Working parents hit by inflation with higher childcare costs

SingStat reveals higher fees at commercial institutions, playgroups and childcare centres were responsible for the increase of 2.2 percent in the education & stationery index.

Overall, higher costs of transport, food and education & stationery pushed the consumer price index 1 percent higher in February compared with the same period in 2009.

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, "Cost of transport advanced by 7.6 percent as a result of higher prices of cars and petrol. Food prices crept up by 1.2 percent following dearer prepared meals and fresh seafood."

Excluding accommodation costs, the consumer price index rose by 1.9 percent in February compared with the previous year.