up to $300 per month for full-day childcare and up to $600 per month for full-day infant care. Working mothers may also qualify for an Additional Subsidy, with higher subsidies available for lower-income families. For more details on ECDA subsidies, click here. Note that all listed school fees are before subsidies are applied.

Mulberry Learning

Mulberry Learning, established in 2006, is an award-winning childcare center, recognized with the Established Brands award from the Singapore Prestige Brand Awards (SPBA). With a teacher-child ratio of 1:3 in infant care and about 1:6 in childcare, Mulberry Learning aims to make the preschool experience enjoyable and transformative. It’s the only preschool network certified by the Institute for Habits of Mind, helping children focus and manage distractions. Offering Reggio Emilia-inspired learning spaces and bilingual programs, children also enjoy field trips and excursions. Healthy meals are provided, and parents receive weekly updates via a parent app.

Age range: 2 months to 6 years old
Fees: From $1,800 (full-day); to $1,600 (half-day)

EtonHouse International School and Pre-School

EtonHouse is a top inquiry-based preschool in Singapore with islandwide campuses offering childcare until 7 pm. It follows the MOE’s Nurturing Early Learners and ECDA’s Early Years Development Framework. EtonHouse is unique in its formal relationship with Reggio Children and offers a progression pathway from Infant Care to High School for ages nine months to 18 years, including IBPYP, IGCSE, and International A-Levels programs. With a focus on bilingual education and outdoor learning, it provides personalized education and has a preschool in Gardens by the Bay.

Age range: 9 months to 6 years old
Fees: From $2,000 to $3,000 per month

Little Green House

Little Green House has been providing childcare and infant care in Singapore since 2005 and is known for its award-winning Literacy SMART™ curriculum, developed by experts from Mulberry Learning. Their curriculum is enhanced with creative enrichment programs and hands-on activities to prepare children for primary school. Field trips to places like Bird Paradise and Gardens by the Bay enrich the learning experience. With a focus on literacy, their infant care (1:5 ratio) and childcare (1:8 ratio) programs offer a stimulating environment. Healthy meals and weekly progress updates via the parent app are also provided.

Age range: 2 months to 6 years old
Fees: From $1,050 (full-day); to $880 (half-day)

Alphabet Playhouse

Alphabet Playhouse has been a premium preschool for over 27 years, offering a curriculum designed to develop confident young explorers with a “Growth Mindset.” Their World Adventurer bilingual program integrates sports, music, and creative arts, utilizing top-notch facilities to foster curiosity, resilience, and compassion. With a low student-teacher ratio starting at 1:6, children receive personalized attention. Healthy Meals follows the Healthy Meals in Pre-school Programme, and parents receive weekly progress updates via the parent app. Enriching field trips include visits to places like Hey Dairies Goat Farm and the S.E.A. Aquarium.

Age range: 18 months to 6 years old
Fees: From $1,800 (full-day); to $1,400 (half-day)

Carpe Diem Preschool

Carpe Diem Preschool is a leading childcare provider with 32 centres all over the island teaching children from 18 months to 6 years old. Their inclusive, bilingual learning environment helps children master bilingualism confidently.

Age range: 18 months to 6 years old
Childcare center/infant care Singapore fees: From $800 to $1,500

My First School

My First School is one of the anchor operators for childcare and infant care in Singapore with over 150 locations islandwide – so it won’t be hard to find an infant care center near you. Beyond building strong fundamentals in core math and literacy, My First School prioritizes the development of relationships in everything they do.

Age range: 2 months to 6 years old
Childcare center/infant care Singapore fees: From $1,333.80 (full-day infant care); to $734.40 (full-day childcare)

PCF Sparkletots

PCF Sparkletots is the largest operator of infant care in Singapore with over 360 preschools, childcare centers, and infant care in Singapore. Sparkletots has been established since 1986, offering childcare services to the Singapore community.

Age range: 2 months to 6 years old
Childcare center/infant care Singapore fees: From $1,333.80 (full-day infant care); to $734.40 (full-day childcare)

Star Learners

Star Learners has 43 centers for preschool and infant care in Singapore, offering a literature-based curriculum to bubs all the way up to kids aged 6. Coupled with a strong activity-based approach, children learn a variety of essential skills. Under the ECDA partner operator (POP) scheme, Star Learners is the largest appointed partner and is committed to accessibility, affordability, and quality.

Age range: 2 months to 6 years old
Childcare center/infant care Singapore fees: From $720 (full-day); $540 (half-day)

Conclusion

Finding the right childcare and infant care center in Singapore is crucial for your child’s development and well-being. With a variety of options available, from award-winning institutions like Mulberry Learning and EtonHouse to innovative centers like Little Green House and Alphabet Playhouse, parents can choose based on curriculum, care standards, and unique programs offered. Consider factors such as teacher-child ratios, bilingual education, and extra-curricular activities. By doing thorough research and visiting centers, you can ensure your child receives the best possible care and educational foundation.