Government launched its new child care initiative yesterday, offering free services to families with an annual income of $70,000 or less.

The Department of Financial Assistance said it has already received more than 25 applications from interested parents and guardians.

Applications are still being accepted. The programme was first announced in this year's Throne Speech.

It pays registered caregivers $800 per child per month. Each caregiver is limited to three children. Payments are slated to begin in December.

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler estimated the initiative will help between 350 and 400 families.

"The Department of Financial Assistance will continue to give and receive applications between Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.," a spokesperson said.

"The first pay out to child care providers is targeted for December, where they will receive an arrears payment for November and a full payment for December at the beginning of the month."

The spokesperson said a little more than 150 applications were handed out during town hall meetings held in the last month to address concerns about the programme and how it would work.

Most of the concerns centre around the three-child limit imposed by the 1998 Children Act and monitored by the Department of Health.

Health officials argue that this limit is in accordance with international standards and is in place to ensure the safety and development of the child.

But caregivers argue the $2,400 a month maximum they stand to earn is not enough to live on.

And with $1.5 million budgeted for the programme this year, there was also confusion over how Government would meet the demands of 350 to 400 families the programme was devised for. Should they all apply, the initiative would cost the taxpayer approximately $3,840,000.

Financial Assistance Department director Dianna Taylor said the budgeted $1.5 million was for a five-month covering now through March 31, the end of the fiscal year.

Another meeting for child care givers will be held November 13, between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Goodwin C. Smith Hall in the New Testament Church of God in Hamilton, to try and address further concerns.