Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL) In Singapore: Current Entitlements & What Will Change Under The New Scheme

For working parents, childcare leave can be useful when a child is sick, childcare arrangements fall through, or you need time off for school-related matters.

Currently, eligible working parents with a Singapore Citizen child under seven can receive six days of paid childcare leave each year. Parents whose youngest Singapore Citizen child is aged seven to 12 qualify for two days of Extended Childcare Leave (ECL).

However, this system is set to change.

At National Day Rally 2026, the Government announced that the existing Childcare Leave (CCL) and Extended Childcare Leave schemes will eventually be combined into a single scheme. Depending on how many Singapore Citizen children aged 12 and below they have, each eligible working parent will receive eight, 10 or 12 days of childcare leave a year.

However, the new scheme has not started yet. As of 25 August 2026, its commencement date and full implementation details have not been announced. Until then, the existing childcare leave rules continue to apply.

How Much Childcare Leave Do Parents Currently Get?

Under the current scheme, you are eligible for six days of paid childcare leave per year if:

• Your child is below seven years old;
• Your child is a Singapore Citizen; and
• You have worked for your employer for at least three continuous months.

Self-employed parents may also qualify if they have been engaged in their business, trade, profession or vocation for at least three continuous months and lose income because they take childcare leave.

Both parents receive their own entitlement. If both qualify, the married couple can receive up to 12 days between them each year.

Eligibility depends on your child’s citizenship rather than your own. Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners can therefore also qualify if their child is a Singapore Citizen and the other conditions are met.

Having More Children Does Not Currently Increase Your Annual Entitlement

Under the current system, having more young children does not give you more childcare leave each year. An eligible parent generally receives up to six days per year, regardless of the number of children.

Who Pays For Your Childcare Leave?

Currently, your employer pays for the first three days of childcare leave while the Government pays for the fourth to sixth days, capped at $500 per day including CPF contributions.

Parents whose children are not Singapore Citizens do not qualify for the six-day GPCL entitlement.

However, employees covered by the Employment Act may still receive two days of paid childcare leave per year if their child is below seven and they have worked for their employer for at least three continuous months. These two days are employer-paid.

As announced during the National Day Rally 2026, the government will pay for all childcare leave once the new scheme kicks in.

What Happens When Your Youngest Child Turns Seven?

Parents whose youngest Singapore Citizen child is aged seven to 12 may qualify for two days of Extended Childcare Leave (ECL) per year. Both ECL days are Government-paid, subject to a cap of $500 per day including CPF contributions.

If you have children in both age groups, for example, a five-year-old and a nine-year-old, you do not receive six days of GPCL plus another two days of ECL. Your maximum entitlement under the current framework is still six days for that year.

Childcare Leave Can Be Pro-Rated If You Are New To Your Job

If you qualify for six days of childcare leave but have worked for your employer for less than a year, your entitlement may be pro-rated.

Your childcare leave may also be pro-rated if you leave your employer during the year.

What Can You Use Childcare Leave For?

Childcare leave does not have to be used only when your child is sick. Parents have flexibility to use it to care for or spend time with their child. This could include accompanying them on their first day of school or dealing with unexpected childcare arrangements. You also do not need to produce your child’s medical certificate to take childcare leave.

Unused childcare leave cannot be transferred to your spouse or encashed. It also generally cannot be carried over when you move to a new employer.

Part-Time & Contract Employees Can Also Qualify

Part-time, temporary, contract and probationary employees can qualify for childcare leave if they meet the eligibility conditions. For part-time employees, the entitlement is adjusted according to working hours so that it is equivalent to that of a comparable full-time employee.

Adoptive parents, step-parents and registered foster parents may also qualify if they meet the relevant conditions.

Childcare Leave Will Increase Under The New Scheme Announced At NDR 2026

At National Day Rally on 23 August 2026, the Government announced plans to merge CCL and ECL into a single childcare leave scheme for working parents with Singapore Citizen children aged 12 and below.

Each working parent will receive:

This represents a major shift from the current system.

Today, annual entitlement mainly depends on the youngest child’s age. Under the new framework, it will instead increase according to the number of qualifying children.

The Government Will Also Cover The Full Cost Of Child-Related Leave

Another NDR 2026 announcement concerns who pays for statutory child-related leave. Currently, employers bear the cost of the first three days of the six-day childcare leave entitlement, with the Government reimbursing days four to six.

Under the announced changes, the Government intends to cover the cost of the full duration of child-related leave schemes, subject to applicable reimbursement limits.

This includes Childcare Leave as well as Government-Paid Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave.

For employees, this does not increase the amount they are paid while on leave. However, reducing the cost borne directly by employers may make it easier for businesses to accommodate employees taking their statutory family leave.

When Will The New Childcare Leave Scheme Start?

The Government has not announced the start date or full eligibility criteria for the new scheme. Legislative and system changes will also be needed before implementation.

Parents should therefore continue to rely on their existing GPCL or ECL entitlement for now. For example, having three Singapore Citizen children aged 12 and below does not currently mean you can take 12 days of statutory childcare leave (yet).

Read Also: Complete Guide To Childcare Operator Fees In Singapore

Photo: iStock/x-reflexnaja

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