# Preschools & Childcare in Kovan

Every childcare centre and kindergarten must hold an ECDA licence. Licences last 6 to 36 months, and a short licence signals a weaker compliance record. In 2026, anchor operators can charge at most $610 a month before GST for full-day childcare and partner operators at most $650. Singapore Citizen children get a Basic Subsidy of up to $300 a month, and means-tested Additional Subsidy on top.

## Key facts
- Listings: 20
- Matched to a government licence/register: 14
- Median years in business: 13

## Prices in Singapore
Government-supported anchor operators (AOP) and partner operators (POP) have fee caps. Private operators set their own fees. The figures below are monthly fees for 2026 before subsidies. Subsidies are deducted from the bill for eligible Singapore Citizen children.

| Service | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-day childcare, anchor operator | S$610 per month (before GST) | 2026 cap, down from $640 in 2025. PCF Sparkletots charges $664.90 with GST. |
| Full-day childcare, partner operator | S$650 per month (before GST) | 2026 cap |
| Full-day infant care, anchor operator | S$1,235 per month (before GST) | PCF Sparkletots charges $1,346.15 with GST in 2026. |
| Full-day childcare, private premium operators | S$1,500–S$1,885 per month | Examples: MapleBear from $1,780, Kinderland non-POP centres $1,600–$1,885. |
| MOE Kindergarten (K1–K2) | S$160–S$320 per month | $160 for Singapore Citizens and $320 for PRs in 2026. Full-day KCare costs up to $425 a month. |
| Anchor operator kindergarten (half-day) | S$150–S$164 per month | $150 cap before GST. PCF charges $163.50 with GST. |

## Licences
- **Early Childhood Development Centre licence** (Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), required): Required under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017 for any centre that cares for or educates five or more children under seven for a fee. Licences run for 6, 12, 24 or 36 months depending on compliance. New centres start on 12 months. Check: https://www.ecda.gov.sg/beanstalk/parents-portal/parent-guides/understanding-your-childs-preschools-licence
- **SPARK (Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework)** (ECDA, optional): A voluntary quality accreditation for teaching, learning and leadership. It is a separate, higher bar than the licence.

## How to choose
- Look at the licence tenure on the centre's licence. ECDA gives 36 months only to centres that consistently meet requirements. A 6- or 12-month licence at an established centre means ECDA is monitoring it more closely. New centres start on 12 months by default.
- Compare the fee after subsidies, not the list price. A working mother's child at an anchor-operator centre pays $610 before GST, less the $300 Basic Subsidy, and less any Additional Subsidy for a household earning up to $12,000 a month.
- Subsidies only apply at ECDA-licensed centres, and the main applicant (usually the mother) must work at least 56 hours a month to get the full working rate. Non-working mothers get $150 a month.
- Use your Child Development Account (CDA) to pay fees, deposits and, since May 2025, approved enrichment charges at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions. Check the centre is on the list at go.gov.sg/listofais.
- Visit during the day and ask about teacher-to-child ratios, staff turnover and how long the current teachers have been there.

## Red flags
- A home or space caring for five or more children under seven for a fee without an ECDA licence. This is illegal.
- A centre that won't show its licence or tell you its licence tenure.
- Large registration fees or deposits that are non-refundable and not explained in writing.
- Frequent turnover of teachers or principals, which parents often mention in reviews.

## Listings (top 20)
- [Elfa Preschool](https://lookup.sg/biz/elfa-preschool), Kovan · 202 HOUGANG STREET 21 #3-00 HDB · 3 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 1998
- [Kinderland Preschool](https://lookup.sg/biz/kinderland-preschool-kovan), Kovan · 202 HOUGANG STREET 21 #03-00 · 3 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 1987
- [Junior Champs @ Kovan](https://lookup.sg/biz/junior-champs-kovan), Kovan · 205 HOUGANG STREET 21 #04-00 HEARTLAND MALL- KOVAN · 1 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2007
- [Camberley International Pre-School Private](https://lookup.sg/biz/camberley-international-pre-school-private), Kovan · 16 FLOWER ROAD · 5 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2011
- [Cherie Hearts @ Charlton](https://lookup.sg/biz/cherie-hearts-charlton), Kovan · 19F CHARLTON LANE · 6 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2011
- [Little Greenhouse @ Hougang](https://lookup.sg/biz/little-greenhouse-hougang), Kovan · 27 HOUGANG AVENUE 1 · 6 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2013
- [Catholic Kindergarten](https://lookup.sg/biz/catholic-kindergarten), Kovan · 15 FLOWER ROAD · 3 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2014
- [My World Preschool](https://lookup.sg/biz/my-world-preschool-kovan), Kovan · 373 Hougang St 31 #01-65 · 8 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2014
- [Little Paddington Preschool Serangoon](https://lookup.sg/biz/little-paddington-preschool-serangoon), Kovan · 4 JALAN TANI · 8 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2015
- [Maplebear Learning House](https://lookup.sg/biz/maplebear-learning-house), Kovan · 45 JALAN SONGKET CHARLTON PARK · 5 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2017
- [Lodestar Montessori Preschool](https://lookup.sg/biz/lodestar-montessori-preschool), Kovan · 23 JALAN TELITI · 7 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed · registered 2018
- [Little Seeds Preschool](https://lookup.sg/biz/little-seeds-preschool), Kovan · 839 UPPER SERANGOON ROAD · 4 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed
- [Pcf Sparkletots Preschool @ Paya Lebar Blk 221 (Cc)](https://lookup.sg/biz/pcf-sparkletots-preschool-paya-lebar-blk-221-cc), Kovan · 221 HOUGANG STREET 21 #01-90 · 4 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed
- [The Schoolhouse Aroozoo](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-schoolhouse-aroozoo), Kovan · 19 AROOZOO AVENUE PAYA LEBAR SWIMMING COMPLEX · 7 min walk from Kovan MRT · ECDA licensed
- [Eager Kids Montessori](https://lookup.sg/biz/eager-kids-montessori), Kovan · 247 Hougang Ave 3, #01-454 · 8 min walk from Kovan MRT · registered 2011
- [Ezy Pzy Academy](https://lookup.sg/biz/ezy-pzy-academy), Kovan · 183 Jln Pelikat, #01-40 The Promenade @ Pelikat · 7 min walk from Kovan MRT · registered 2016
- [MapleBear Kovan](https://lookup.sg/biz/maplebear-kovan), Kovan · 45 Jln Songket · 5 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Serangoon Centre](https://lookup.sg/biz/serangoon-centre), Kovan · 2C Lim Ah Pin Rd · 5 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [Little Green House](https://lookup.sg/biz/little-green-house-kovan), Kovan · 27 Hougang Ave 1 · 6 min walk from Kovan MRT
- [School House By The Garden](https://lookup.sg/biz/school-house-by-the-garden), Kovan · 27A Hougang Ave 1 · 6 min walk from Kovan MRT

## FAQs
### How much is childcare in Singapore in 2026?
Full-day childcare at anchor operators such as PCF Sparkletots and My First Skool is capped at $610 a month before GST in 2026. Partner operators are capped at $650. Private premium centres often charge $1,500–$1,900. Singapore Citizen children get a $300 Basic Subsidy if the mother works, plus a means-tested Additional Subsidy of up to $467, so many families pay far less than the list price.

### Who qualifies for the preschool Additional Subsidy?
As of 2026, the Additional Subsidy goes to Singapore Citizen children at ECDA-licensed centres whose main applicant works at least 56 hours a month. Gross monthly household income must be $12,000 or less, or per capita income $3,000 or less for larger households. It is up to $467 a month for childcare and $710 for infant care, and lower-income families get more. The government has said the income ceiling will rise from 1 January 2027.

### What is KiFAS?
The Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) is a means-tested subsidy for Singapore Citizen children in half-day kindergartens run by MOE or anchor operators. It applies to households earning $12,000 or less a month (or $3,000 per capita). Published 2025 amounts range from about $19 to $163 a month, so it can cover most of the $160 MOE Kindergarten fee for lower-income families.

### How do I check if a preschool is licensed?
Every centre caring for five or more children under seven for a fee must have an ECDA licence. Ask to see it and check the tenure: 36 months for a strong track record, 24 for mostly compliant, and 6 or 12 for centres under closer monitoring (new centres start at 12). You can also look up centres in ECDA's preschool search on LifeSG.

## Sources
- ECDA: Understanding your child's preschool licence: https://www.ecda.gov.sg/beanstalk/parents-portal/parent-guides/understanding-your-childs-preschools-licence
- Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ECDCA2017
- MOE Kindergarten fees: https://www.moe.gov.sg/preschool/moe-kindergarten/fees
- MSF: Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme: https://www.msf.gov.sg/media-room/article/Kindergarten-Fee-Assistance-Scheme-KiFAS
- Income Insurance: Childcare subsidy 2025: https://income.com.sg/blog/child-care-subsidies-singapore
- ask.gov.sg: CDA use at Approved Institutions: https://ask.gov.sg/msf/questions/cm82u6ku800p38o8va2c2f64v

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Source: Lookup (https://lookup.sg) · Data as of October 2026 · Listings compiled from Singapore government open data (data.gov.sg), OneMap and Overture Maps places. Free listings never show contact details; featured listings are labelled.