Frequently Asked Questions on Enhancing Centre-Based Care
Quality: Teacher Qualifications/ Requirements
Quality: Scholarships and bursaries
Quality: Recurrent Funding
Affordability: Centre-Based Infant Care and Childcare Subsidy
Accessibility
What are the existing measures to enhance the quality of education in childcare centres?
MOE announced in March 2008 new minimum qualifications for pre-school teachers:
a) For new pre-school teachers and supervisors - five GCE ‘O’ level credits including English Language and a Diploma in Pre-School Teaching from Jan 2009.
b) For incumbent teachers teaching K1 and K2 - a Diploma in Pre-School Teaching, and an ‘O’ level pass in English Language or pass an English Language proficiency test by January 2013.
c) In addition, each pre-school centre should have at least 75% of all its pre-school teachers meeting the requirements to teach K1/K2 classes by January 2013.
MCYS is imposing the same new requirements on teachers in childcare centres.
MOE is also developing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework which will be ready for implementation from 2011. MCYS will be working with MOE to ensure that the framework is applicable to childcare centres.
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Why is MCYS providing scholarships and bursaries for teacher training for childcare centres?
The quality of the teachers is an important factor in the quality of education provided. We are therefore providing scholarships to recruit high calibre individuals into the sector, and develop them.
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How many scholarships and bursaries will MCYS provide for teacher training?
MCYS will offer 60 scholarships and 130 bursaries per year
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What is the value of each scholarship and bursary?
The value of the scholarships for degree courses ranges from $18,000 to $25,000 per scholarship; and the value of the bursaries for diploma courses is around $3,000 per bursary.
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Who is eligible for the scholarships and bursaries for teacher training?
The scholarships and bursaries are open to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents registered as programme staff in childcare centres licensed by MCYS. They must have at least 2 years of pre-school experience and strong recommendation from the supervisors of the centres
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Where are the scholarships and bursaries tenable at?
The scholarships for degree courses will be tenable at the Regional Training and Resource Centre, Asia (RTRC). We are also working with other institutions where scholarships for degree courses may be offered. The bursaries for diploma courses will be tenable at institutions such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic, as well as RTRC.
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How does a childcare teacher apply for the scholarship or bursary?
MCYS will inform childcare centres accordingly when scholarship/bursary applications are open each year, with details for the applications. Childcare teachers interested in applying for the awards can obtain details from their centres.
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Why is MCYS introducing a recurrent funding for eligible childcare centres?
The quality of childcare centres is an important consideration for parents when they choose a suitable care option for their young children. Childcare centres, together with kindergartens, play an important role in providing a good foundation for our children’s subsequent learning.
We are therefore providing a recurrent funding to eligible childcare centres to set the benchmark for quality and affordability. The recurrent funding is to help eligible centres recruit, develop and retain better qualified teachers.
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How much funding will each eligible centre receive?
In general, each eligible centre will receive funding to recruit better qualified teachers; develop existing ones through scholarship programmes; have smaller class sizes; and provide learning support programmes for children who need more assistance. The funding amount will vary depending on the childcare centre.
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Who is eligible for the recurrent funding?
The eligibility criteria for the recurrent grant are as follows:
1. Applicants must be licensed with MCYS.
2. Applicants must be non-profit bodies.
3. Applicants are registered under Section 29 of the Companies Act, or under the Co-operative Societies Act, with a paid-up capital of at least $5 million. The services provided must be assessed by MCYS to fulfill national or public interests.
4. Applicants must offer a good child-development programme. They must submit proposals for child-development programmes to MCYS for approval.
5. Applicants must have a good track record.
6. Applicants do not have any religious or ethnic affiliation.
7. Applicants must meet MCYS' targets for trained teachers and supervisors.
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How does a childcare centre apply for the recurrent funding?
Childcare centres that meet all the eligibility criteria and are interested to apply for the recurrent funding may write in to MCYS_Child_Care_link@mcys.gov.sg, and submit the latest audited financial statements of the organisation. MCYS will assess applicants’ eligibility.
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What is the new infant care subsidy?
The maximum monthly infant care subsidy for a working mother is $600.
The subsidy rates will vary based on the programme type and working status of the mother. To qualify as a working mother, she must work for at least 56 hours per month.
Infant Care Subsidy (for infants aged 2 to 18 months)
|
Programme (Daily Care) |
Working Mother |
Non-Working Mother |
|
Full-day Care |
$600 |
$150 |
|
Half-day Care |
$300 |
$150 |
|
Flexible Programme by Number of Hours per Week |
|
12 hours to 24 hours |
$220 |
$55 |
|
Above 24 hours to 36 hours |
$330 |
$110 |
|
Above 36 hours to 48 hours |
$440 |
$150 |
|
Above 48 hours |
$600 |
$150 |
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What is the new childcare subsidy?
The maximum monthly childcare subsidy for a working mother is $300.
The subsidy rates will vary based on the programme type and working status of the mother. To qualify as a working mother, she must work for at least 56 hours per month.
Childcare Subsidy (for children aged above 18 months to 6 years)
|
Programme (Daily Care) |
Working Mother |
Non-Working Mother |
|
Full-day Care |
$300 |
$150 |
|
Half-day Care |
$150 |
$150 |
|
Flexible Programme by Number of Hours per Week |
|
12 hours to 24 hours |
$110 |
$55 |
|
Above 24 hours to 36 hours |
$165 |
$110 |
|
Above 36 hours to 48 hours |
$220 |
$150 |
|
Above 48 hours |
$300 |
$150 |
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How do you define a Full-Day Care or Half-Day Care Programme?
A child enrolled in a Full Day Care programme (see below for programme hours) can enjoy the Full-Day rates, subject to the working status of the mother.
a) from 7am to 7pm (Mon – Fri)
b) from 7am to 2pm (Sat)
A child enrolled in a Half Day Care programme (see below for programme hours) can enjoy the Half-Day rates.
a) from 7am to 1pm (am session) or from 1pm to 7pm (pm session) (Mon – Fri)
b) from 7am to 2pm (Sat)
According to the Childcare Centres Regulations, childcare centres are required to operate no later than 7 am and close no earlier than 7.00 pm (Mon – Fri); and no later than 7 am and close no earlier than 2.00 pm (Sat).
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Is there special assistance for families who cannot afford the infant and childcare fees despite the increased subsidies?
Households with an income of $1,800 or less per month may apply for the Centre-based Financial Assistance Scheme for Child Care (CFAC) for additional subsidy. To apply for CFAC, households can contact their childcare centre or their Community Development Council (CDC).
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Can I use the subsidy at all childcare centres?
Yes, as long as the centre is licensed with MCYS. Subsidy will be disbursed via the centre where the child is placed. Parents will only need to pay the subsidised fees.
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Who is eligible for the infant and childcare subsidies?
Singaporean infants aged two to 18 months of any birth order and who are enrolled in infant care centres are eligible for the infant care subsidy.
Singaporean children aged above 18 months to below seven years of any birth order and who are enrolled in childcare centres are eligible for the childcare subsidy.
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Are permanent resident infants and children eligible for infant and childcare subsidies?
No, they will not be eligible for the subsidies from 1 Jan 2009 onwards.
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Is the parent of an adopted child eligible for the infant and childcare subsidies?
Yes, the subsidy will be granted when the child is legally adopted, provided all eligibility criteria are met. For adoption of a foreign child, the subsidy will be granted when the child attains citizenship, and at least one of the parents is a Singaporean, provided all other eligibility criteria are met. Parents need to inform the childcare centre and submit the supporting documents to prove their child’s eligibility for the subsidy. These documents are:
a) NRICs of parents;
b) Birth certificate of the child; and
c) Adoption Order
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Is a mother who is not working eligible for the infant and childcare subsidies?
Mothers who are not working are eligible for the subsidies at a reduced rate (see other FAQ).
However, under special circumstances as described below, mothers who are not working can also apply for the full subsidy for working mothers. All appeals must be made through the childcare centre with the relevant supporting documents.
a) On maternity leave – must still be employed under a valid working contract.
b) Retrenched – letter of retrenchment from employer. Subsidy given for three months,to re-apply for further extension if necessary.
c) Ill or medically unfit to work – medical certification.
d) Full/part-time course sponsored by the employer – letter of support from employer.
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How does a parent apply for the subsidy?
Childcare centres will apply for the subsidies on behalf of parents. Parents need to complete MCYS Form 2 “Application for admission in Child Care Centre” and submit the supporting documents to prove their child’s eligibility. These documents are:
a) NRICs of parents;
b) Birth certificate of the child
Parents will receive the subsidy every month from the Government through the childcare centres. Parents will only need to pay to the centres the subsidised fees.
Example
Monthly Centre Fee: $650
Government Subsidy: $300
Parents pay Centre: $350
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Why is the Government increasing the supply of childcare places?
As centre-based childcare is an important care option for many dual income families, the Government is ensuring a sufficient supply of childcare places to better support families. Further, centre-based childcare is increasingly recognised as an important avenue for early childhood development. Hence the Government foresees that a greater percentage of children in each cohort will enrol in childcare centres, translating into the need for more childcare places.
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How many child and infant care centres are there currently? How many places do they provide? How many children and infants are currently enrolled in such centres?
As at June 2009, there were 766 childcare centres, providing 65,768 places. 56,779 children are enrolled in childcare centres. As at June 2009, there are 146 infant care centres, providing 1,895 places. 1,246 infants are enrolled in infant care centres.
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Do these new centres have infant care services?
Some of these centres will also provide infant care services, as part of the continuum of care services for children. When the centres commence operations, parents can check directly with the childcare centres if they provide such services, or refer to the Childcare Link portal.
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How many new childcare centres and places are planned for and by when?
The Government will facilitate the development of about 200 new childcare centres to cater for 20,000 additional childcare places in the next 5 years.
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Who is eligible to enrol in the new infant and childcare centres? Are the centres open to non- Singaporean children?
As in current practice, any child (regardless of citizenship status) aged 18 months to below 7 years can apply to enrol in childcare centres. Any infant aged 2 to 18 months can apply to enrol in a centre that offers infant care services.
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How do I enroll my infant/child in these new centres?
When the centres commence operations, parents could check directly with the centre of their choice for enrolment procedures. Generally, parents are required to produce the following documents for enrolment:
a) NRICs of parents;
b) Birth certificate of the child;
c) Certificate of Citizenship (if applicable); and
d) Entry Permit/Re-entry Permit/Passport (if applicable).
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Where will the new centres be located?
The new centres will be conveniently located in HDB estates and near public transport nodes.
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How can I find out if there is an infant/childcare centre near my home? Will I be able to know if a new centre will be developed near my home?
Parents can refer to the Childcare Link portal to search online for an infant/childcare centre near their home.
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