As part of ongoing efforts to support working parents, Singapore will increase childcare leave entitlements, allowing each parent up to 12 days of leave annually depending on the number of children, with stronger government backing for employers. The changes aim to make parenting less career-disruptive and give families greater flexibility.
- Childcare leave increased from 6 to up to 12 days per parent based on number of children
- Government to cover full cost of statutory child-related leave for employers
- New measures aim to reduce career impact for working parents
What happened
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally that the amount of childcare leave available to parents in Singapore will be expanded. Each parent will receive eight, ten, or twelve days of childcare leave annually if they have one, two, or three or more children respectively, a significant increase from the current six days for children aged six and below and two days for children aged seven to twelve. This adjustment recognizes the growing caregiving demands families face as their children grow older.
In addition, the government will fully reimburse employers for their costs during statutory child-related leave schemes, including maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption, and childcare leave. This move aims to alleviate employer concerns and encourage broader support for parents in the workforce. Legislative amendments are planned to implement these changes, with start dates to be announced later.
Why it feels good
These changes bring relief to many working parents who often use their personal annual leave to care for older children. By increasing childcare leave in a way that scales with family size, the new policy acknowledges that caregiving needs persist beyond early childhood and vary with the number of children. This approach promotes better work-life balance and reduces stress for parents.
Moreover, with the government assuming the financial burden for employers, there is an added incentive for companies to support their staff in balancing family and work responsibilities. Prime Minister Wong emphasized the importance of ensuring parenthood does not hinder career progression, encouraging employers to foster an environment where taking leave is fully supported and reintegration back into work is smooth.
What to enjoy or watch next
The initial childcare leave enhancements are part of broader ongoing efforts under the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, which will release more comprehensive recommendations in early 2027. These future policies are designed to continue strengthening family support systems and workplace flexibility, aiming for a society where parenting and career growth go hand in hand.