Primary
Student care after school
School-based and community student care centres look after primary pupils from dismissal to about 7pm, and all day in the holidays. Places near popular schools fill in the year before P1.
For: Working parents of children in Primary 1 to 6.
Next dates
- 1 – 31 Oct 2026Phase 3 offers
- 29 Jun – 1 Jul 2027P1 Registration Exercise 2027 (Phase 1 opens)
Start with the school's own centre
Almost every primary school has a school-based student care centre run by an operator on site. Priority usually goes to Primary 1 and 2 pupils and to lower-income families.
Student care near a school →Compare fees and SCFA
Fees are typically $250 to $400 a month before help. Centres that administer Student Care Fee Assistance can cut that sharply for lower-income households.
SCFA calculator →Check the audit grade
MSF audits centres against its standards. The grade and the audit date are on each centre's page.
Centres with audit status →Register once the P1 posting is out
Register with the centre directly, usually from September of the year before P1. Bring the child's birth certificate and both parents' NRICs; SCFA needs recent payslips or a CPF statement.
Plan the walk
If the school has no space, pick a community centre within walking distance or one that collects children from the school gate.
Map with routes →
Common questions
- Who qualifies for SCFA?
- Singapore Citizen children in a registered centre whose household income is within MSF's limits. The centre applies on your behalf; the calculator shows the tiers.
- Is there care during school holidays?
- Yes. Student care runs full days during the June, September and year-end holidays, usually 7.30am to 7pm.
Next stage: Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec) →
Rules summarised from MOE, ECDA and university publications for 2026. Always confirm on the official page before acting.