Temasek Foundation First Step Programme
PAP Community Foundation (PCF) and Temasek Foundation have launched the Temasek Foundation First Step programme in 2021. This is a Child Development Account (CDA) top-up programme which will benefit approximately 8,500 PCF Sparkletots children over three years.
This new programme aims to provide financial support for lower-income families in order to reduce the barriers to preschool enrolment and support sustained enrolment. It is facilitated by Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT), an inter-agency taskforce led by the Ministry of Education and set up in 2018 to strengthen support for students from disadvantaged families. Over the course of the three years, Temasek Foundation will be contributing $3.38 million to fund the programme.
Eligibility
a) Child is a Singapore Citizen and aged 0 to 4 years old.
b) Child is an existing student enrolled in a PCF Sparkletots preschool.
c) Family’s gross monthly Household Income (HHI)^ is $4,500 and below, or Per Capita Income (PCI)^ is $1,125 and below
d) Child has existing KIFAS or ECDA Childcare & Infant Care Subsidy.
e) Child has an existing Child Development Account (CDA) jointly with the parent.
^ Before CPF deduction and include bonuses, commissions, overtime pay and allowances
Level of Subsidy
From June 2021, every eligible Infant Care to Nursery 2 child from lower-income families enrolled in PCF Sparkletots will receive a top-up of $200 per year for two years. With the Government’s dollar-for-dollar matching contributions for the top-ups, each child’s CDA will receive up to $800 in total.
^ The Government’s dollar-for-dollar matching contributions for the top-ups will be up to the child’s eligible contribution cap. The dollar-for-dollar matching caps are (i) 1st child – up to $3,000, (ii) 2nd child – up to $6,000 (an enhancement, applicable only for births on or after 1 Jan 2021), (iii) 3rd & 4th child – up to $9,000 each and (iv) 5th child and above – up to $15,000 each.
Uses of Funds
Parents can use the CDA to pay for approved products and services for the child or the child’s sibling(s) at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions. These include child care centres, kindergartens, special education schools, providers of early intervention programmes, providers of assistive technology devices, hospitals and clinics, pharmacies and optical shops. For instance, parents or guardians can use the CDA account to offset preschool fees and/or healthcare expenses for their children.
How to apply
No application is required. Eligible parents will automatically qualify from the programme from June 2021, and the top-up will be reflected in their CDA from July 2021.
For more information, please feel free to approach the centre administration staff.