Singapore to hire 1,800 infant care educators by 2030

Singapore plans to hire 1,800 additional infant care educators by 2030 to address rising demand. To support this, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will expand the Manpower Hiring Grant (MHG) starting in September 2026. The expanded grant will provide funding for local and foreign trainees enrolled in early childhood courses, including specialized infant care certifications.

The MHG funding will be extended until December 31, 2030. ECDA is also exploring overseas partnerships and ways to transition existing preschool educators into infant care roles to bolster the workforce.

In a related discussion regarding family support policies, concerns have been raised by small business owners regarding potential manpower shortages. While the government is increasing childcare leave for parents with three or more children and offering salary reimbursements, some employers worry about the operational impact and the difficulty of finding coverage for specialized roles.