The Singapore Government to test providing child care for children under the age of 18 months. This service aims to supplement center-based infant care and will initially accommodate 500 children, increasing to 700 in subsequent years. Childminders, who can care for up to three infants, will be appointed by operators engaged by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
The service will cost approximately S$700 per month, and the Child Development Account (CDA) can be used to cover the expenses. The pilot program is designed to provide parents with more caregiving options, offering flexibility based on preferences and needs. The government will conduct background checks on operators and childminders, and industry standards will be developed in collaboration with ECDA and operators. MSF aims to promote childminding as an affordable, safe, and reliable option for parents. Details of the program will be announced in the second half of 2024 after continued engagement with stakeholders.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has announced a three-year pilot program to introduce a childminding service for children aged between two months and 18 months, aiming to accommodate 500 children in the first year, with plans to increase capacity to 700 subsequently.
Minister of State Sun Xueling mentioned that childminders, or nannies, were more common in Singapore in the 1970s and 1980s, and the new childminding service is introduced to address the challenges parents face in finding trusted childminders today. The cost of the childminding service is expected to be around S$700 a month, similar to what a median-income family pays for infant care at an anchor operator. The pilot program will allow parents to use the Child Development Account (CDA) to pay for the childminding service.
CHILDREN ALLOWED TO LOOK AFTER UP TO THREE INFANTS
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will oversee the appointment of operators for the childminding service, with each childminder being allowed to care for up to three infants. The childminding service will operate in community spaces in areas with high infant care demand. Operators must adhere to service requirements to ensure infants’ safety, including implementing child-safe practices and disclosing childminders’ profiles to parents.
The government will conduct background checks on operators and childminders, and industry standards will be developed in collaboration with ECDA and operators. MSF aims to provide parents with greater flexibility in choosing caregiving options that best meet their needs and preferences. The childminding service is intended to offer a different value proposition compared to center-based infant care, providing parents with more options based on their preferences and requirements. MSF plans to announce more details in the second half of 2024 after continued engagement with parents, childminders, and operators.
