NDR 2026: Working parent to get up to 12 days of childcare leave

Working parents will get more childcare leave under a package of measures aimed at giving Singaporeans greater confidence to start and raise families.

These measures, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally at ITE College Central on Sunday (Aug 23), will provide parents with more protected time to care for their children through their growing years, said the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) today.

The current childcare leave (CCL) and extended childcare leave (ECL) schemes will be merged into a new streamlined CCL scheme for working parents with children aged 12 and below.

Under the new arrangement, every working parent will receive eight days of childcare leave for one child, 10 days for two children, and 12 days for three or more children.

In his speech, PM Wong said that many parents have pointed out that the existing childcare leave entitlement is insufficient. 

"Because having more children means greater caregiving responsibilities. And older children still need their parents - the needs are different, but they do not go away," he said.

"So parents often end up using their own annual leave."

Going forward, a working couple with three children will receive a total of 24 days of childcare leave, compared with 12 days under the current arrangement. 

This is an increase from the current provision of six days of CCL when a parent's youngest child is aged six and below, and two days of ECL when their youngest child is aged seven to 12.

"This will give parents more time and much greater flexibility to care for their children," said PM Wong.

@asiaone PM Lawrence Wong also urged employers to support their workers who are parents, reminding them that parents who feel supported are better able to give their best - at home and at work. #sgnews #Singapore #NDR2026 #Parent #Children ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Govt to reimburse employers

Under the new arrangement, PM Wong said that the government will also reimburse employers for the full duration of all child-related leave, up to the reimbursement cap.

The move is intended to reduce the financial burden on employers and encourage them to be more supportive of working parents who take the leave they are entitled to.

"So I ask all employers to do your part... to make sure [that] becoming a parent never becomes a disadvantage in someone's career. Remember, parents who feel supported are better able to give their best - at home and at work," said PM Wong. 

Currently, parents receive up to 30 weeks of government-paid leave, which includes 16 weeks of maternity leave, four weeks of paternity leave and 10 weeks of shared parental leave on top of the above new measures. 

More details on the start date of the new CCL scheme will be announced at a later date. 

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