The three-year pilot program will accommodate 500 children in the first year, with plans to increase to 700.
SINGAPORE: To complement the existing centre-based infant care options, the government is launching a three-year pilot program for a childminding service catering to children aged between two months and 18 months. The service will accommodate 500 children in the first year, with an increase to 700 children in subsequent years, as announced by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
Minister of State for MSF, Sun Xueling, highlighted in parliament that childminders, once a common practice in the 1970s and 1980s, have become less prevalent in recent years. Many parents are unsure about where to find trusted childminders or view them as a more expensive alternative compared to other caregiving options, such as infant care centres.
The cost of the childminding service is expected to be around S$700 (US$520) per month, similar to the fees for infant care at anchor operators. This contrasts with private childminding services, where parents may pay between S$1,200 and S$2,800 a month, depending on the service. The new program aims to provide an affordable, regulated alternative to help meet the growing demand for infant care.
Under the pilot, parents can use their Child Development Account (CDA) to pay for the service. Each childminder will care for up to three infants in a home setting or at designated community centres. These spaces will be strategically located in areas of high demand to ensure accessibility and convenience for parents.
To ensure safety and quality, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will oversee the appointment of operators who will engage childminders. The program will require operators to adhere to child-safe practices, disclose childminders’ profiles to parents, and ensure that all childminders are properly trained. Background checks will be conducted on both operators and childminders to guarantee trust and safety.
This initiative provides greater flexibility for parents in choosing caregiving options. While centre-based infant care offers a more structured environment, the new childminding service offers a more individualised, home-based alternative that may better suit some families’ needs.
Currently, there are no formal regulations governing childminding or babysitting services, making this pilot program an important step toward providing an affordable, safe, and reliable caregiving option. MSF will continue to engage with parents, childminders, and operators, with more details expected to be announced in the second half of 2024.
