Childcare leave in Singapore: what expat parents get
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
Each working parent of a Singapore citizen child under 7 gets 6 days of paid childcare leave a year, capped at 42 days per child. If your child is not a citizen, the Employment Act gives each parent 2 paid days a year until the year the child turns 7, capped at 14 days per child. Both need 3 months of service.
The answer depends on your child's citizenship
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) sums it up: "Eligible working parents of Singapore citizen children are entitled to 6 days of paid childcare leave per year. Parents of non-citizens can get 2 days of childcare leave a year in accordance with the Employment Act."
| As of October 2026 | Child is a Singapore citizen | Child is not a Singapore citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) | Childcare leave under the Employment Act |
| Days per parent per year | 6 | 2 |
| Until | The year your child turns 7 | The year your child turns 7 |
| Cap per child | 42 days | 14 days |
| Who pays | Employer pays the first 3 days at your gross rate; the Government reimburses the remaining 3, capped at SGD 500 per day including CPF contributions | The employer pays both days |
| Service needed | At least 3 continuous months (or 3 months self-employed with lost income) | At least 3 continuous months with your employer |
The entitlement is per parent, "regardless of the number of children you have". Two working parents of a child under 7 who is not a citizen each get 2 days a year.
The Employment Act version (non-citizen child)
MOM lists the conditions:
- your child (including a legally adopted child or step-child) is below 7 years old;
- you have worked for your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months.
You and your spouse are each entitled to 2 days a year until the year your child turns 7, whatever the number of qualifying children, capped at 14 days for each child. Your employer pays for both days.
You need to be covered by the Employment Act: MOM says it covers local and foreign employees, except seafarers, domestic workers, and statutory board employees or civil servants. If you are not covered, your contract decides.
Government-Paid Childcare Leave (citizen child)
The conditions, according to MOM:
- your child is below 7 years old;
- your child is a Singapore citizen;
- employees: at least 3 continuous months with your employer;
- self-employed: at least 3 continuous months of work, and lost income during the leave.
You and your spouse each get 6 days a year until the year your child turns 7, capped at 42 days for each child. Claims and applications go through the Government-Paid Leave portal.
Extended childcare leave
If your youngest Singaporean child is between 7 and 12 years old, MOM says you could be eligible for 2 days of extended childcare leave a year.
Unpaid infant care leave
For a Singapore citizen child under 2, each parent with at least 3 months of service also gets 12 days a year of unpaid infant care leave, up to 24 days per child, on top of the 6 paid days.
Leave years: when your days reset
By default, childcare leave follows the calendar year (1 January to 31 December). MOM says you can agree with your employer to use a different 12-month period, such as the financial year or your work anniversary. Days not used by the end of the leave year are lost: they cannot be carried forward.
A practical consequence for a baby born late in the year: your first year of childcare leave may be very short. If your baby is born in November, ask HR whether you can take your days for that year in December, or agree a different leave year.
What is changing
MOM's page carries a note: "As announced at the 2026 National Day Rally, there will be an increase in childcare leave and enhancements to reimbursement from the Government." It adds that the Government will reimburse employers for the full duration of childcare leave for parents of Singapore citizen children, with the implementation date and criteria to be released later. The announcement concerns the government-paid scheme; check MOM's page before relying on new numbers.
Making 2 days a year work
Two days a year is not much when a baby starts infant care or a playgroup and catches every cold going. Expat parents often combine:
- Company policy. Many employers give more family or carer days than the legal minimum: ask for the written policy.
- Annual leave and sick leave. Your own sick leave covers you, not your child's illness; plan annual leave for the first months of childcare.
- Flexible work arrangements. Ask HR what is possible before you return to work.
- Back-up care. Arrange who can help on short notice before you need it, especially without family nearby.
Checklist
Going further
Childcare leave is one line in a long list of rules that change when your child is not a Singapore citizen. Our Singapore guide puts them side by side, with a leave planner for both parents.
Questions parents ask
How many days of childcare leave do foreigners get in Singapore?
It depends on the child. For a child who is not a Singapore citizen, MOM states 2 days a year per parent under the Employment Act, until the year the child turns 7, capped at 14 days per child. For a Singapore citizen child, it is 6 days a year.
Is childcare leave per child or per parent?
Per parent. MOM says each parent gets the yearly entitlement regardless of the number of children, within a total cap per child (42 days for citizen children, 14 under the Employment Act).
Can I carry childcare leave forward?
No. MOM says yearly childcare leave must be used by the end of that leave year and cannot be carried forward.
Is childcare leave changing?
MOM's page says an increase in childcare leave and fuller Government reimbursement for parents of Singapore citizen children were announced at the 2026 National Day Rally, with details to be released later.
Sources
- MOM — Childcare leave eligibility and entitlement checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Unpaid infant care leave checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Employment Act, who is covered checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.