Do preschool fees in Singapore include all costs?
Usually not. The headline monthly fee may not cover registration fees, deposits, uniforms, meals, excursions, enrichment, transport or holiday programmes, so compare the full annual cost of each centre rather than the monthly fee alone.
Usually not. A preschool's headline monthly fee is only part of what you pay. Our ranking of 10 preschool and kindergarten groups found that the total cost can include registration fees, deposits, uniforms, meals, excursions, enrichment, transport and holiday programme arrangements, so compare the full annual cost of each centre rather than the monthly fee alone. Fees and programmes can also differ between centres in the same group, so ask the specific campus you would use. Critical parent reviews quoted in our ranking, from Google listings checked on 18 October 2026, show why the small print matters: one parent paid a deposit and two months' fees upfront to secure a promotional rate, another forfeited a deposit on withdrawal, and a third described a billing problem resolved only after contacting several agencies. ECDA preschool subsidies are generally available only for Singapore citizen children, so many expat families pay the full fee.
| Cost item | What to ask the centre |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | How much is it, and is any part refundable? |
| Deposit | How much is it, and when is it refunded or forfeited? |
| Meals and uniforms | Are meals in the monthly fee, and how many uniform sets are required? |
| Enrichment and excursions | Which are compulsory and which are optional extras? |
| Transport | Is a school bus available for your address, and at what cost? |
| Holiday programmes | Is care during school holidays included or charged separately? |
What changes the answer
- Programme type: full-day childcare and half-day kindergarten are priced and structured differently.
- Your child's age: infant care, playgroup, nursery and kindergarten levels can carry different fees.
- Promotions: introductory rates may require upfront payments or a minimum stay.
- Optional programmes: bilingual, specialist or enrichment classes may be extra.
- The campus: two centres under one brand can differ in fees and inclusions.
What to check before you decide
- A written fee schedule listing every compulsory charge for the year.
- The withdrawal notice period and deposit refund terms.
- The centre's current ECDA licence status.
- How and when fees are reviewed, and how much notice you get of increases.