When permits for childcare and authorised workers were first announced over the weekend, it seemed both parents had to be permitted workers for children to be allowed to attend early learning centres.

But a clarification late Sunday, and passed on to parents on Monday, that only one parent needed to be a permitted worker for children to access childcare and kindergarten bought relief to parents and operators alike.

It was still a frantic day for local childcare operators fielding queries from parents confused about eligibility and fees.

"The frustrating part is, as an approved provider and director, we get information at the same time as the families do," said Rachel Condon, director of Brady Bunch Early Learning Centres.

Ms Condon began receiving calls from stressed parents as soon as the regional lockdown was announced on Saturday - along with the harshest restrictions that regional Victoria has experienced so far.

While authorised worker permits and childcare restrictions were in place in Melbourne last year, they were not invoked in regional areas until they came in to effect at 11.59pm Monday.

"There was panic around can we come or can't we," she said. "We have parents facing working from home, remote schooling older children and trying to manage toddlers."

Premier Daniel Andrews apologised for any confusion around childcare eligibility.

"Professor (Brett) Sutton has signed orders that come into effect tonight that mean one parent in a household who is an authorised worker means you're eligible for childcare permit. I apologise if there was any sense or lack of clarity around that in the lead-up to what I've said."

Eureka Community Kindergarten Association chief Jo Guerts estimated only about 10 per cent of children would be attending their centres.

While most parents understood the eligibility requirements, she said there was still confusion around when children of authorised workers could attend.

"There's confusion with people who are authorised workers that on the days they are not working, some thought they could still bring their children to the service because they are authorised workers on other days but their rosters are written on the permit which show us the days they have to work and need us to provide care for children," she said.

Ms Guerts had also been working with families of vulnerable children, looking at each individual family's circumstances and providing letters for those approved to attend so they can provide proof of their eligibility if required.

"We have certainly fielded a lot of questions but have been able to answer the majority of them really well," she said.

The federal government yesterday announced extra targeted support for child care providers impacted by extended lockdowns, to the relief of local operators.

Child care services in Commonwealth-declared hotspots will be eligible for payments of 25 per cent of their pre-lockdown revenue, and outside school hours care (OSHC) services will be eligible for payments of 40 per cent, with regional Victorian centres becoming eligible after seven days of lockdown and payments backdated to Monday.

This is in addition to existing supports including gap fee waivers which allow the child care subsidy to continue even when children are not attending.

The gap fee waiver means those keeping their children home during lockdown won't pay out of pocket costs.

"We welcome any support we can get," Ms Guerts said. "And for those able to access the child care subsidy the waiving of gap fees is another really helpful thing because it's a very stressful time for all of them without the extra financial burden of paying when children are not able to attend."

Ms Condon also welcomed the Commonwealth support, saying it would also help secure staffing levels.

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"All our staff are full time, there's no casuals, because you can't get staff in Ballarat as it is so all these girls work full time and we don't want to have to send them home," she said.

Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) president Paul Mondo said the Commonwealth support would make the difference between staying afloat or closing for many service providers bearing the brunt of the latest lockdowns.

"This targeted support means that those early learning services, struggling the most from lockdowns can keep the lights on and still be there for families on the other side of this terrible pandemic," Mr Mondo said.

"We're extremely grateful for this rapid response to what is another emerging crisis for our sector."

More information on authorised workers and childcare access can be found here

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