SG Budget 2024: Affordable pre-schools, enhanced subsidies, and special needs support

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong outlined several initiatives aimed at making pre-school education more accessible and supportive for Singaporean families in his Budget 2024 speech on Friday (16 Feb).

To address affordability concerns, the government will implement a gradual reduction in the monthly childcare fee caps for government-supported pre-schools.

Starting in 2025, full-day fees for anchor operators will be cut by S$40 to S$640, and for partner operators by S$680, before considering childcare subsidies.

Additional reductions are planned for 2026, with details to be announced later.

Lower-income families will also benefit from enhanced pre-school subsidies.

Currently focused on children with working mothers, these subsidies will be extended to cover all children from lower-income families, irrespective of maternal employment status.

This inclusive measure is expected to positively impact up to 17,000 children.

ComLink+ Progress Packages: Incentives for pre-school education, employment, and financial stability

Lower-income families residing in public rental flats will receive increased support through the newly introduced ComLink+ Progress Packages.

These packages offer financial top-ups to families making progress on long-term goals, guided by family coaches assigned by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Comprising four distinct packages, each aligned with long-term objectives such as preschool education, sustained employment, financial stability, and saving for home ownership, these initiatives aim to provide comprehensive assistance.

The rollout will commence with the preschool education package in the second half of 2024, followed by the other three packages launching from 2025 onwards.

For instance, the preschool education package will offer families top-ups to a child’s Child Development Assistance account for ensuring preschool enrollment and regular attendance.

The employment package supports adults with potential payouts of up to S$600 quarterly upon securing and maintaining employment.

Furthermore, individuals making voluntary contributions to their Central Provident Fund (CPF) will receive matching government grants, fostering increased savings for home ownership.

The ComLink+ Progress Packages will undergo a three-year pilot phase to evaluate their effectiveness before potential expansion and wider implementation.

Easing financial burden for special needs families, expanding support for adults with disabilities

Regarding families of persons with special needs, Singapore aims to reduce the financial burden by lowering the maximum monthly fee at special education schools to S$90, from S$150.

Additionally, fee caps at all special student care centres will be reduced, lessening out-of-pocket expenses for families.

The government plans to expand support for adults with disabilities by increasing spaces in sheltered workshops and day activity centres, as well as launching more Enabling Services Hubs for community support.

Further details on these initiatives will be shared during the Committee of Supply debate.