Social Policy in Family Life: The Case of Child Care in Singapore

Abstract

The impact of family policy on family life is discussed, & illustrated with the discussion of policies & data on child care in Singapore. It is shown that the friendly hand of the community is represented in the government's role as: the indirect provider of child care services, the watchdog of quality control, the consultant, & the broker who helps consumers find the right type of child care service to meet their needs. At the same time, the strict regulations on the hiring of foreign childminders, & the reluctance to modify labor legislation on working patterns, may be seen as negative to the family. As the pressure from working parents continues, it is possible to foresee further changes from negative to positive intervention in the near future. AA.