MOE to pilot full-day model at 2 kindergartens in 2027, roll out to all MOE kindergartens by 2030

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will pilot a full-day model at two MOE kindergartens in 2027, before progressively rolling it out to all its kindergartens from 2028 to 2030.

The pilot will take place at MK@Rivervale and MK@West View, MOE said in an Oct. 28 press release.

Speaking to the media at West View Primary School on Oct. 28, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun said the model would help educators better understand children’s needs and provide targeted support.

The move is part of the government's broader efforts to help families access quality and affordable preschools, as announced at the National Day Rally 2026.

Learning, play and care in one programme

MOE currently operates 56 kindergartens, which offer a four-hour Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) programme for children aged five to six.

Parents who need full-day services can opt for Kindergarten Care (KCare), which is provided by external operators appointed by MOE.

Under the new model, learning, play and care will be integrated into a single full-day programme operated by MOE.

The ministry said this would better support children's holistic development and meet families' evolving needs for a more seamless full-day learning experience.

Children will have greater continuity in learning and more sustained interactions with kindergarten staff, allowing them to build stronger relationships.

There will also be more opportunities to enrich their learning experiences, while children from disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit from a more seamless and supportive learning environment, MOE said.

The pilot's findings will guide the wider rollout from 2028 to 2030.

At the start of each year's MOE Kindergarten Registration Exercise in March, MOE will announce which kindergartens will implement the model the following year.

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Full-day services from 7am to 7pm

Kindergartens under the full-day model will operate from 7am to 7pm on weekdays during school terms and school holidays.

They will close on gazetted public holidays, MOE's designated school holidays and centre closure days.

The programme will be run by MOE Kindergarten educators, supported by MOE-hired programme officers who will help deliver activities and assist with children's care and supervision.

Children will have a wider range of learning and play experiences, including child-directed play in their Mother Tongue Language and open-ended outdoor play.

School holiday activities will include hands-on experiences incorporating STEM, drama and visual arts.

Parents who do not need full-day services can continue to choose a half-day programme, which will run from 7am to 12:30pm.

Full-day fees from S$3 after subsidies for eligible Singapore citizens

For the two kindergartens in the 2027 pilot, parents will pay a single fee instead of separate kindergarten and KCare fees.

The amount payable will depend on each family's eligibility for the Basic Subsidy, Additional Subsidy and MOE top-up subsidy.

Families enrolled in the pilot will receive preschool subsidies under the Early Childhood Development Agency's Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme.

This will replace the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme and MOE's existing KCare subsidies for these families.

MOE will also provide additional top-up subsidies to keep out-of-pocket fees comparable to current levels.

The ministry said fees after subsidies would be comparable to the current combined kindergarten and KCare fees, as well as fees at ECDA Anchor Operator full-day childcare centres.

Parents may have to pay additional fees for learning journeys and external vendor-led programmes during the school holidays. Subsidies will be available to families who meet the relevant income criteria.

Fees for the subsequent rollout from 2028 to 2030 will be announced when available.

Educators expected to keep current working hours

On manpower, Syed Harun said the shift to a full-day model would involve changes in staffing arrangements.

However, educators are currently expected to continue working the same number of hours.

“At this point of time, we anticipate that our MK educators will be still working at the same number of hours that they do today.”

The programme will be run by MOE Kindergarten educators, supported by MOE-hired programme officers who will help deliver activities and assist with children’s care and supervision.

Syed Harun said the pilot would help MOE assess manpower needs and refine its plans ahead of the wider rollout.

Addressing educators, he said:

“My assurance to the MK educators is that we are studying how best we can support their workload as they educate our young ones at the same time.”

He added that MOE also hoped to strengthen educators’ professional development.