Government-Paid Childcare Leave and Extended Childcare Leave

Find out about your eligibility and entitlement for Government-Paid Childcare Leave and Extended Childcare Leave to help you spend more time caring for your Singapore Citizen children.

Last updated on 21 October 2026

As announced at the 2026 National Day Rally, there will be further enhancements to Childcare Leave and Government Reimbursement. Learn more here (opens in new tab).

Family with children and newborn at home, surrounded by parenting and caregiving icons

Childcare Leave helps working parents to have more quality time to care for their children.

Government-Paid Childcare Leave

If you are a working parent with at least one child who is a Singapore Citizen below seven years old, you are eligible for six days of paid Childcare Leave per year*, provided you meet all the following criteria:

For employees: You have served your employer for a continuous period of at least three months.
For self-employed individuals: You have been engaged in a particular business, trade, profession or vocation for a continuous period of at least three continuous months, and have lost income because you did not engage in your business, trade, profession or vocation during the Government-Paid Childcare Leave period.

*Note: Government-Paid Childcare Leave is pro-rated according to your length of employment. Where there is no explicit agreement or if you are self-employed, the year will be taken to be the calendar year by default (i.e. 1 January to 31 December of the year).

The first three days are employer-paid, and the fourth to sixth days are Government-paid (capped at $500 per day i.e., total of $1,500 per year, inclusive of CPF contributions).

Extended Childcare Leave

If you are a working parent with a child who is a Singapore Citizen aged seven to 12 years, you are eligible for two days of Extended Childcare Leave per year, provided you meet all the following criteria:

For employees: You have served your employer for a period of at least three continuous months.
For self-employed individuals: You have been engaged in a particular business, trade, profession or vocation for a continuous period of at least three continuous months, and have lost income because you did not engage in your business, trade, profession or vocation during the Extended Childcare Leave period.

Extended Childcare Leave is paid for by the Government (capped at $500 per day, i.e., total of $1,000 per year, including CPF contributions).

For those with Singaporean children in both age groups (i.e. below seven years, and seven to 12 years), the total Government-Paid Childcare Leave and Extended Childcare Leave for each parent is a maximum of six days per year.

For more answers to frequently asked questions by employers or about specific employment arrangements, please refer to the Manpower Ministry’s website (opens in new tab).

FAQs

1. How can I take paid Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave? Do I have to produce a child medical certificate?

A medical certificate is not required. You have the flexibility to take paid Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave, if you meet the respective criteria. For example, you may use the leave to accompany your child on his or her first day of school, or to care for him or her personally when the usual childcare arrangement is unavailable.

2. How do I apply for paid Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave?

Head to the Pro-Family Leave website (opens in new tab) for more details on the application process.

3. Is Government-Paid Childcare Leave or Extended Childcare Leave based on the calendar or anniversary year?

It can be for any 12-month period, as agreed between you and your employer. Where there is no explicit agreement, the leave year will be taken to be the calendar year by default.

4. Why is Government-Paid Childcare Leave capped at a maximum of six days per year if I have both a child under seven years old and a child aged between seven and 12 years old?

The leave measures aim to balance between supporting parents’ needs and employers’ business operations concerns. Hence, the Government-Paid Childcare Leave is capped at maximum six days per year for each parent.

5. Am I eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave if I have an adopted child?

Yes, the leave benefits cover adopted children, if you meet all the criteria.

6. Am I eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave if I have a stepchild?

Yes, the leave benefits cover stepchildren, if you meet all criteria.

7. Am I eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave if I have a foster child?

You are eligible if you meet all criteria, are a foster parent registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and are caring for a foster child under the Children and Young Persons Act.

Do note that you can take the Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave/Unpaid Infant Care Leave in respect of your foster child only when the foster child is under your care.

8. Am I eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave if I am a non-citizen with a Singapore Citizen child aged below 12?

Yes, you will be eligible if your child is a Singapore citizen and you meet the other criteria. The criteria to be eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave is based on the child's Singapore citizenship status, not the parents’.

9. How do employers apply for Government reimbursement for Government-Paid Childcare Leave/Extended Childcare Leave?

Employers must ensure their employees qualify for the leave before granting it. Click here (opens in new tab) for more details on the application process.