SINGAPORE – The new support measures address the practical demands of having a family and recognise the need for more time with older children, said parents.<\/p>\n
They added that these initiatives, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong<\/span><\/a> at the National Day Rally, signal a stronger focus on supporting parents through their children\u2019s growing years and move beyond simply offering incentives to have more babies.<\/p>\n But parents and observers said broader social norms, including workplace culture and the wider environment in which children are raised, will also need to change to shift mindsets around parenthood.<\/p>\n PM Wong on Aug 23 announced policy changes including more childcare leave<\/span><\/a>, lower pre-school fees<\/span><\/a> and more financial support amounting to nearly $70,000 a child from birth up to the age of 17.<\/span><\/a> This includes a new SG Child Support Package worth $62,000 regardless of birth order.<\/p>\n For Justin Ko and his wife, who both work full-time, making childcare arrangements for their two primary school children during school holidays has been a yearly struggle.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are more than 70 days when the kids have no school, but each of us has only two days of childcare leave,\u201d said Ko, 38, a creative producer.<\/p>\n Under the new measures, Ko and his wife will each get 10 days of leave. This will give them more flexibility to care for their children during term breaks and other occasions like PSLE marking days and school holidays like Teachers\u2019 Day and Children\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n Justin Ko with his wife and children. Under the new measures, Ko and his wife will each get 10 days of leave.<\/p>\n PHOTO: COURTESY OF JUSTIN KO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While the higher leave entitlements and financial benefits have provided some relief, parents and observers also suggested other moves such as extending subsidies to working parents whose primary school children attend after-school care, and expanding access to fertility treatments.<\/p>\n Young Firman Young Azman, 31, who works as a driver, and his wife, Nadyrha Mat Ali, 32, a patient service associate, will each get 10 days of childcare leave, up from the current six. The start date for the new scheme will be announced later.<\/p>\n This will come in handy in caring for their two sons, aged two years, and six months old. Still, they feel guilty about having colleagues cover for them while on childcare leave, even though their workplaces are supportive of families.<\/p>\n Young Firman Young Azman and Nadyrha Mat Ali with their two sons at their home in Jurong West.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While the new measures are bold moves, Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh said implementing increased childcare leave at workplaces may not be straightforward.<\/p>\n Employees may hesitate to use all their leave, while smaller companies may struggle to cover absences despite government financial support. Co-workers without children may feel that they are taking on more work when parents take childcare leave, he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t try a one-size-fits-all approach for all employers… In encouraging a family-friendly culture, we should be mindful not to make parents less attractive to employers,\u201d said Loh, a father of four children aged five to 13.<\/p>\n A 30-year-old who wanted to be known only as Ng welcomed her daughter in 2026. The maritime industry professional said there is still some stigma around taking childcare leave.<\/p>\n She has heard colleagues who take such leave being questioned with remarks like: \u201cYour maternity leave is already so long, you still want to take childcare leave? Can\u2019t your husband take care of the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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