1 From 1 January 2026, parents will benefit from more choices of quality preschool operators and lower preschool fees. The new five-year term of the Partner Operator (POP) Scheme will run until 31 December 2030.
a. A total of 380 centres have been appointed for the new POP term. This marks an increase of 49 centres from the current POP term, with more centres meeting our quality benchmarks for appointment.
b. The monthly fee cap for full-day childcare for Singapore Citizen children in these preschools will be lowered from $680 to $650 starting from 1 Jan 2026. Families will pay less after basic and means-tested subsidies.
c. Over 34,000 Singapore Citizen (SC) children are expected to benefit.
Expanded Partner Operator Scheme with Lower Fee Caps
2 Under the new POP term, ECDA will provide funding support to appointed centres to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of childcare and infant care services. The funding support will enable appointed centres to:
a. Lower the fee caps for Singapore Citizen (SC) children;
b. Invest in improving centre quality through efforts such as strengthening organisational capabilities to improve quality of teaching practices; and
c. Attract and retain talent in the sector by investing in continuing professional development for centre leaders and preschool educators.
3 The 380 centres appointed to the new POP term are operated by 33 commercial and not-for-profit preschool operators, of which five operators are new to the POP scheme. This will give parents a greater diversity of affordable preschool options in locations all across Singapore to choose from. Over 34,000 children are expected to benefit from the expanded POP scheme, which is 25% more than the current term.
4 The full list of appointed POP centres and operators is available in Annex A.
Enhancing Preschool Accessibility, Affordability and Quality
5 The expansion of the POP scheme to benefit more families builds on the significant progress made to give every child a good start by enhancing access to affordable and quality preschool.
6 Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said, “With lower fees and more choices, families can be assured of affordable and quality preschool education. This expansion reflects our strong commitment to support parents and give every child a good start in life.”