Newfoundland and Labrador’s wage grid for early childhood educators has been in effect for almost a week, but many child care operators say they don’t have the government funds yet to pay their staff.

Company owners, who were at the House of Assembly yesterday, are frustrated with the process because the money to be used for the grid is paid out to them quarterly. Today is payday for staff in many centres, and that new allotment of money has not yet been deposited. That leaves them wondering how they’re going to pay out the thousands owed to staff.

Adam Quilty, who has two daycare centres in Mount Pearl, says they were told that when the wage grid was rolled out on April 1 they’d be getting their money right away—thus far they have received nothing.

Quilty states it is putting them in a hard position as business owners. If they cannot get their funding very soon, some centres may have to close next week.