Childcare in Singapore covers six major specialisms — infant care, playgroups, preschool and kindergarten, student care, nanny and babysitter services, and special needs schools — each with its own licensing, subsidies, and waitlist dynamics. KakiList lists 912 verified childcare providers across all six, with real Google reviews and direct WhatsApp contact, so families can compare centres without chasing open-house appointments across the island.
The Singapore childcare landscape is shaped by ECDA (Early Childhood Development Agency) regulation and generous government subsidies for citizens. Basic Subsidy runs up to S$600/month for working mothers at ECDA-registered centres, with Additional Subsidy layered on for lower-income families. Infant care attracts higher subsidies than kindergarten because infant-to-staff ratios are stricter (1:3 for infants, 1:12 for K2). These subsidies are deducted at source — not claimed back — so your monthly bill is the net figure after the centre applies them.
Popular centres in mature estates like Tampines, Bishan, and Ang Mo Kio often have 6–12 month waitlists; we recommend signing up during the second trimester if you want choice of centre. Less central areas and some newer BTO estates have shorter waits. Many families register at two or three centres to hedge their bets. For special needs childcare, the market is smaller and more specialised — expect longer assessments and higher fees, with some providers working under the AWWA or Rainbow Centre umbrellas.
The private nanny/babysitter route is less regulated but increasingly popular for families who want one-on-one attention or unusual hours. Rates run S$15–S$25 per hour for part-time babysitting and S$2,500–S$3,500 per month for full-time live-out nannies. Playgroups sit alongside preschool for under-threes, typically 2–4 hours a day with parent accompaniment or drop-off. Browse the subcategory cards below, compare centres on real reviews, and contact operators directly — no lead-generation middleman.
Starting prices for the most common jobs in each specialism. These are rough indicators — final quotes depend on scope, property type, and urgency.
| Service | Typical Starting Price | Cost Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny / Babysitter | From S$15/hr | View breakdown → |
| Infant Care | From S$800/month | View breakdown → |
| Playgroup | From S$400/month | View breakdown → |
| Preschool / Kindergarten | From S$700/month | View breakdown → |
| Student Care | From S$400/month | View breakdown → |
| Special Needs School | From S$1,500/month | View breakdown → |
Our curated "Top 10" lists for each specialism — ranked by verified Google reviews, ACRA registration status, and response quality. Updated monthly from live data, not pay-for-play listings.
Jump straight to infant care providers in your neighbourhood — the headline service in this category. Each location page lists every other childcare specialism in that area too.
Pick a specific service to see verified providers, typical costs, and the best-rated options in Singapore.
A curated selection of highly-rated providers across childcare, shortlisted from live Google reviews and ACRA verification. For a specific service, use the guides above.
Singapore citizen children under ECDA-registered centres get a Basic Subsidy (up to S$600/month for working mothers) plus Additional Subsidy for lower-income families. Infant care attracts higher subsidies than kindergarten. Check the ECDA website or the centre directly — subsidies are deducted at source, not claimed back.
Popular infant care centres in mature estates often have 6-12 month waitlists. We recommend signing up during the second trimester if you want choice of centre. Less central areas and some newer BTO estates have shorter waits. Many families register at 2-3 centres to hedge.
Playgroups are typically 2-4 hours a day, parent-accompanied or drop-off, focusing on social play for ages 18m-3y. Preschool (nursery and K1/K2) is a structured daily programme for ages 3-6, ECDA-regulated, with academic and life-skills curricula. Many children attend playgroup first then transition into preschool at 3.