Childcare Leave Singapore: What You Need to Know

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If you’re a working parent in Singapore with young children, you may be entitled to childcare leave. This leave is designed to help you balance your work and family responsibilities by providing you with time off to care for your child. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about childcare leave in Singapore, including how to apply and claim it.

A parent holding a baby while submitting paperwork for childcare leave in Singapore

Understanding Childcare Leave in Singapore Childcare leave is a type of leave that is available to working parents in Singapore who have children under the age of seven. The purpose of this leave is to give parents the time they need to care for their children, whether it’s to attend to their medical needs or simply to spend time with them. If you’re eligible for childcare leave, you can take up to six days of leave per year.

Applying and Claiming Childcare Leave To apply for childcare leave, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For example, you must be a working parent in Singapore with a child who is under the age of seven. You’ll also need to provide documentation to support your claim, such as your child’s birth certificate or passport. Once you’ve been approved for childcare leave, you can take it at any time during the year.

Key Takeaways

Childcare leave is available to working parents in Singapore with children under the age of seven.
You can take up to six days of childcare leave per year.
To apply for childcare leave, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria and provide documentation to support your claim.

Understanding Childcare Leave in Singapore

A parent submitting childcare leave form online with a laptop and documents on a desk

If you are a working parent in Singapore, you may be eligible for childcare leave. Childcare leave is a benefit that allows parents to take time off work to take care of their children. In this section, we will discuss the eligibility criteria, entitlements for working parents, and extended childcare leave provisions in Singapore.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for childcare leave in Singapore, you must meet certain criteria. According to the Employment Act, employees who have worked for their employer for at least three months are entitled to six days of paid childcare leave per year if they have at least one child who is a Singapore citizen below seven years old. Parents of non-citizens can get two days of childcare leave a year.

Entitlements for Working Parents

As a working parent in Singapore, you are entitled to take childcare leave to take care of your child. You can use your childcare leave to attend your child’s medical appointments, accompany them on their first day of school, or when you are unable to make alternative childcare arrangements during school closures.

Extended Childcare Leave Provisions

In addition to regular childcare leave, the Singapore government also provides extended childcare leave provisions. Under the Child Development Co-Savings Act, working parents can take up to six days of government-paid childcare leave per year for children aged between seven and 12 years old. To be eligible for extended childcare leave, you must have worked for your employer for at least three months and have a child who is a Singapore citizen.

Part III of the Child Development Co-Savings Act and Part IX of the Employment Act outline the rules and regulations surrounding childcare leave in Singapore. It is important to understand your entitlements and obligations as a working parent to ensure that you can take care of your child while maintaining your employment.

Applying and Claiming Childcare Leave

An employee submits paperwork for childcare leave at a Singaporean office, while a supervisor reviews and approves the request

If you are an employee or self-employed in Singapore, you can apply for childcare leave to take care of your child. Here’s what you need to know about applying and claiming childcare leave.

Procedure for Employees and Self-Employed

To apply for childcare leave, you need to inform your employer at least seven days in advance. You can use your childcare leave in blocks of one day or half a day. If you are self-employed, you can apply for childcare leave through the CPF website.

To claim your childcare leave, you need to submit the necessary documents to your employer or the CPF Board. Your employer will then process your claim and pay you for the days of leave taken. If you are self-employed, you can claim your childcare leave through the CPF website.

Understanding Government-Paid Childcare Leave

Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) is a paid leave scheme for eligible working parents who have a Singapore citizen child below seven years old. The GPCL provides up to six days of leave per relevant period for each parent.

To be eligible for GPCL, you must meet certain criteria, such as being a working parent with a Singapore citizen child below seven years old. You can apply for GPCL through the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal.

Managing Unused Leave and Resignation

If you have unused childcare leave, it will lapse at the end of each agreed 12-month period. You cannot carry over any unused childcare leave to a new company if you change employer. If you resign from your job, you will not be reimbursed for any unused childcare leave.

If you have any disputes regarding your childcare leave, you can approach the Ministry of Manpower or the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for assistance.

In conclusion, applying and claiming childcare leave in Singapore is a straightforward process. By following the correct procedures and understanding the eligibility criteria, you can take advantage of paid leave schemes such as GPCL to take care of your child without losing income.

Frequently Asked Questions

A parent reading a pamphlet on "Childcare Leave FAQs" with a puzzled expression, surrounded by toys and a stroller

How many days of childcare leave am I entitled to in Singapore?

As a working parent in Singapore, you are entitled to six days of paid childcare leave per year. This applies if your child is below seven years old and is a Singapore citizen. If your child is a permanent resident, you are entitled to two days of unpaid childcare leave.

What are the eligibility criteria for childcare leave in Singapore?

To be eligible for childcare leave in Singapore, you must have worked for your current employer for at least three months. You must also have a child who is below seven years old and is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.

Can foreigners apply for childcare leave in Singapore?

Foreigners who are working in Singapore are eligible for childcare leave if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, if their child is not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, they are entitled to two days of unpaid childcare leave instead of the six days of paid childcare leave.

How is childcare leave prorated for part-time employees?

If you are a part-time employee, your childcare leave entitlement will be prorated based on the number of hours you work. For example, if you work half the hours of a full-time employee, you will be entitled to three days of paid childcare leave instead of six.

What is the process to check my childcare leave entitlement?

You can check your childcare leave entitlement by logging into the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) online portal using your SingPass. Once you have logged in, you will be able to view your childcare leave balance and history.

Are parents with children above 7 years old eligible for extended childcare leave?

No, parents with children above seven years old are not eligible for extended childcare leave. Extended childcare leave is only available to parents of Singaporean children in primary school who have used up their six days of paid childcare leave. They can take up to two days of extended childcare leave per year until their child completes primary school.