KidSTART Singapore: who qualifies, what families get and how to join

KidSTART Singapore is a free programme that supports lower-income families from pregnancy until their child turns 6, mainly through one-to-one home visits. You can join if you are pregnant or have a Singapore Citizen child aged 6 or under, and your gross household income is $2,500 a month or less, or $650 or less per person. You do not need a referral: you can apply yourself online. Since 2025 it has run in every town in Singapore.

This guide covers who qualifies, what the programme involves, how to sign up, and which agency serves your town, using the pages of KidSTART Singapore, ECDA and SupportGoWhere read on 11 October 2026.

KidSTART at a glance

Who qualifies for KidSTART

There are two tests, and you need to meet both:

• You are pregnant, or you have a child who is a Singapore Citizen and aged 6 or below.
• Your gross monthly household income is $2,500 or less, or your per capita income is $650 or less. Per capita income is the household income divided by the number of people in the household, so a larger family can qualify on that test even if its total is above $2,500.

Support can start during pregnancy and runs until your child turns 6. Some of the extra perks are only for certain age groups, so ask your practitioner what applies to your family.

What KidSTART families get

The core of KidSTART is a practitioner who visits you at home and works with you one to one. ECDA describes the aim as helping parents build warm, nurturing relationships with their children, support each child's development at the right age, and look after their health and wellbeing in the early years. In practice, KidSTART lists these outcomes: up-to-date immunisations, and children enrolling in preschool early and attending regularly.

• Home visits with ideas for supporting your child's learning and growth.
• Links to social service agencies when you need financial or social help.
• Access to doctors, nurses and social workers where your child needs them.
• Welcome packs, learning packs, fresh food packs, and events and carnivals, some for particular age groups only.

Support during pregnancy at four hospitals

KidSTART @ Hospital checks in regularly on pregnant mothers, but only for babies due to be born at KKH, NUH, SGH or SKH. If you are delivering elsewhere, you can still apply directly once you qualify. Our guide to choosing a gynae and hospital covers subsidised pregnancy care at those hospitals.

How to join KidSTART

1. Check that you meet both tests: a pregnancy or a citizen child aged 6 or under, and the income limit.
2. Fill in the application form to sign up as a KidSTART family. SupportGoWhere links to it, and so does kidstart.sg.
3. Or ask a social service agency, hospital or other agency you already work with to refer you.
4. A practitioner from the agency that covers your town contacts you to arrange the first home visit.

You can reach KidSTART Singapore's head office on 6908 0155 or at contactus@kidstart.sg, the contacts listed on its website.

Which agency covers your town

KidSTART works through nine agencies, each serving particular towns. KidSTART's own list:

KidSTART began as a pilot in 2016 in Kreta Ayer, Bukit Merah, Taman Jurong, Boon Lay and Geylang, added Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang and Bukit Batok in 2021 and six north-eastern and eastern towns in 2024, and completed its expansion to all towns in 2025. It says it has supported more than 10,000 children since 2016.

Other help for lower-income families with young children

KidSTART sits alongside the national schemes, and your practitioner can link you to social service agencies for financial help. For preschool, families earning $6,000 a month or less get the full childcare subsidy whatever the mother's job status; our guides to infant care and pre-nursery and playgroup set out the subsidy tables, and the childcare subsidy calculator works out your share. KiFAS cuts MOE Kindergarten fees to as little as $1 a month for the lowest incomes; see our MOE Kindergarten guide. For the Baby Bonus cash gift and the Child Development Account, see our Baby Bonus guide.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for KidSTART Singapore?

Pregnant mothers and families with a Singapore Citizen child aged 6 or below, whose gross monthly household income is $2,500 or less, or whose per capita income is $650 or less.

Does KidSTART cost anything?

No. SupportGoWhere lists the programme as free for eligible families.

Do I need a referral to join KidSTART?

No. You can fill in the application form yourself. Agencies can also refer families.

Can I join KidSTART while pregnant?

Yes. Pregnant mothers who meet the income test can join, and KidSTART @ Hospital supports mothers whose babies will be born at KKH, NUH, SGH or SKH.

Is KidSTART available in my town?

Yes. KidSTART says it completed its nationwide expansion in 2025 and is now in all towns, through nine agencies.