Examining the student care industry in Singapore : the state’s policies and support for the family’s care-giving responsibilities for children aged 7 to 12

Abstract

This study examines the role of the state in supporting the family’s care-giving responsibilities for children aged 7 to 12 years. To this end, a case study was done on middle-income working parents who utilised student care services, or paid day-care services, to care for their school-going children. Through this case study, information was gathered in three areas: (i) how working parents managed their childcare arrangements, (ii) the role of student care services in supporting working parents on their childcare arrangements, and (iii) the influence of the state’s policies for the student care industry on the care-giving arrangements of these parents. Ochiai’s (2009: 69) Care Diamond Framework is employed to interpret and analyse the findings of this study. Through its findings, this study argues that government policies on the student care industry bear implications on the challenges faced by working parents in balancing both their family and workplace commitments.