As a working parent, every moment you spend with your child truly matters. Knowing your childcare leave Singapore entitlements isn’t just about taking a few days off work — it’s more about creating space for meaningful time with your children. This eventually reduces stress, and you get spend more time by being there when your child needs you most. Thus, this guide will direct you with a clear understanding of your childcare leave entitlement so that can plan ahead with confidence, avoid last-minute work stress, and enjoy more meaningful family time throughout the year.
What is Childcare Leave in Singapore?
Childcare leave is a type of leave that is provided by law to help working parents. It allows them to manage family responsibilities and also have a balanced work-life. Let’s break down in detail to understand what it really means and why it matters.
MOM’s Definition of Childcare Leave
Under Singapore’s Employment Act, childcare leave is a statutory benefit which provides the eligible working parents to take a paid time off to take care of their children. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) structures a certain set of rules and outlines specific conditions. This ensures that parents can fulfil their duties at home without risking job security or income.
Why Does It Exist
The core purpose behind childcare leave is to help parents manage family obligations, especially during a child’s early and school-going years. Whether it is about the days when the child needs parental care during sick days or demands to spend meaningful time together, childcare leave supports parents of children under 7 or, in some cases, under 12. It reflects Singapore’s commitment to family-friendly workplaces and the broader aim of nurturing resilient families.
Who is Eligible for Childcare Leave?
There is a certain set of eligibility criteria that are to be met, whereas not all working parents will be automatically getting the same childcare leave entitlements. Here’s what you should know about eligibility.
Eligibility for Singapore Citizens vs PRs & Foreigners
If your child is a Singapore citizen and you meet the other MOM requirements, you’re entitled to the highest number of childcare leave days. Parents whose children are Permanent Residents (PRs) or foreigners also qualify—but for fewer days. This policy recognises the unique support local families may need while ensuring fairness to all working parents.
Conditions You Must Meet
Beyond your child’s citizenship, there are other key conditions:
- You must be employed legally and have worked for your employer for at least three continuous months.
- Your child must be under the age of 7 (for full childcare leave) or aged 7–12 (for extended childcare leave).
It’s important to note that entitlements apply per parent, so both working parents can benefit if they meet these conditions separately.
How Many Days of Childcare Leave Do You Get?
Your child’s age and citizenship status determine exactly how many days you can take each year.
Child Under 7 Years Old
For each Singapore citizen child below 7, you’re entitled to 6 days of Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) per year. These days can be used flexibly throughout the year.
Child Aged 7–12 Years
For each Singapore citizen child between 7 to 12, your entitlement becomes 2 days per year. While it’s fewer days, these still offer valuable support during primary school years.
Non-citizens or Other Cases
If your child is not a Singapore citizen but is under 7, you will still be entitled to 2 days of childcare leave per year. This will be provided if you meet the employment criteria. Although it’s less generous than the entitlement for citizen children, it still helps parents stay engaged in family life.
Types of Childcare Leave & Entitlements
Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL)
GPCL is the most common type. Parents with Singapore citizen children under 7 can take up to 6 days each year, paid by the government, provided they’ve worked at least three continuous months. This helps reduce employers’ financial burden while encouraging them to fully support parents.
- Extended Childcare Leave (ECL)
Once your child is aged 7–12 and still a Singapore citizen, you get 2 days of Extended Childcare Leave annually. This tends to acknowledge that the parental involvement remains crucial during the primary school years. This can be expected especially during exams, medical checkups, or any kind of important events related to the child.
- Childcare Leave (non-GPCL)
If your child under 7 isn’t a Singapore citizen, you still receive 2 days of childcare leave per year after three months of employment. This leave is usually employer-paid and helps ensure all families—regardless of their child’s citizenship—get some support.
Tips to Manage Your Leave Better
While understanding your entitlements is essential, managing them wisely is equally important. Below listed are some of the practical tips to follow:
- Plan Early: Mark your child’s school holidays, medical checkups, and family events at the very beginning of the year.
- Communicate Openly: Discuss your plans prior with your reporting officials to avoid any kind of last-minute planning.
- Use Leave Management Tools: Utilizing Leave Management Software makes it easy to track your leave balance, submit applications, and stay compliant with your company’s HR policies.
Conclusion
Childcare leave plays a pivotal role as it is more than just a policy—it’s a practical tool to help working parents build stronger families while staying productive at work. Whether you’re entitled to 6 days or 2, each day is valuable and counts toward your child’s well-being and your peace of mind.
Take time to understand your childcare leave entitlement in Singapore and plan how to use it meaningfully. For working parents, it’s a small but powerful way to make every family moment matter—while keeping your work commitments on track.
