Quick answer
In 2026 an MOE Kindergarten costs S$160 a month for Singapore Citizens, for a 4-hour weekday session. With KCare till 7pm and MOE’s subsidies, MOE estimates the total from about S$3 a month at the lowest tier. Full-day childcare keeps one centre all day, with ECDA subsidy. Hours, travel and settling in matter as much as the fee.
The useful number: For a working family of four earning S$5,000, MOE estimates MK with KCare at about S$58 a month. A S$1,200 childcare fee is S$560 after ECDA subsidy in 2026.
Which fits our hours and budget?
Answer four questions. See MK, MK with KCare and full-day childcare side by side, with the hours each covers. Nothing is ranked.
Gross means before CPF. Under 5 people, add both parents’ pay only. With 5 or more, add the pay of everyone at your registered address.
Loading the official figures…
What are MK and KCare?
For K1 and K2, an MOE Kindergarten (MK) runs a 4-hour weekday session: morning, 8am to 12pm or afternoon, 1pm to 5pm. Kindergarten Care (KCare) runs Monday to Friday till 7pm, including school holidays. It closes on public holidays, Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day and up to six more days a year. Ask your MK when KCare opens in the morning.
What do you pay for MK and KCare?
- MK fee, 2026
- S$160 a month for Singapore Citizens, S$320 for PRs, also payable in the June and December holidays
- KCare maximum fee, 2026
- S$425 a month
- KCare Basic Subsidy
- S$150 a month for every Singapore Citizen child
MOE’s monthly estimate for MK plus KCare after subsidy:
- Household income up to S$3,000 (S$750 per person)
- About S$3
- Household income up to S$4,500 (S$1,125 per person)
- About S$25
- Household income up to S$6,000 (S$1,500 per person)
- About S$58
- Household income up to S$7,500 (S$1,875 per person)
- About S$105
- Household income up to S$9,000 (S$2,250 per person)
- About S$175
- Household income up to S$10,500 (S$2,625 per person)
- About S$235
- Household income up to S$12,000 (S$3,000 per person)
- About S$315
These tiers need the mother, or a single father, working at least 56 hours a month. Since 9 December 2024, families earning up to S$6,000 (or S$1,500 per person) get the additional subsidy whatever their work. KiFAS may lower the MK fee further; the tool leaves it out.
What does full-day childcare cost after ECDA subsidy?
With a working mother, a Singapore Citizen child gets ECDA’s S$300 Basic Subsidy, plus an Additional Subsidy up to S$12,000 household income in 2026. From 1 January 2027 the ceiling rises to S$15,000 and the bands widen.
The Childcare subsidy calculator gives your amount. PR children get no ECDA subsidy here.
Which hours does each route cover?
An MK session alone is 20 hours a week; KCare stretches the day till 7pm. Full-day childcare is typically 7am to 7pm on weekdays, 60 hours a week. Plan the drop-off and the trip from MK to KCare if apart.
Does MK give P1 priority?
Singapore Citizen and PR children in an MK get Phase 2A priority at the primary school where the MK is. It is a priority phase, not a guaranteed place. Check your year’s phases in the P1 registration phase checker.
How do you weigh the two routes?
- Ask your MK where its KCare runs and from what time.
- Enter your income, family size, working status and centre fee. Compare each route now, and childcare from January 2027.
- Set each route’s hours against your work day and travel.
- Visit both, and think about friends, settling in and P1.
What does this look like for one family?
A Singapore Citizen child, a working mother, a family of four and a S$1,200 childcare fee:
- Earning S$5,000 a month
- MK alone S$160; MK with KCare about S$58 (MOE’s estimate); childcare S$560 in 2026 after S$640 of subsidy, S$460 from January 2027
- Earning S$8,000 a month
- MK with KCare about S$175 (MOE’s estimate); childcare S$710 in 2026, S$640 from January 2027
The gap is large on paper; your hours, commute and child decide.
Which tool and download help?
The MOE Kindergarten or childcare route chooser shows both routes. Shade each route’s hours in the Weekly care coverage planner. Work out childcare on the Infant and childcare subsidy worksheet.
What does this comparison leave out?
MOE and ECDA assessments prevail. KCare fees vary by centre, MOE’s tiers are estimates, and KiFAS is left out. 2027 MK and KCare figures are not out yet; MOE says KCare maximum fees may vary. We do not recommend a route or an operator.
Printables for this guide
Weekly care coverage planner
Shade the hours each adult is away and write who has the children each hour. Spot gaps and handovers, then check closures and sick days.
Infant and childcare subsidy worksheet
Work out your monthly full-day infant care or childcare fee after ECDA's basic and additional subsidies. The 2026 and 2027 bands are on one page.
Try it with your numbers
Open it with an example filled in, then change the numbers to yours.
Open MOE Kindergarten or childcare route chooser → Try it with an example →Frequently asked questions
How much is MOE Kindergarten a month?
S$160 a month for Singapore Citizens and S$320 for PRs in 2026, for a 4-hour weekday session, also payable in the June and December holidays.
What is KCare?
Care for MK children till 7pm on weekdays, including school holidays. The 2026 maximum fee is S$425 a month before subsidies.
Do non-working families get the KCare Additional Subsidy?
Yes, up to S$6,000 household income or S$1,500 per person. Above that, the mother or single father must work 56+ hours a month.
Keep this guide for the next big decision.
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Sources & assumptions
- MOE — Fees and financial assistance ↗
- MOE — Kindergarten Care at MOE Kindergarten (KCare) ↗
- MOE — MOE Kindergarten, Our Happy Place ↗
- MOE — 2026 MOE Kindergarten Open House and Registration Exercise ↗
- MOE — Changes to the Primary One Registration Framework to Ensure Our Schools Remain Open to All ↗
- ECDA — Overview of the infant and childcare subsidy scheme ↗
- ECDA — Subsidy table for infant care and childcare ↗