As parents scramble to make childcare arrangements in response to the suspended start of the school year, the B.C. government is telling parents they can register online to cover costs – a program that could cost B.C. taxpayers as much as $12 million a day.

For every B.C. student 12 years-old or younger, parents can apply to receive $40 for each day of school missed during the labour.

“It isn’t a substitute for education. It seems like a sideshow distraction to try and lessen the blow of screwed up negotiations with the teachers,” said one frustrated parent Robert Ford who had trouble even logging into the system to register.

Parents, primary caregivers, and legal guardians will need to register at bcparentinfo.ca and provide their child’s name, date of birth, school, and address.

No receipts are required -- parents will be free to spend the money however they wish, including giving the money back to teachers.

But there is one catch: payments will not go out until 30 days after the end to the labour dispute, so the upfront cost of childcare on Tuesday will be the responsibility of parents.

The government has hinted some cash could be sent out early if the strike drags on, but it is not clear when that will be.

"The cheques will be issued as soon as it is practical," said B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender.

The payments are non-taxable grants, so it will not affect income assistance payments, tax benefits or credits, or other childcare subsidies.

The grants come as two surveys on the measure show public opinion on the measure is low.

"For the most part, at this stage, British Columbians are fairly cynical about the $40 a day," said Shachi Kurl, Vice President of Angus Reid Global.

The company recently released poll that showed only 39 per cent of B.C. residents think the measure is genuinely helpful and 61 per cent believe the BC Liberal government is playing politics with the measure.

Another survey paid for by the BC Federation of Labour shows 76 per cent of B.C. residents – and 66 percent Liberal voters – think the money should go back into education rather than to parents.

Parents wishing to teach their kids at home can access the curriculum for their child on the B.C. government website .

But for parents like Robert Ford, "It feels like a PR stunt," he said hoping the teachers and government can get back to the bargaining table soon.

With files from CTV's Tom Popyk.