The PC education critic calls reports this week that some child care operators did not receive their operating grant payments on time “unacceptable.”

Earlier this week VOCM was contacted by one operator who indicated they would have to shut their doors because the quarterly grant was late.

Government says it is aware of some payments left owing.

Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says documents must be received on time in order to receive the payments, but government will work with daycares through the process.

Tory MHA Paul Dinn says he has received several calls from operators who say they do not have the resources to operate without the payment, and has also spoken with parents who are “astounded” that daycares are “expected to carry on as normal or increase their debt” in those cases.

Dinn says the current process is “flawed” and government must work to reduce red tape and speed up operating grant payments.

He has arranged a town hall meeting for people to discuss their concerns. It is happening this Wednesday at 7 pm. in the basement of the Topsail United church.