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Preschool fee cap checker (Anchor and Partner Operators)
Got a quote from a preschool? Pick the operator and programme, enter the fee, and see if it's within the government cap, with GST already added.
Figures checked 2 Oct 2026 against official government sources · Fussy Mama
Fee cap for this centre
Preschool fee caps in 2026
Anchor Operators (AOPs) and Partner Operators (POPs) get government funding. In return they must keep their monthly fees for Singapore citizen children at or under a cap. Here are the caps ECDA lists today:
| Operator | Full-day childcare | Full-day infant care | Kindergarten |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor Operator | $610 ($664.90 with GST) | $1,235 ($1,346.15 with GST) | $150 ($163.50 with GST) |
| Partner Operator | $650 ($708.50 with GST) | $1,290 ($1,406.10 with GST) | No cap listed |
| MOE Kindergarten | - | - | $160 fee (citizens), $320 (PRs) |
| Private preschool | No cap | No cap | No cap |
Caps exclude GST. We add the current 9% GST so you can compare with a quote. Sources: ECDA AOP page (updated 21 Apr 2026), ECDA POP page (updated 14 Jul 2026), MOE Kindergarten fees page (2026 fees), IRAS GST rates.
The five Anchor Operators
- PCF Sparkletots (PAP Community Foundation)
- My First Skool (NTUC First Campus)
- My World Preschool (Metropolitan YMCA)
- Skool4Kidz (Kinderland Educare Services)
- E-Bridge Pre-School (EtonHouse International)
Not sure if your centre is a POP? Ask the centre, or check the ECDA POP list. Our best preschools guide and childcare centres guide can help you shortlist.
Fees are going down: the 2030 targets
At the National Day Rally on 23 August 2026, the government said full-day fees at government-supported preschools will drop to $150 a month for childcare and $300 a month for infant care, before means-testing. Cuts start from 2028 and reach those levels by 2030. The detailed timeline comes in early 2027.
Full childcare and infant care subsidies will also go to families with citizen children whatever the main applicant's working status. Details on that come in early 2027 too.
Worked example
An Anchor Operator quotes you $665 a month for full-day childcare. The cap is $610 before GST. With 9% GST that's $664.90, which rounds to $665. So the quote sits right at the cap. Over 12 months that's about $7,980 before subsidies.
A private centre down the road quotes $1,800. No cap applies there. You'd pay $1,135 a month more before subsidies, or about $13,620 over a year. Subsidies still apply at private centres that are ECDA-licensed, so run both through the subsidy calculator before you decide.
What the cap doesn't cover
- One-off costs. The cap is a monthly fee cap. Registration, deposits, uniforms and insurance are usually billed on their own, which is why KiFAS has a separate start-up grant for them.
- Children who are not Singapore citizens. The POP cap applies to citizen children only. MOE Kindergartens charge PRs $320.
If a quote for a citizen child is above the cap, ask the centre to show you the monthly fee on its own. Still above? ECDA's hotline is 1800-111-2222.
Questions parents ask
What is the preschool fee cap in Singapore for 2026?
Anchor Operators must keep fees for citizen children at or below $610 a month for full-day childcare, $1,235 for full-day infant care and $150 for kindergarten, before GST. Partner Operators are capped at $650 for full-day childcare and $1,290 for full-day infant care.
What is an Anchor Operator?
A preschool operator that gets government funding to keep fees low and invest in quality. There are five: PCF Sparkletots, My First Skool, My World Preschool, Skool4Kidz and E-Bridge Pre-School.
What is the difference between an Anchor Operator and a Partner Operator?
Both get government funding and must keep to a fee cap. Anchor Operators have the lower caps, and Partner Operators can charge a little more ($40 more for full-day childcare, $55 more for infant care, before GST).
Is the fee cap with or without GST?
Without GST. ECDA states the caps excluding GST. With the current 9% GST, the Anchor Operator childcare cap of $610 comes to $664.90 a month.
Do fee caps apply to PR or foreign children?
The Partner Operator cap is stated for Singapore citizen children. Centres can charge PR and foreign children more. MOE Kindergartens charge PRs $320 a month in 2026, against $160 for citizens.
Are preschool fees going down?
Yes. At NDR 2026 the government said full-day fees at government-supported preschools will fall to $150 a month for childcare and $300 for infant care by 2030, before means-testing. Cuts start from 2028, with details in early 2027.
Does the fee cap include subsidies?
No. The cap is the gross fee. Your ECDA subsidy or KiFAS comes off after that, so most citizen families pay much less than the cap.
How much are MOE Kindergarten fees?
In 2026 it's $160 a month for Singapore citizens and $320 for PRs. Fees are also payable in the June and December holidays. KCare (the full-day add-on) is capped at $425 a month in 2026.
