Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In Singapore, the official entry age for pre-primary education is 3 years old. Between 2018 and 2023, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary education remained consistently high, fluctuating between 96.45% and 94.70% by 2022. However, data on the number of years of free and compulsory pre-primary education are not available in the UIS.
Governance
In Singapore, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is responsible for pre-primary education and directly operates MOE Kindergartens located within selected public primary schools, as well as overseeing the allocation of public funds to these government-run programmes. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), a statutory board under the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, regulates and oversees the broader preschool sector. ECDA is responsible for quality assurance, sector development, and the administration of government subsidies and grants across both kindergartens and child care centres, including privately operated but publicly supported early childhood providers.
Tuition-free status
Public pre-primary education is not free according to national laws and policies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No evidence was found for funding transfers from the central to local governments.
2. Education resources to institutions
The Preschool Opportunity Fund (POF)
Administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), the fund is a financial support scheme to help preschools provide additional learning opportunities for children from low-income families, as well as children who face limited family support or challenging home environments, including those from financially strained or single-parent households, or those showing low academic or social engagement. The fund enables ECDA-registered operators to implement programmes, activities, or resources that enhance children’s development, including enrichment activities, learning materials, and family-support initiatives. By subsidising these costs, the fund aims to ensure that children who may otherwise face financial barriers are still able to benefit from quality early learning experiences and participate fully in preschool programmes.
Anchor Operator (AOP) Scheme
The Anchor Operator scheme provides government support to large preschool operators so they can offer affordable and good-quality programmes across the country, including in new housing areas. Operators under this scheme are appointed through a competitive process and commit to keeping fees affordable, meeting national quality standards such as accreditation, and ensuring continuous professional development for early childhood staff. The scheme has enabled a small group of major not-for-profit providers to expand rapidly and deliver stable, regulated, and accessible preschool services at scale.
Partner Operator (POP) Scheme
The Partner Operator scheme supports selected private childcare operators that agree to operate within government-set fee caps and quality requirements. These operators receive financial support to improve the affordability and quality of their services, while maintaining standards and staff development. The scheme broadens access to affordable childcare by bringing a wider range of private providers into a regulated and subsidised framework, and it complements the larger Anchor Operators in meeting national preschool needs.
3. Education resources to students and families
Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)
The Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) supports Singapore Citizen children enrolled in kindergartens run by either anchor operators or the Ministry of Education (MOE) when their household gross monthly income or per-capita income falls below defined thresholds. The subsidy is means-tested, and eligible families receive a subsidy paid directly to the kindergarten, with the family paying the net fee. A minimum co-payment applies, and the subsidy remains valid until the next fixed-point assessment or until the child withdraws.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Child Development Account (CDA)
The Child Development Account (CDA), created under the 2001 Child Development Co-Savings Act, is a special savings account available to all Singaporean-born children. Families can use the funds in this account up to the child’s 12th birthday to pay for approved child-related expenses, including fees at registered childcare centres, kindergartens, special education schools, and early intervention services. These benefits apply only to Singapore Citizen children.
Infant Care and Childcare Programmes
The Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme, administered by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), offers two main types of subsidies for Singapore Citizen children enrolled in ECDA-licensed infant or childcare centres: a Basic Subsidy available to all eligible children, and an Additional Subsidy for working families whose household income or per-capita income falls below specified thresholds. The subsidy amount depends on factors such as the child’s programme type (infant care or childcare), full-day or part-day attendance, the working status of the main applicant (typically mother or single father) and verified family income.
Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) & Start-Up Grant (SUG)
ECDA provides two targeted supports for families facing extra financial strain: the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) and the Start-Up Grant (SUG). CCFA is available for Singapore Citizen children enrolled in full-day programmes at affordable infant or childcare centres, for families meeting income or per-capita income thresholds and experiencing challenging circumstances. The Start-Up Grant is a one-time grant to help cover initial costs of enrolling a child in such a centre (for example, registration fees, deposit, uniform, mattress), subject to the same eligibility criteria as CCFA.
This profile was reviewed by Professor M. Ramesh, UNESCO Chair on Social Policy Design in Asia.
