Disgruntled child day care providers threatened to walk out of a meeting last night after the Department of Health failed to send a representative to address concerns over a new Government allowance.

The payments, which will be processed from next month, will see Government pay registered caregivers $800 per child each month. Excess fees will have to be met by parents.

The caregivers are upset that since they are limited to watching a maximum of three children by the Children Act 1998, their $2,400 monthly pay cheque will not be enough for them to live on.

The payments are being administered by the Department of Financial Assistance, with Director Dianna Taylor last night urging the care providers to fill in overdue forms in order to participate.

However, the controversial three-child policy comes under the Department of Health.

While it sent Chief Environmental Officer David Kendell to previous meetings with parents, Ms Taylor apologised that he was on vacation last night and an expected replacement failed to show up as expected. "I do not have a helmet or any protective gear, so I'm not accepting any rocks flying over!" she joked as she invited comments from approximately 50 caregivers in attendance.

The first lady to speak, who did not give her name, complained of the three-child limit: "It's not enough for us. We always had five babies and never got in trouble. They punish us for those that get in trouble with the law. It ain't right. Five babies is comfortable.

"What's going to happen is it's going to force the cost of care to rise. I'm trying hard not to put up my fees but we're just trying to survive comfortable."

Ms Taylor said the rationale behind the law is to ensure that the health and developmental needs of children are met. However, the caregivers indicated that Government has turned a blind eye to the maximum until recently.

A second lady, who also opted not to give her name, told her: "I'm sorry that you have to stand there and take this flak. Someone from the Health department should he here.

"It's disrespectful. What we should do is walk out. The man (Mr. Kendall) knew we were going to be here. He should be here to answer the questions."

She said she and other care providers were not going to take children under the Government scheme "because of the way we've been treated by the health department."

A third lady – also anonymous – added: "Many of us were here tonight because we were so sure we would be able to speak to someone from the health department.

"We thought we were doing the right thing (by registering) but they've done nothing but harass us. There are many day care providers out there that are not registered and I'm sorry that I registered. We love these children. We spend a lot of time with these children. How can they say we don't stimulate these children?"

Ms Taylor responded: ""Your complaints have been lodged and maybe they can have another forum, another opportunity for you to meet with them."