Living With Children:
Attraction, Parties, Adoption, Childbirth in Singapore
Expatriate Children
In Singapore living conditions for expatriates with children are excellent. Expat children will enjoy quite a number of activities usually not offered in other Asian countries.
This section helps you find activities for children in Singapore and links to services and shops targeting children's needs. Mothers-to-be may also visit the health section on maternity to find support groups.
There are quite a number of attractions with many attractive outdoor activities suitable for children in Singapore, which we have listed in our section tourism and travel. We strongly recommend you to view the respective web site on opening times and check out locations and facilities before your visit.
Singapore for Kids A Parent's Guide by Nikola Supka
Times Books International
The Singapore Party Book Armour Publishing
Programs on Family Life and Parent's Education
Ministry of Community Development
Tel: 1800 258 4771
Parent Link
Adoption/Birth
Register
Any resident in Singapore older than 25 years and 21 years older than the child to adopt can petition to the family court for adoption of a Singaporean child. The legal process takes between six months and a year and costs depend on the case.
We recommend to contact the groups below and tap their experience before you engage an adoption agency especially when you plan to adopt children from other countries in the region.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
Addresses
Singapore American Community Action Council The Adoptive Family Group
Tel: 6 733 9249
Ministry of Community Development,Youth and Sports (MCYS)
Adoption Service Hotline
Tel: 6355 6388 Email
Baby Rooms in Shopping
Malls
Info:
some are located in mail toilets also!
Shopping Mall
Location
Anchor Point
Alexandra Road
Centrepoint
Hugang Street
Center Point Shopping Centre
Orchard Road
Esplanade Mall
Espanade
Ngee Ann City/Takashimaya
Orchard Road
Northpoint Shopping Center
Yishun Avenue 2
Paragon Shopping Centre
Orchard Road
Plaza Singapura
Orchard Road
Raflles Place
Raffles Place
Robertson Walk
Merbau Road
Shaw House/Isetan
Orchard Road
Tanglin Mall
Tanglin Road
Tanglin Shopping Center
Tanglin Road
Wheelock Place
Orchard Road
Children/Students at Work
If your teenager is looking for a part-time job during the holidays you need to watch the laws under the Employment Act which rule a young persons/ employment. Kids must be at least 13 years old to qualify for employment. If classified as a child (which is below 15) industrial work is prohibited and only light work is permitted.
Children are generally not permitted to work between 11 pm and 6 am. Once the earning are over SGD 50 a month CPF contributions are to be paid. But there are exceptions such as if they work only during school holidays or for the remaining year shortly after their examinations.
The American Association offers a program placing foreign students of various nationalities into summer jobs. Applicants must be between 14 to 18 years old and willing to work for a minimum of four weeks during the summer holidays (June to August). The appropriate student is then matched to the job description you submit, and we then forward their name to the employer for an interview and hiring.
The following hotel restaurants offer play areas and special kids' prices during a brunch:
Info
The Vault in
Hotel Intercontinental
Oscar's Cafe & Terrace in
Conrad Centenial
Checkers Brasserie in
Hilton
Cafe Brio's in
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
Oasis Cafe
Great World City #03-09/10
Equinox in
Swissotel The Stamford
One-Ninety in
Four Seasons Hotel
Globetrotters Restaurant
#02-02 United Square
Tel:6356 5285
Giving Birth in
Singapore
Often the trailing partner of expatriates relocating to Singapore has given up a career and it may be the perfect time to start or expand a family. Generally expatriates in Singapore appreciate the inexpensive domestic help available. More often than in other countries female expatriates living in Singapore take up work or start a business even with young kids in tow.
The thought of giving birth away from your home country, family, friends and “traditional” support systems can be a bit scary. Luckily, there is possibly no better “home away from home” than Singapore to give birth to your new baby, and many expatriate mothers confess that they felt better taken care of during the birth process in Singapore than they would have in their home countries! Known as a regional medical hub in Asia, Singapore is safe and modern, and expatriate mothers-to-be have a wide choice of top doctors and both private and government hospitals to chose from.
Most expatriate families will take prenatal classes to prepare them for the birth of their new child. Many expatriate families will also employ a foreign domestic helper to help with the housekeeping and babysitting. After birth care is also exceptional in Singapore, with numerous resources and support systems available for expatriate families.
So often health care is well down on the list of ‘things to do’ when moving overseas. You probably make sure you have insurance, but you don’t worry too much about the health services you will need until you settle into your new destination. But maintaining well being is essential if you are to enjoy your new environment, and knowing where you can get help when you do need assistance will be one less thing to worry about.
Expats in Singapore recommend the services of our anchor partner Smilefocus - a dental clinic established in Singapore by the Australian dentist, Dr Marcus Cooney, over 15 years ago.
The
Girls Scout Guides Association (SGGA) 9 Bishan Street 14
Tel: 6 259 9391
The
Singapore Girl Guides Association (SGGA)
Giude House
420 Clemenceau Ave.
Tel: 6 235 3001/737 2155
Australian
Boy Scouts
c/o Australian /New Zealand Association (ANZA) #06-24 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Tel: 6 733 1215
Singapore
Scout Association (SSA)
1 Bishan St. 12
Tel: 6 259 2858
Boy
Scout of America Singapore American School
40 Woodlands St.41
Tel: 6 363 3403
National
Youth Council 113 Somerset Road
Tel: 6 734 4233
Girl
Scouts Overseas Singapore American School
40 Woodland St. 41
Tel: 6 336 3403
Boarding
School Group
For action planned for children visiting in the summer contact the British
Women Association
#08-08 Park Mall (MRT Dhoby Ghaut)
Tel. 6339 8229
Toys, children fashion, infant needs, costume rental see Shopping
Kids' Clubs
Addresses
The Girls Scout Guides Association (SGGA) 9 Bishan Street 14
Tel: 6 259 9391
The Singapore Girl Guides Association (SGGA)
Giude House
420 Clemenceau Ave.
Tel: 6 235 3001/737 2155
Australian Boy Scouts
c/o Australian /New Zealand Association (ANZA) #06-24 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Tel: 6 733 1215
Singapore Scout Association (SSA)
1 Bishan St. 12
Tel: 6 259 2858
Boy Scout of America Singapore American School
40 Woodlands St.41
Tel: 6 363 3403
National Youth Council 113 Somerset Road
Tel: 6 734 4233
Girl Scouts Overseas Singapore American School
40 Woodland St. 41
Tel: 6 336 3403
Boarding School Group
For action planned for children visiting in the summer contact the British Women Association
#08-08 Park Mall (MRT Dhoby Ghaut)
Tel. 6339 8229
Toys, children fashion, infant needs, costume rental see Shopping
Expatriate Children 
In Singapore living conditions for expatriates with children are excellent. Expat children will enjoy quite a number of activities usually not offered in other Asian countries. 
There are quite a number of attractions with many attractive outdoor activities suitable for children in Singapore, which we have listed in our section tourism and travel. We strongly recommend you to view the respective web site on opening times and check out locations and facilities before your visit.
Any resident in Singapore older than 25 years and 21 years older than the child to adopt can petition to the family court for adoption of a Singaporean child. The legal process takes between six months and a year and costs depend on the case.
