Singapore rolls out more infrastructure support schemes for childcare places

Estimated to cost up to $40 million.

The Early Childhood Development Agency said it has launched a launched a suite of support schemes to provide infrastructure support to pre-school operators setting up centres in high demand areas and at workplaces.

The new support schemes, which aim to help non-AOPs child care services where they are needed by defraying their infrastructure costs, will include portable rental subsidies, extensions of community and sports facilities scheme, and kindergarten conversion grants.

ECDA will increase its support to operators setting up or operating in areas of high demand. Operators can also have more options in setting up centres in alternative premises, such as commercial spaces, workplaces and community facilities. Building owners and parents will benefit from being able to choose from more quality and affordable pre-school options.

The infrastructure support schemes are estimated to cost up to $40 million over the next five years, and are part of the government’s efforts to further expand the provision of quality pre-school services.

Non-AOPs can also benefit from a new Teaching and Learning Resources Grant of up to $4000 a year.

To become eligible for the support schemes, non-AOPs will have to commit to quality improvements via the Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework process and offer affordable programmes. This is in addition to individual scheme-specific criteria.