Tuition Centre Owner Raises Manpower Concerns Over Expanded Childcare Leave

A mother of three and tuition centre owner has sparked discussion online after raising concerns about how Singapore's expanded childcare leave could affect small businesses.

In a TikTok video, Math Tutor May said she welcomed greater support for families, but was concerned about the impact on employers.

More than 80 per cent of her team are women, and she said her main concern was manpower when employees take childcare-related leave.

While the Government will fully reimburse employers for statutory child-related leave, up to reimbursement limits, May said this does not necessarily solve the problem of finding replacement staff.

For a tuition centre, tutors cannot always be easily substituted, especially when parents expect continuity and a certain standard of teaching.

She also pointed to other costs businesses bear, including recruitment, training, software, equipment and administrative expenses, while temporary manpower could mean additional costs.

May said she was particularly concerned that the changes could unintentionally make some employers more hesitant to hire parents for roles where absences are difficult to cover.

She suggested greater manpower support, including incentives for businesses to cross-train employees.

Under the latest changes, working parents with Singaporean children aged 12 and below will eventually receive 8 days of childcare leave for one child, 10 days for two children and 12 days for three or more children.

The Government will also fully bear the cost of statutory child-related leave, up to reimbursement limits.