CHILDCARE ALTERNATIVES IN SINGAPORE: WHAT THE RESEARCH AND POLICY ACTUALLY SAY
- Kathy Rougier
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
Choosing childcare can feel like one of the heaviest decisions parents make.
Not because the logistics are unclear, but because the choice is often tangled up with love, identity, work, and fear of getting it wrong.
In Singapore, this decision is shaped not only by personal values, but also by ECDA regulations, limited infant care vacancies, illness exclusion rules, and work cultures that rarely slow down when family life gets complicated.
This article isn’t about telling families what they should do.
It’s about unpacking what research and policy actually say, and why more families are exploring childcare alternatives in Singapore.
Why more families in Singapore are looking beyond traditional childcare
Many childcare systems are designed for ideal conditions.
Children who never get sick.
Parents who can take leave easily.
Centres with endless availability.
Real life looks different.
Minor coughs and low-grade fevers lead to exclusions.
Infant care waitlists stretch for months.
School holidays don’t align with work responsibilities.
Weekends arrive and parents are exhausted.
Needing flexible or additional care is not a parenting failure. It’s a reflection of how modern family life actually works.
When childcare systems don’t match how families actually live
It’s sustainability. And that’s where alternative childcare models start to matter.
What research really says about third - party childcare
A lot of anxiety around childcare choices comes from the idea that research has proven certain arrangements to be harmful.
That belief doesn’t hold up.
Economist and parenting researcher Emily Oster has spent years translating large-scale childcare research for parents.
Across multiple well-regarded studies, the conclusions are consistent.
Childcare itself is neither good nor bad.
The effects researchers observe are generally small.
They often fade as children grow.
Is third-party childcare bad for children?
No.
Large longitudinal studies show that children’s outcomes are influenced far more by the quality of care than by whether that care happens at home, in a centre, or in a small group setting.
Why quality of care matters more than the type of care
High-quality care is not about fancy facilities.
It’s about caregivers who are responsive, warm, consistent, and safe.
Adults who talk, comfort, notice, and engage.
That is what supports children’s wellbeing.
Attachment, bonding, and the fear of “getting it wrong”
One of the most common worries parents carry is whether using a caregiver outside the family will weaken the parent-child bond.
Attachment research does not support this fear.
Does using a caregiver affect the parent-child bond?
There is no strong evidence that third-party care harms secure attachment.
Attachment is resilient, not fragile.
Children can form multiple healthy relationships.
A trusted caregiver does not replace a parent.
Why secure attachment is more resilient than we think
Some children cry at handovers.
Some cry when caregivers leave.
Some mix up names.
This is about transitions and development, not attachment.
Feeling sad about returning to work is also normal. It doesn’t mean the choice is wrong.
How Singapore is expanding childcare and childminding options
What’s notable in Singapore is that this shift toward flexibility is already happening at a policy level.
Beyond centre-based childcare and infant care, ECDA is actively piloting childminding and community-based care models.
Childcare, infant care, and childminding in Singapore: what’s the difference?
Childcare centres typically serve children from 18 months to 6 years.
Infant care centres care for babies from as young as 2 months.
Childminding offers small-ratio care, often in homes or community spaces.
Each model meets different needs at different life stages.
What the ECDA childminding pilot signals about the future of care
The ECDA Childminding Pilot recognises that small ratios, training, and safety matter.
This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about widening access to appropriate, regulated care.
How to think about choosing childcare that works for your family
The right question isn’t “Is this bad?”
A more helpful question is: Is this care safe, responsive, and sustainable for our family right now?
Children benefit when the adults caring for them are supported, not stretched to breaking point.
What to prioritise when comparing childcare options
Look for emotional responsiveness, safety and training, clear communication, and ratios that allow caregivers to be present.
Labels matter far less than lived experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about childcare alternatives in Singapore
Is third-party childcare bad for babies or young children?
No. Research shows outcomes are influenced more by quality of care than by the care setting itself.
Does childminding or daycare affect attachment with parents?
There is no strong evidence that it does. Secure attachment is resilient, and children can form multiple healthy bonds.
What are alternatives to infant care centres in Singapore?
Alternatives include ECDA-supported childminding services, community-based care models, and flexible childcare providers.
Is childminding regulated in Singapore?
Yes. Childminders under the ECDA pilot undergo background checks, mandatory training, and follow industry standards.
Is it normal to feel guilty about childcare choices?
Very normal. Feeling conflicted doesn’t mean you’re making a poor choice. It means you care.
Exploring regulated childcare and childminding options in Singapore
Below are several childcare and childminding options in Singapore that families currently use, each suited to different needs and life stages.
Flexible childcare providers supporting families outside traditional centres
A small, home-like childcare environment created in response to gaps families experience around illness exclusions, infant care shortages, and parental burnout. Focused on wellbeing, flexibility, and partnership with parents.
Address: 7b Crane Road, Singapore
Phone: 8960 1863
Instagram: @thefuncovesg
EduNanny by Butler: A childminding provider focused on personalised, nurturing care delivered by trained childminders supporting diverse family needs.
Kidibliss Childminding Pte. Ltd.: An on-demand childcare provider with over five years of experience delivering childminding services to families and corporate clients.
NannyPro Care Pte. Ltd.: A long-established childminding provider and social enterprise supporting families while creating meaningful employment for women.
There is no single right childcare choice
Good care comes in many forms.
Some families choose centres.
Some choose childminding.
Some need flexible, short-term support.
What matters is that families have options, trust, and compassion as they navigate these decisions.
Sources and further reading
Research underpinning the discussion
Emily Oster – ParentData: https://parentdata.org/
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) – Findings for Children up to Age 4.5 years: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/documents/seccyd_06.pdf
Singapore policy and regulation
Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Singapore – Childminding Pilot for Infants: https://www.ecda.gov.sg/parents/other-services/childminding-pilot-for-infants
Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Singapore – Childcare and Infant Care Subsidies: https://www.ecda.gov.sg/parents/preschool-subsidies/infant-and-childcare-subsidy-scheme/overview
Thinking about quality in early childhood care
Harvard Center on the Developing Child – Serve and Return Interaction: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/serve-and-return/
OECD – Starting Strong: Early Childhood Education and Care: https://quality-ecec.oecd.org/
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