SUITABLE OPTION FOR PARENTS

According to ECDA, this is part of the government’s efforts to offer parents greater security during the first stage of their child’s life.

“The pilot aims to make child care services an affordable, safe and reliable baby care option for parents,” the agency said.

Their services during normal working hours will be supported by the government.

These subsidies will apply to care provided in five-hour or 10-hour blocks between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

“Parents have the flexibility to choose how many days per week they require babysitting services and the blocks of hours for each day, depending on their care needs,” ECDA said.

It added that parents who only require care on selected days of the week will only need to pay for the blocks of hours used.

The five-hour and 10-hour blocks will cost S$16.50 (US$12.30) and S$33 respectively, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST).

According to ECDA, full-time use of the services, with parents subscribing to 10-hour blocks five days a week for four weeks, will cost S$719.40 a month, including GST.

That’s less than the typical cost of child care today, the agency said.

MSF has previously reported that parents who opt for private child care services (usually by home-based caregivers) pay between S$1,200 and S$2,800 per month.

ECDA said the subsidies were only available for up to 10 hours a day on weekdays to ensure childminders could balance their work, personal commitments and needs.

“If parents need to work more than 10 hours or require childcare services from 7am to 7pm on weekdays, they can make separate arrangements directly with operators on their normal schedule outside of the pilot.”

Parents can also tap into Child Development Account funds to further cover their expenses for child care services, it said.