Working Mothers Receiving Childcare Subsidies

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether working mothers who have been receiving childcare subsidies can continue to receive the same level of subsidies for up to three months without being subjected to a case-by-case review when they become unemployed and are looking for a new job in the interim; and (b) under what circumstances do current case-by-case reviews reject such appeals.

Working mothers who become unemployed may need some time to look for a new job. The Early Childhood Development Agency supports these mothers by providing the same level of childcare subsidies for three months after their employment had ended.

This extension of subsidies is intended to support these mothers and give them peace of mind as they look for employment, knowing that their children continue to be cared for in preschool.

We will continue to review these policies and processes, as providing affordable and quality preschool services for parents is a key priority for the Government.