A Single Parent Guide - Ministry of Social and Family Development
A Single Parent Guide - Ministry of Social and Family Development
A Single Parent Guide - Ministry of Social and Family Development
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MAKING CARE<br />
ARRANGEMENTS<br />
FOR YOUR CHILD<br />
As a single parent, one <strong>of</strong> your greatest challenges<br />
is juggling work while ensuring that your children<br />
are well taken care <strong>of</strong>. If you plan to get a job <strong>and</strong><br />
need someone to care for your children, you may<br />
want to consider alternative childcare options.<br />
page • 11<br />
What are the childcare arrangements available?<br />
There are several options, depending on the age <strong>of</strong> your children:<br />
• <strong>Family</strong> Day Care Services are for infants <strong>and</strong> toddlers who require more individual<br />
care <strong>and</strong> attention. It is a more formalised version <strong>of</strong> the traditional home-based<br />
nanny <strong>and</strong> baby-sitting services. You can work out the timing with the caregiver.<br />
• Childcare Centres admit children from 18 months onwards, while some also care<br />
for infants <strong>and</strong> children aged from two to 18 months. These centres run full- <strong>and</strong><br />
half-day care programmes to give preschoolers effective early education.<br />
Childcare Centres usually open from 7am to 7pm.<br />
• Student Care Centres are for school-going children between seven <strong>and</strong> 14 years<br />
old who do not have anyone to mind them at home before or after school. At<br />
these centres, children are fruitfully occupied while you are at work. Student<br />
Care Centres operate in two sessions: 7.30am or earlier to 12pm or later, <strong>and</strong> 1pm<br />
or earlier to 6.30pm or later.<br />
Can I get any help to pay the fees?<br />
Yes, there are several schemes you can turn to:<br />
• Government childcare subsidy applies if your child is a Singaporean or Permanent<br />
Resident <strong>and</strong> among the 1st to the 4th child in your family, <strong>and</strong> placed in a<br />
registered Childcare Centre. If you are working, the subsidy is $150 a month for<br />
full-day care or $75 a month for half-day care. If you are not working, the subsidy<br />
is $75 a month for both full-day <strong>and</strong> half-day care.<br />
• Centre-based Financial Assistance Scheme for Childcare (CFAC) helps lowincome<br />
families, in addition to the Government childcare subsidy. If approved,<br />
you can receive an additional subsidy so that you pay even lower fees.<br />
• Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) is for low-income families with older<br />
children attending student care centres.<br />
Ask or apply for assistance at your child’s childcare <strong>and</strong> student care centres.
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