01 The routes
The three routes, by real monthly cost
For a typical dual-income family (household income above $12,000, so basic subsidy applies but not the additional one):
| Option | Gross cost/mo | After subsidy/concession | One-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant care — Anchor Operator | ~$1,346 (incl. GST) | ~$746 (−$600 basic subsidy) | Deposit ~1 month |
| Infant care — private | $3,000+ | ~$2,400+ | Deposit |
| Domestic helper | $1,050–$1,650 all-in | ~$1,050–$1,650 (levy $60 with child) | $1,000–$3,000 agency/permit |
| Grandparents / family | $0–$500 | ~$0–$500 (goodwill / allowance) | — |
Families earning under $12,000/mo get an additional subsidy of up to $710/mo on infant care — bringing a working mother's net fee down to as little as a few dollars. From 2027 the income ceiling for that rises from $12,000 to $15,000.
02 Side by side
What you'd actually pay each month
Illustrative monthly cost, dual-income family above the additional-subsidy ceiling. A helper looks dearer per month but covers housework and a second child at no extra childcare cost — which changes the maths for bigger families.
For your money: the classic mistake is weighing $746 a month against one year of a second salary. The real comparison is against the career — staying employed keeps the promotions, the CPF compounding and the re-entry option. Childcare is expensive; leaving the workforce to avoid it is usually far more expensive, it just doesn't send a monthly bill.
For your life: and yet the maths isn't the tiebreaker. If one of you genuinely wants to be home for these years, that's a legitimate thing to spend money on — arguably the best thing. The only trap is drifting into either path by default. Choose it out loud, cost it honestly, and revisit it each year as the children and the careers change.
03 The non-money factors
The trade-offs beyond the dollars
- Infant care: structured, social, fixed hours; professional hands, but you're tied to opening times and sick-day closures
- Helper: maximum flexibility and household help; but you're an employer (levy, insurance, MOM duties) and quality varies hugely
- Grandparents: cheapest and most loving option for many — but it's a big ask, and differing parenting styles need managing
- Many families mix: grandparents early, infant care later, or a helper plus part-time family help
Don't just compare price tags — match the route to your household's stage, support network and how many children you plan to have.
Want to go deeper?
Sources & notes
Figures as of June 2026. Infant care fee caps (Anchor $1,235, Partner $1,290, excl. GST), the basic ($600) and additional (up to $710) subsidies, and the 2027 income-ceiling change are from ECDA. Domestic helper costs (salary, levy, concession, insurance) are from MOM and published 2026 cost guides. Net figures are illustrative for a dual-income family above the additional-subsidy ceiling.
General information, not financial advice. Jonathan Wong is a licensed financial adviser representative in Singapore, currently between firms — during that period he is not able to provide financial advice. You can check his registration yourself on the MAS Financial Institution Representatives Register at eservices.mas.gov.sg/rr.