Infant Care Tour & Enrolment Checklist Singapore

Reviewed by Ms Wang
Centre Director, 13+ years of Singapore early childhood experience

Quick answer: During an infant care tour, ask how feeding, sleep, hygiene, supervision and daily updates work. Before enrolment, share your baby's current routine, allergies, medical needs, comfort methods, emergency contacts and authorised pickup details, then agree with the centre on what to bring and how the first week will be managed.

Before the Tour

• Bring your baby's current feeding and sleep routine.
• Note allergies, medical needs and comfort methods.
• Ask whether a place is available for the intended start month.
• Prepare questions about fees, subsidies, deposits and notice periods.

1. Caregiver Ratio and Supervision

Ask for the ratio used in the infant room and how breaks or staff absence are covered. MapleBear Jurong West operates one infant room, can receive up to eight infants, and follows a 1:3 caregiver-to-infant ratio.

2. Feeding and Milk Handling

• How are expressed breast milk and formula labelled and stored?
• Who records feeding amounts and times?
• How are bottles cleaned and separated?
• How are new foods and allergies handled?

3. Sleep Arrangements

Ask whether sleep follows individual needs, how sleeping infants are supervised and how the centre records naps. Explain your baby's usual settling cues so staff can discuss what is practical in the group-care setting.

4. Hygiene, Nappy Care and Illness

• Observe handwashing and changing areas.
• Ask how toys, cots and feeding equipment are cleaned.
• Ask when parents are contacted about fever, symptoms or accidents.
• Read the centre's illness and medication policies before enrolment.

5. Development and Daily Activities

Good infant care is not only supervision. Ask how educators use tummy time, sensory play, songs, books, movement and responsive conversation in ways suited to each baby's stage.

6. Parent Communication

Confirm what is reported each day, such as milk, meals, naps, nappy changes, mood and activities. Ask who parents should contact when routines change.

7. Settling In

Ask how the first days are arranged and whether a shorter transition is suitable. No centre can promise that every baby will settle immediately; a clear, responsive plan is more useful than a fixed claim.

8. Fees, Subsidies and Availability

Request the complete fee schedule and ask what is included. Eligible Singapore Citizen children enrolled in an ECDA-licensed infant care centre may receive subsidies; the centre assists with the application at enrolment. See our published fees and subsidy information.

After You Decide to Enrol

Ask the centre for its current registration and personal-item list rather than relying on a generic checklist. Parents should be ready to provide:

• Emergency contacts and authorised pickup details.
• Feeding, milk, sleep and comfort routines.
• Allergy, medication and medical information.
• Clearly labelled bottles, clothing and other items requested by the centre.
• The intended start date and any subsidy documents requested during registration.

Exact documents and items can change, so confirm the current requirements directly with admissions before the first day.

Planning the First Week

Before the start date, agree on the drop-off plan, who will receive your baby and how updates will be shared. Keep the centre informed if feeding, sleep, medication or health changes. Some babies adjust quickly and others need more time; the care team and family should review the baby's response instead of promising a fixed settling period.

Questions to Take With You

1. Who will care for my baby most often?
2. How do you follow individual feeding and sleep routines?
3. What happens if my baby refuses milk or cannot settle?
4. How are illness, medication and emergencies handled?
5. What updates will I receive every day?
6. What should we bring from home?
7. Is a place available for our intended start date?

Frequently Asked Questions

When can a baby start infant care in Singapore?

ECDA-licensed infant care serves babies from 2 to 18 months. MapleBear Jurong West's infant programme serves babies aged 2 to 17 months.

Should I bring my baby to the tour?

You may bring your baby. It can help you discuss practical feeding, sleep and settling needs with the centre, although availability and placement still require formal confirmation.