‘Modest take-up’: More than 90 families await childminders as pilot faces matching challenge
Having the service more evenly spread across Singapore would give parents options closer to home and reduce travel time, one parent said.
A government pilot offering home and community-based care for infants in Singapore has seen modest take-up, with over 90 families currently awaiting matching with a childminder. Since the pilot began in December 2024, more than 110 infants have enrolled, but only about 250 active childminders are registered. Some parents found the experience positive, while others faced difficulty finding a childminder near their homes or workplaces.
Operators note that interest does not always translate into enrolments due to parents' preference for a nearby childminder. The pilot aims to provide infant care in homes or designated community spaces, with each childminder able to care for up to three infants at a time. Parents can use their Child Development Account funds to offset costs during subsidized hours.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is monitoring the pilot's progress and considers the way forward. Parents and childminders highlight location, affordability, and awareness as key factors affecting take-up.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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