Delivery fees, pre-natal scans, baby gear, maternity clothing and hospital visits. These are just some of the many expenses our new parents are all too familiar with for the past 9 months. With the rising cost of living, coupled with multiple options and opinions on the market (like how a lightweight, foldable stroller is a ‘must-have’ for convenience, often at a price tag of a few hundred dollars), these costs can snowball into huge amounts quickly.
It is therefore a relief to know that Singaporean parents can receive over $18,000 in support simply by tapping into the right government schemes. From the Baby Bonus to healthcare subsidies and the Child Development Account (CDA), comprehensive support systems have been designed to help lighten the financial load of raising a child.
It comes as no surprise that with the sheer amount of varying schemes and subsidies available, parents struggle with fully maximising these benefits. CradleNest is here to walk you through key government initiatives that can provide valuable financial relief and help parents build a more secure future for their children.
The Baby Bonus Scheme
(*for Singapore Citizen children born on or after 18 February 2025)
An Overview
The Baby Bonus Scheme is made up of two key parts:
(1) The Baby Bonus Cash Gift (BBCG) and
(2) The Child Development Account (CDA).
The Baby Bonus Cash Gift (BBCG)
The BBCG for your first and second child will be $11,000. For your third and subsequent child, BBC will be $13,000.
Image 1: BBCG Receivable for Children of Various Birth Orders
The BBCG is disbursed once every six months over the first six-and-a-half years of a child's life. The timeline (for your first and second child receiving $11,000) is as follows:
Image 2: Timeline of Cash Gift Instalments by Made For Families Singapore
The BBCG will be paid into the Child Savings Account (CSA). CSA is a joint savings account, used as a default account for Government cash payments (including BBCG, education awards, and financial assistance). Your child’s CSA will be opened automatically when a CDA is opened for your child, which is in turn automatically opened upon successful enrolment into the Baby Bonus Scheme.
Image 3: Flow of Account Openings Under the Baby Bonus Scheme
Eligibility
Your child is eligible for the BBCG if
(1) He or she is a Singapore Citizen; and
(2) You are lawfully married to your spouse
For more details on your child's eligibility for the BBCG, visit go.gov.sg/bbeligibilitycheck.
The Child Development Account (CDA)
The CDA is a special co-savings account for your child, where the government provides dollar-for-dollar co-matching (up to a cap), depending on how much parents deposit.
The very first deposit is made by the government — The First Step Grant is automatically deposited into the CDA without you having to save first. From 18 February 2025, the CDA First Step Grant awards $5,000 for the first and second child, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent child born on or after 18 February 2025 will be automatically deposited when you open the CDA for your child at any of the following banks: DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB.
Subsequent savings deposited by parents into your child’s CDA will be co-matched by the Government, up to a cap.
Image 3: Child Development Account First Step Grant and Government co-matching contribution caps
The savings in the account can be used for
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Fees for registered childcare centres, kindergartens, special education schools and early intervention programmes
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Medical expenses at healthcare institutions such as hospitals and General Practitioner clinics
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Premiums for MediShield Life or MediSave-approved private integrated plans
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Assistive technology devices
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Eye-related products and services at optical shops
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Approved healthcare items at pharmacies
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Childminding fees under the Early Childhood Development Agency's (ECDA) Childminding Pilot
Visit the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Approved Institution webpage for the full list of organisations where the CDA savings can be used at.
You can save and use the funds in your child’s CDA anytime until 31 December of the year your child turns 12. The savings can be used for approved expenses, such as education and healthcare. If there’s money left in the CDA after your child turns 12, it will automatically be transferred to their Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA). For more information on the PSEA, visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/psea.
If you haven’t reached the CDA co-matching limit by then, you can continue saving into the PSEA and still receive the government matching, up until your child turns 18 or the matching cap is met — whichever comes first.
How to Apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme — A Summary
Step 1: Check your child’s eligibility
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Run a check on go.gov.sg/bbeligibilitycheck.
Step 2: Prepare the Essentials
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Both Parents’ NRIC numbers
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Bank account details
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Marriage certificate and
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Your baby’s birth certificate number (if available) or Estimated delivery date (for early applications)
Step 3: Visit https://www.life.gov.sg
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Register your child’s birth HERE (if you have not already done so)
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Register within 42 days of birth (You can apply as early as 8 weeks before the expected delivery date.)
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This costs $18
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Your child will be issued a digital birth certificate
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Apply for the Baby Bonus Scheme HERE
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Log in using your Singpass may be required.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
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Fill in the details of both parents and the child.
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Select a Child Development Account (CDA) bank: POSB/DBS, UOB, or OCBC.
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Review and submit your application form
By understanding how these schemes work and how to tap into them effectively, parents can unlock thousands of dollars in benefits and maximise the support available. It’s a practical first step in securing your child’s future and lightening the financial load along the way.
At CradleNest, we believe that what truly matters is enjoying every precious moment with your little one. That’s why we’ve built tools to help you:
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Understand government benefits
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Save smart with CDA and
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Plan ahead for your child’s education and health
Download the CradleNest app (available for download from 1 July 2025) — join a community of fellow parents and let us walk this journey with you.