By the end of 2020, as per the Ministry of Education directive, all primary schools in Singapore had school-based student care centres (SCC). This means all parents with children in primary school have a safe place to leave their kids for a few hours (after school) while they are at work, at a cost. Afterschool care fees vary, with some SCCs charging as low as $200 per month while others charge more.
The variation in student care fees depends on the type of services, the student care centre’s popularity, and the facilities’ quality. The afterschool care cost in community-based student care centres is usually higher, with most charging between $500 – $1200 monthly.
Why Community-Based Student Care Centres Cost More Than School-Based Student Care Centres
Student care fees in Singapore are not standardised because SCCs are operated by commercial entities or welfare organisations. The student care services vary from institution to institution, and the range of services determines the primary school student care fees.
The student care centre fees in community-based student care centres are higher for the following reasons:
More services
Community-based student centres offer academic support, enrichment classes, games, meals and more. All these services are covered in the afterschool care cost.
Better facilities
School-based student care centres usually use established school facilities, vehicle community-based student care centres have facilities specially prepared for the services they offer. For example, rooms designated for specific use, such as games and enrichment classes, are prepared for ease of use and to trigger the right stimuli response as kids learn and play.
High operating costs
Community-based student care centres pay more rent than student care centres within school premises. Those in high-end malls may also charge higher primary school student care fees than those in community centres.
Popularity
Since they offer more services, often targeting the holistic development of a child, student care centres face a high demand. Some even have waitlists. Student care centre fees in such institutions are high.
Staff qualification
The number of staff needed to ensure smooth operations in community-based student care centres is higher than that of school-based student care centres. The teacher-to-student ratio is lower, and qualification demands are also higher.
Meal provisions
Community-based student care centres have an in-house kitchen, providing freshly prepared healthy meals. This service is one of the attractions for most parents, but they have to pay higher student care fees for it. School-based community centres tend to use a canteen or catering service.
Student Care Fee Assistance
The Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) program targets lower-income families. The aim is to make afterschool care cost affordable for Singaporean households earning $4,500 and below. Unemployed parents actively seeking work, those on medical leave, or certified full-time caregivers are also eligible for SCFA.
The subsidies vary from household to household, with some getting up to 98% student care centre fees subsidy. This means some families pay as little as $5 per month.
Only student care centres registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) offer SCFA. Additionally, only eligible families get assistance. Of the 36,000 students currently in MSF-registered student care centres (both school-based and community-based student care centres), only 6,600 children are beneficiaries of SCFA.
The affordability of student care fees in Singapore is subjective. Fortunately, there are hundreds of student care centres, some strategically located, so parents have multiple options based on their budget and eligibility to get SCFA. School-based student care centres limit admission to students within the same school, while community-based student care centres are open to kids from different schools.