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Childcare leave eligibility and entitlement

Eligible working parents of Singapore citizen children are entitled to 6 days of paid childcare leave per year. Parents of non-citizens can get 2 days of childcare leave a year in accordance with the Employment Act.

To find out your childcare leave eligibility and entitlement, select the statements that apply to you:

6 days per year of childcare leave

Based on your selection, you are eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave in accordance with the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

2 days per year of childcare leave

Based on your selection, you are eligible for childcare leave in accordance with the Employment Act.

Based on your selection, you are not entitled to childcare leave. Your child must be under 7 years old, and you need to have worked for your employer or been self-employed for at least 3 continuous months.
Please choose an option to see your eligibility and entitlement.
If your youngest Singaporean child is between 7 and 12 years old, you could be eligible for 2 days of extended childcare leave.

You are eligible for Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) if you meet the following requirements:

  • Your child is below 7 years old.
  • Your child is a Singapore citizen.
  • For employees: you have served your employer for at least 3 continuous months.
  • For self-employed: you have been engaged in your work for at least 3 continuous months and have lost income during the childcare leave period.

Entitlement

You and your spouse each get 6 days per year of childcare leave until the year your child turns 7 years old, regardless of the number of children you have.

Childcare leave is capped at 42 days for each parent.

You need to consume your yearly childcare leave entitlement by the end of that leave year. You cannot carry forward childcare leave meant for one year to the next.

Your leave is paid as follows:

Paid by employer Reimbursed by Government
First 3 days, at your gross rate of pay
Remaining 3 days, capped at $500 per day, including CPF contributions

By default, childcare leave is based on calendar year (1 January to 31 December). However, you may agree with your employer to use a different 12-month period such as your financial year or work anniversary.

If your child is born in August 2013, you can start your leave either in 2013 or 2014.

Your last 6 days of childcare leave will be as follows:

If you start your leave in Your last 6 days must be taken in
2013 2019
2014 2020

How to apply or claim

For instructions on leave application or reimbursement claims, visit the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal.

Find out more

To find out more about Government-Paid leave schemes, you can visit:

If your child is not a Singapore citizen, you and your spouse are each entitled to 2 days of childcare leave in accordance with the Employment Act if you meet these requirements:

  • Your child (including legally adopted children or step-children) is below 7 years old.
  • You have worked for your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months.

Your childcare leave is capped at 2 days per year regardless of the number of children who qualify. Your employer will pay for the 2 days of childcare leave.

Childcare leave in accordance with the Employment Act is capped at 14 days for each parent.

Relevant legislation

Childcare leave is provided for under: