Understanding Child Care Leave in Singapore

Balancing work and family responsibilities is a significant challenge for many parents. Singapore recognizes this and offers childcare leave as a crucial part of its family-friendly policies. This article provides a comprehensive guide to childcare leave in Singapore, addressing common questions and clarifying eligibility criteria.

Eligibility and Entitlement

The entitlement to childcare leave in Singapore depends on several factors, primarily the age and citizenship of your child, and your employment status. To be eligible, you must have worked for your current employer (or been self-employed) for at least 3 continuous months and have lost income during the leave period.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employment for at least 3 continuous months (or self-employment with income loss during leave).

Childcare Leave Entitlement:

For Children Who Are Singapore Citizens:

• Children under 7 years old: 6 days of paid childcare leave per year. The first 3 days are paid by the employer, and the remaining 3 days are paid by the government (capped at $500 per day, inclusive of CPF contributions).ⓘ
  Eligible parents with Singapore citizen children under 7 years old receive 6 days of paid childcare leave annually. The first 3 days are employer-paid, while the remaining 3 are government-funded (capped at $500 per day, including CPF contributions).
  
• Children between 7 and 12 years old: 2 days of extended paid childcare leave per year, paid by the government (capped at $500 per day, inclusive of CPF contributions).

For Children Who Are Not Singapore Citizens:

• 2 days of paid childcare leave per year, paid by the employer.

Additional Points:

• Pro-Rated Leave: Entitlement is pro-rated for new hires or those leaving their jobs during the year.
• Multiple Children: Entitlement remains the same regardless of the number of children.
• Adopted and Stepchildren: Adopted and stepchildren are covered (Adoption Order required for adopted children).

Childcare Leave vs. Other Parental Leave

Childcare leave is a statutory entitlement distinct from other types of parental leave. Let's look at the key differences:

Eligibility and Entitlement:

• Singapore Citizen Children (Under 7): Up to 6 days of Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) per year.
• Non-Citizen Children (Under 7): 2 days of childcare leave per year.
• Extended Childcare Leave (ECL): Up to 2 days per year for children aged 7-12 (fully government-paid).

Payment and Reimbursement:

• GPCL: Employer pays the first 3 days; government reimburses the remaining 3 (capped at $500/day).
• ECL: Fully paid by the government (capped at $500/day).

Usage and Restrictions:

• Leave cannot be transferred, carried forward, used to offset notice periods, or exceeded.
• Leave can be taken in blocks.

Special Considerations:

• Part-Time Employees: Leave is pro-rated based on working hours.
• Adopted and Stepchildren: Eligible once the adoption order is passed or if the child is under their care.

Differences from Other Leaves:

• Parental Leave: Not specifically defined under the Employment Act; often part of company policy.
• Paternity Leave: Separate entitlement (typically 2 weeks paid leave). See more on paternity leave in Singapore.
• Maternity Leave: Separate statutory entitlement (up to 16 weeks paid leave). More details on maternity leave in Singapore.

Can Both Parents Take Childcare Leave in the Same Year?

Yes, both parents can take childcare leave in the same year, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Each parent is entitled to the same number of days based on their child's age and citizenship.

Unused Childcare Leave

Unused childcare leave lapses at the end of the year and cannot be carried forward or encashed.

Documents Required for Application

To apply for childcare leave, you'll need to submit the following to your employer:

• GPCL/ECL Declaration Form: Completed form with parent and child details.
• Supporting Documents: Child's birth certificate, citizenship certificate (if applicable), letter of identity for foster parents/kin carers (if applicable), and legal guardianship document (if applicable).

Part-Time Employees and Childcare Leave

Part-time employees are eligible, but their entitlement is pro-rated based on their working hours. The minimum entitlement is 2 days per year.

Payment Structure

The payment is shared between the employer and the government. For Singapore Citizen children under 7, the employer pays the first 3 days, and the government pays the remaining 3 (capped at $500/day). For children 7-12, the government pays the 2 days (capped at $500/day).

Childcare Leave for Foreign Workers

Foreign workers and Employment Pass holders are eligible if they meet the eligibility criteria and their child meets the age and citizenship criteria.

Employer Refusal of Childcare Leave

If your employer refuses childcare leave, first ensure you meet all eligibility requirements. Then, try to resolve the issue amicably. If this fails, file a complaint with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or seek legal advice.

Childcare Leave Eligibility Age

Childcare leave is available until your child turns 12. For children under 2, there's also 6 days of unpaid infant care leave.

References

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5] (Note: Replace bracketed numbers with actual references to relevant Singaporean government websites or legislation.)