Expansion of Government-Supported Preschool Capacity

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in view of the expected increase in demand for Government-supported preschool places following the newly announced subsidies that will reduce childcare and infant care fees (a) what additional childcare and infant care places and educator capacity by residential area are planned to meet this demand; and (b) what annual milestones have been set to ensure such capacity is available in time.

Answer

1.    Since 2025, ECDA has been working with Anchor Operators to add almost 40,000 new preschool places by 2029, of which close to 6,000 places will be for infant care. We will also recruit 1,800 more infant care educators by 2030, to cater to the expected rise in demand for infant care as services become more affordable for families.

2.    In addition, we will expand the network of Government-supported preschool operators, to give families more options for affordable quality preschool places close to where they live. As part of this effort, ECDA will introduce a new grant to help eligible preschool operators make the transition onto the Government-supported network.