Parents in Singapore will receive more childcare leave under changes announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the National Day Rally 2026, with the number of days set to increase according to how many children they have.
Under the new arrangement, a working parent with one child aged 12 or below will be entitled to eight days of childcare leave. Those with two children will receive 10 days, while parents with three or more children will receive 12 days of leave.
The changes represent a shift away from the current system, where childcare leave entitlement is primarily determined by the age of the youngest child rather than the total number of children in the family. The move is aimed at giving parents more flexibility to manage family responsibilities while continuing their careers.
New Childcare Leave Entitlements
At present, eligible working parents receive six days of childcare leave if their youngest child is aged six or below. The entitlement falls to two days when the youngest child is aged between seven and 12.
The new framework will instead provide eight, 10 or 12 days depending on the number of children aged 12 and below. This means parents with larger families will receive additional time away from work to deal with childcare responsibilities.
The announcement forms part of broader efforts to make Singapore a more family-friendly society, particularly as the Government seeks to address the challenges faced by parents balancing employment, childcare and household commitments.
Government Has Expanded Paid Parental Leave
PM Wong said one of the most valuable forms of support the Government can provide parents is time with their children. He pointed to the significant expansion of paid parental leave in recent years as part of Singapore’s wider family support policies.
Parents can now receive up to 30 weeks of government-paid leave through a combination of maternity, paternity and shared parental leave. This includes 16 weeks of maternity leave, four weeks of paternity leave and 10 weeks of shared parental leave.
The Prime Minister said the Government remains open to further improvements in parental leave in the future. However, he acknowledged that some of the latest arrangements were introduced only recently and employers need time to adjust to the changes.
More Support For Working Parents
PM Wong said childcare leave was an area where the Government could make further improvements now. Increasing the entitlement based on family size is intended to recognise that parents with more children may face greater childcare demands.
For working parents, the additional leave could provide greater flexibility when children fall ill, require care during school holidays or need parental attention for other family-related matters.
The changes also come as Singapore continues to strengthen policies aimed at supporting marriage and parenthood. By providing parents with additional time away from work, the Government hopes to reduce some of the practical pressures associated with raising children.
The new childcare leave framework is therefore likely to be welcomed by larger families in particular, as parents with three or more children aged 12 and below will receive the highest entitlement of 12 days.
Further details on when the revised childcare leave arrangements will take effect and how the new rules will be implemented are expected to provide greater clarity for both employees and employers.