Childcare Centres Operated by Not-For-Profit Organisations at HDB Void Decks

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) how many void deck childcare centres are currently leased to not-for-profit organisations; (b) what is the average rent per square foot and childcare fees for these centres; (c) how many new void deck childcare facilities are expected to be made available for lease in the next two years; and (d) what percentage of these will be for not-for-profit organisations.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: There are currently 317 childcare centres operated by non-profit organisations, of which 290 are sited in HDB void deck premises.

The Government recognises the important role that non-profit organisations play in providing affordable and accessible childcare services, particularly for children from lower income or disadvantaged backgrounds. We support these operators in different ways, including making available HDB void deck space, and providing grants for the set-up, furnishing and cyclical maintenance of centres in HDB void decks. The Government also charges a lower rental rate, or about $2 to $4 per square metre, on HDB void deck space for non-profit childcare centres.

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The current median fee for full-day child care provided by a non-profit operator is $615, compared to the commercial operators' median fee of $885. To help parents with affordability, the Government also provides various forms of financial support, including a universal subsidy of up to $300 per month for all Singapore citizen children, and funds under the Baby Bonus scheme which can be used to offset childcare fees. Lower income families can obtain additional financial assistance under ComCare.

We will do more to encourage the development of childcare centres by making available more information to operators – both non-profit as well as commercial providers. We are in the midst of compiling a list of upcoming HDB void deck sites earmarked for the set-up of childcare centres. We will make this list available to providers when it is ready, and also periodically update the list as more sites become available.