Temporary childcare scheme benefits over 17,600 families with MOP524 million

Macau’s temporary childcare scheme has provided MOP524 million to more than 17,600 families since its launch last July, the government said.
Under the scheme, children born between 2025 and 2027 with permanent residency will receive MOP18,000 per year for up to three years to help families with child-rearing costs and boost birth rates.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai made clear in this year’s Policy Address that the government would continue to steadily implement and maintain the childcare allowance, alongare currently 55 nurseries across the city offering more than 7,600 childcare places, of which 37 subsidized nurseries provide more than 6,500 subsidized places.
The government allocates over MOP240 million annually in recurrent funding to these nurseries – a measure he said “effectively keeps monthly fees at a relatively low level, reducing the financial burden on parents.”
He added that some subsidized nurseries also offer a certain number of free places, and that this year the bureau launched a “Free Nursery for Children from Vulnerable Families” scheme, which, combined with existing resources, provides a total of more than 900 free full-day places.
Childcare services are now available in all districts, with 28 subsidized nurseries offering emergency or temporary childcare services.
The IAS chief further outlined plans to develop a formal childcare service evaluation framework, informed by practical experience gained from the current nursery service assessment system and operational handbooks, as part of ongoing efforts to raise the standard of childcare provision across Macau.