How Much Does a School Shadow Aide Cost in Singapore?

If your child's preschool or school has suggested a shadow aide, one of your first questions is probably about cost. Shadow support is usually needed for several hours a week, often over months, so the numbers add up quickly. Prices also vary widely between providers, which can make it hard to know what is reasonable. Here is a plain guide to what parents in Singapore typically pay, and what you are paying for.

What Does a Shadow Aide Do?

A shadow aide, also called a shadow teacher or school shadow, sits alongside your child in class and around school. They help your child follow routines, stay engaged with lessons, manage transitions, communicate with peers and cope when things feel overwhelming. A good shadow supports learning without doing the work for the child.

If you are new to the idea, our post on what school shadowing is and how it helps explains the role in more depth.

Typical Hourly Rates

Based on rates published by Singapore providers in 2026, shadow support generally costs:

• About S$45 to S$90 per hour for most providers, with many families paying around S$55 to S$75

• S$80 to S$120 or more per hour for shadows led or closely supervised by a senior therapist or behaviour analyst

• An extra S$10 to S$20 per hour at some international schools

Many providers also set a minimum, such as 2 or 3 hours per visit, and some charge transport separately.

Fees are indicative, based on publicly listed rates at the time of writing, and change over time. Always confirm current fees directly with providers.

What This Looks Like Per Month

Monthly cost depends mostly on hours. As a rough guide, at around S$60 per hour:

• 3 hours a day, 3 days a week: roughly S$2,000 to S$2,500 a month

• 4 hours a day, 5 days a week: roughly S$5,000 to S$5,500 a month

Full-day support in a long preschool day can go higher. It helps to ask whether your child needs the whole day covered, or only the harder parts, such as arrival, group time or play.

What Affects the Price?

• Qualifications and supervision: a trained therapist with clinical oversight costs more than a less experienced aide.

• Hours and commitment: more hours or a term package can lower the hourly rate.

• Type of school: international schools may cost more.

• Your child's needs: children with significant behaviour or communication needs may need a more experienced shadow.

• What is included: data collection, teacher meetings, parent updates and a fading plan all add value.

Private shadow support is generally paid for by families. Check with your provider and your child's school what, if any, support is available. Our post on early intervention funding in Singapore explains the main schemes.

How to Choose a Shadow

Price matters, but fit matters more. Ask providers:

• What training does the shadow have, and who supervises them?

• How do you set goals, and how will I hear about progress?

• How will you work with my child's teachers?

• What is your plan for reducing support over time?

A cheaper shadow who simply sits beside your child may cost more in the long run than one who actively builds independence.

Fading: The Goal Is Less Support

Good shadowing is designed to end. As your child gains skills, the shadow gradually steps back: sitting further away, prompting less, and leaving for parts of the day. Hours are reduced in stages, so your costs should come down too.

Ask any provider how they plan and measure fading. Skills like attention and sitting tolerance are often worked on at home as well, which can speed this up.

Is a Shadow the Right Choice?

A shadow is one option, not the only one. Some children do well with home-based therapy plus school visits, while others may thrive in a different school setting. Our guide to mainstream, SPED or both and our post on what early intervention costs in Singapore can help you weigh the bigger picture.

At ABA LABS, we see school shadowing as a bridge to independence, built on clear goals and close work with parents and caregivers. If you'd like to talk through whether shadow support suits your child, book a consultation.