Singapore to increase childcare leave based on number of children, Government to cover full cost

Singapore will significantly expand childcare leave for working parents and have the Government reimburse employers for the full duration of statutory child-related leave, as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a broader package of measures to support families throughout the child-raising journey.

Announcing the measures at the 2026 National Day Rally, PM Wong said the Government wants to move away from a system where support is concentrated around the birth of a child towards one that provides sustained assistance as children grow. The measures are the first set of recommendations accepted from the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Reset Workgroup, which has been reviewing how families can receive more consistent support.  

“When we think about what matters most to Singaporeans, family is at the heart of it,” Wong said, noting that families are facing growing pressures from the cost and responsibilities of raising children, as well as the challenge of balancing work and caregiving.

Under the new childcare leave arrangement, working parents will receive eight days of childcare leave a year if they have one Singapore Citizen child aged 12 or below, 10 days if they have two children aged 12 or below, and 12 days if they have three or more children in that age group.

The current childcare leave and extended childcare leave schemes will be merged into a single childcare leave scheme for parents with Singapore Citizen children aged 12 and below. 

The new structure removes the current distinction based on the age of the youngest child and instead ties the number of leave days to the number of children. 

Currently, working parents receive six days of childcare leave when their youngest child is aged six or below, and two days of extended childcare leave when their youngest child is aged seven to 12.

Wong said the existing arrangement does not reflect the additional caregiving responsibilities that come with having more children.

“Many parents tell us this is not enough. Because having more children means greater caregiving responsibilities. And older children still need their parents – the needs are different, but they do not go away,” he said.

“So we will increase childcare leave. And we will do it such that the more children you have, the more leave you will get.”

The change could significantly increase the amount of protected caregiving time available to larger families. Wong gave the example of a working couple with three primary school children. Under the current arrangement, they receive four days of childcare leave, but under the new system they will receive a combined 24 days.

The Government will also take on the full cost of statutory child-related leave, up to the applicable reimbursement limits.

Currently, employers bear part of the cost of several government-paid leave schemes, including the first portion of maternity and adoption leave and the first three days of childcare leave. The new approach will reimburse employers for the full duration of all child-related leave schemes, subject to the reimbursement cap.

“I have decided that the Government will cover the cost of all statutory child-related leave, up to the reimbursement limit,” Wong said.

He said the move would reduce the financial burden on employers and called on businesses to create more supportive workplaces for parents.

“And with the government paying for the leave, let us be very clear – employers should be more supportive of employees who are parents,” Wong said.

“So I ask all employers to do your part: Support parents in your organisations and give them confidence to take the leave they are entitled to. Help them settle back into work afterwards. Make sure that becoming a parent never becomes a disadvantage in someone’s career.”

Singapore currently provides parents with up to 30 weeks of government-paid parental leave, comprising 16 weeks of maternity leave, four weeks of paternity leave and 10 weeks of shared parental leave. Wong said the Government would not rule out further changes to parental leave in the future, but noted that employers need time to adapt to the recently introduced arrangements. 

The Government will also replace the existing Baby Bonus and Large Families schemes with a new SG Child Support Package designed to provide more sustained financial assistance from birth through a child’s growing years.

Every eligible Singapore Citizen child will receive the same level of support regardless of birth order. The package will provide around $70,000 in direct financial support from birth to age 17 when combined with continuing support. 

The package includes a $10,000 Baby Gift, a $5,000 MediSave grant, and a Child Development Account with a $5,000 initial grant and up to $5,000 in Government matching contributions. Children will also receive $2,000 in annual Child Credits from age one through 16, Edusave top-ups during primary and secondary school, and a further $10,000 top-up to the Post-Secondary Education Account at age 17. 

The Government said the approach will shift family support from being concentrated around birth to providing assistance throughout childhood.

The package also includes major changes to preschool affordability.

The Government aims to reduce full-day childcare fees at government-supported centres to $150 a month and infant care fees to $300 a month before means-testing. The lower fees are targeted for full implementation by 2030. Lower-income families will continue to receive additional subsidies and pay even less.

The Government will also extend full childcare and infant care subsidies to families with Singapore Citizen children regardless of the working status of the main subsidy applicant. It will expand the network of government-supported preschool operators to provide more affordable places closer to families’ homes. 

Wong said the Government currently has enough supported preschool places for about 80% of preschoolers, while families above certain income thresholds can still face childcare costs of nearly $600 a month and infant care costs exceeding $1,000.

“We want every Singaporean child to have access to quality preschool at fees that families can comfortably afford,” he said.

Wong said the Government’s support agenda would extend beyond families raising young children.

The Government is reviewing measures under Age Well SG to help seniors remain active, meet healthcare needs and unlock the value of their homes for retirement. It also plans to improve the transition from school to work for persons with disabilities, expand employment opportunities and strengthen access to care and community support.

Singles will also receive further attention, with Wong saying the Government is looking at additional ways to address concerns including housing and support for those caring for ageing parents.

The broader package reflects what Wong described as a fundamental shift in family policy, with greater emphasis on supporting parents throughout the journey of raising children rather than concentrating assistance around childbirth.

“Ultimately, of course, the decision to have children is a deeply personal one. Policies alone cannot make this happen. But what we can do is make it easier for Singaporeans who want children to start and raise a family,” he said.

“And we want every family to know: if you choose to have children, the Government will stand with you.”

The Government said the changes are intended to reduce the practical and financial pressures associated with raising children and create more work-life-friendly workplaces.

The new childcare leave scheme will apply to parents with Singapore Citizen children aged 12 and below, with further details including the implementation date to be announced later. Legislative and administrative changes are required before the new arrangements take effect.  

The childcare leave changes form part of a wider Marriage and Parenthood package announced at the rally, which also includes expanded financial support for children, lower fees at government-supported preschools and additional housing support for families with children.