ECDA to develop 40,000 new infant and childcare centres

This initiative aims to uplift quality and professionalism in the sector. 

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will develop 40,000 new infants and childcare establishments by 2029, including 6,000 new infant care centres, as part of its early childhood sector initiatives.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said these initiatives aim to uplift quality and professionalism in the sector during the Early Childhood Celebrations 2024. 

From 1 January 2025, full-day childcare fee caps at anchor and partner operators will be reduced by $40 to $640 and $680 monthly, respectively. 

Meanwhile, from 9 December 2024, families with a gross monthly income of $6,000 and below will qualify for childcare subsidies. Parents can now apply for subsidies directly to ECDA digitally via the LifeSG application which will be rolled out in phases starting 9 December 2027. 

Furthermore, the revised Code of Ethics will clearly outline professional responsibilities and include case studies to support educators in making sound work judgements. 

ECDA will also implement the Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework 2.0 to give preschools greater autonomy in developing and providing quality child-centric programmes. Instead of a compulsory certification renewal after six years, the agency will work with preschool operators to oversee its conduct of self-appraisals and implementation of improvement plans.