Spending time with your little one is one of the most precious experiences of being a parent. There may be no better sight than witnessing your child learn how to walk and talk, and reach other milestones. 

As your little one grows and your obligations pile up, you won’t always have the privilege of time to be with your baby all day long. In this case, most parents enlist the help of infant care centres in Singapore to take care of their children

There’s no shortcut to choosing the right infant care centre in Singapore for your little one, and it’s a long process. To help make things a bit easier for you, we’ll share what you need to know about them!

Infant care VS Nannies?

While there’s no doubt that nannies can look after your baby while you’re working, the benefits of sending them to an infant care centre are tenfold. 

First off, it allows them to learn and grow in a stimulating, engaging environment, under the supervision of childcare professionals. These are people equipped and trained to handle toddlers and infants. 

Plus, when kids are surrounded by children their age, they get to practise their social and communication skills by participating in all sorts of games and activities. These are crucial skills that they will need growing up. 

As most infant care centres in Singapore have a bilingual curriculum, they will be able to provide your child with lots of opportunities to learn their mother tongue. 

For infants ages 2 to 18 months

You can start sending your child to infant care centres in Singapore as early as 2 months old. ‘

These places can cater to children up to 18 months old. Once they’re beyond this age, they can start attending preschool programmes. 

Teacher-student ratio

One of the first things to consider in an infant care centre is how many children a single teacher/caregiver handles. 

A low teacher-student ratio means the teacher will be able to give more attention to each child, allowing them to keep track of their growth closely. 

According to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), the standard ratio for childcare centres is 1:5. Luckily, many centres on the island are following this, so we think that should be the least of your worries. 

The cost of infant care in Singapore

Children at this age require a more dedicated level of care and attention from teachers/caregivers. That’s why infant care programmes are usually more expensive than preschool classes. 

To help parents with the expenses, the Singapore government offers subsidies to make quality infant care more accessible to all families. 

If you send your kid to an ECDA-accredited centre, then you will receive a basic subsidy amounting to $600. 

Apart from basic subsidies, families who meet certain criteria will be able to apply for additional subsidies. Non-working mothers and working mothers who render at least 56 hours per month may qualify for this. 

Families with five or more members may apply for higher subsidies, if they agree to have their income assessed. 

What about the cost of private infant care centres in Singapore?

Privately run infant care centres could cost around $2,000+ per month, with some charging as high as $4,000.

All in all, rates of infant care centres in Singapore differ greatly based on their curriculum and reputation. At the end of the day, it’s important to look through different options and pick one that works for your family’s budget.