Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan
THE REFRESHED EARLY CHILDHOOD INDUSTRY DIGITAL PLAN (IDP 2.0)
The Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan (EC IDP) was developed by ECDA in partnership with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and sector partners1. Announced in March 2021, the IDP provided a structured framework supporting preschool operators' digital transformation with pre-approved and market-proven solutions. To facilitate adoption of these solutions, ECDA administers the Early Childhood Digitalisation Grant (ECDG) under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) Framework.
With emerging technologies like AI and evolving public expectations, ECDA embarked on a comprehensive review of IDP to ensure it remains relevant, such that operators optimise resources, enhance productivity, and enable educators to focus on nurturing children.
Following extensive engagement and co-creation with educators, parents, preschool operators, industry associations, tech vendors, NIEC and NTU, the refreshed Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan (IDP 2.0) was announced at the Committee of Supply in March 2026 with a new and comprehensive strategic approach designed to drive sector-wide transformation through 5 areas:
IDP 2.0 FOCUS AREAS
[REFRESHED] Early Childhood Digitalisation Grant for Pre-approved Digital Solutions
ECDA and IMDA jointly curate pre-approved digital solutions that are market-proven, cost-effective and supported by reliable vendors. This saves preschool operators’ time on searching for vendors while providing convenient access to reliable solutions, with funding support covering up to 50% of implementation costs. New AI-enabled solutions will be progressively pre-approved for sector’s adoption.
[NEW] Early Childhood Digitalisation Grant for Physical Solutions/Equipment
ECDA will expand grant support for preschool operators to purchase physical solutions and equipment that transform practices and streamline workflows. Solution categories will be progressively pre-approved, giving operators flexibility to select providers that meet established requirements.
[NEW] Baseline Technology Requirements for Operators
ECDA will establish Baseline Technology Requirements for preschools to adopt tools and systems that enhance operational efficiency. Funding support is available for eligible operators implementing these solutions.
[NEW] Innovation Seed Fund
ECDA will launch a new innovation seed fund to support operators in testing new concepts and developing prototypes for scalable innovations. The grant call is tentatively scheduled for the second half of 2026 - sign up here to receive notifications when applications open!
[NEW] Strengthened Partnerships
ECDA will progressively build a comprehensive support ecosystem for the sector through collaboration with academia, tech and industry partners such as the Association of Early Childhood & Training Services (ASSETS) and Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) (AECES). This will enable the sector to harness research insights and promote best practices for digital transformation. Look out for opportunities to participate in these collaborative initiatives!
1Association of Early Childhood and Training Services (ASSETS) and Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) (AECES)
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
The Early Childhood Digitalisation Grant is administered under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) Framework which is currently a supportable programme under SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) that provides a one-off $10,000 credit for eligible businesses to transform and upskill. Successful applicants for the ECDG may qualify for additional subsidies of up to 90% of out-of-pocket costs incurred with the adoption of ECDG-funded solutions under the SFEC scheme, subject to qualifying criteria found here.
In addition, operators may explore other funding schemes by partner agencies, subject to respective eligibility criteria, for more support in the following areas:
Digital Consultancy
SMEs requiring digital consultancy can reach out to SME Digital Tech Hub for expert advice in transforming their business using digital technologies.
NCSS members and MSF-funded SSAs may also apply for the Transformation Sustainability Scheme for consultancy support.
Digital Training
Operators looking to enhance staff capabilities alongside new technology implementations may refer to the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) course directory for applicable courses. Relevant courses to the IDP 2.0 solutions have also been mapped under each solution category on PSG.
Generic Off-the-Shelf Business Solutions
SMEs and NCSS members interested in adopting IMDA’s pre-approved generic solutions (e.g. accounting software, customer relationship management and more) may apply under the PSG or Transformation Sustainability Scheme, respectively.
Eligible charities and IPC operators may explore the Charities Capability Fund ICT Grant for separate funding support.