Parents of children in Government schools are becoming frustrated with the teachers' strike, because they risk losing time at work - without pay.

One mother, who did not wish not to be named, told The Royal Gazette that she is almost at her wit's end with the educators.

"I can understand that they have to stand up for what they believe in, but what about the parents? " she asked. "We need to know what's going on."

And the Pembroke woman said she felt teachers needed to come clean with what their grievances really are.

"In addition to money, I've been hearing that they are frustrated with children's behaviour. If that's the case, tell us so that we can do out part to help."

The mother of two said she was lucky that she was able to leave her daughter, who attends St. John's Pre-school, with a family member, while she worked.

"Thank God I can leave her with a relative because I don't have any vacation or sick time on my job. I would have lost the bulk of my wages this week," she said. But she also vented her anger with the decision the teachers have taken.

"I'm just irritated because she shouldn't be affected by this so early in her education. This is her first time in a big school and she shouldn't have to deal with this."

And although school is out, the mother said she is doing her best to ensure that her daughter does not lose her zest for learning.

"I'm still giving her school work to do at home so that she remains up to par."

Which is the same thing that a woman who would only identify herself as Ms Smith, has been doing for the past three days.

Her five-year-old daughter, who has just started primary school, has been accompanying her to work since the strike action, has been practising writing and reading her books.

"She's been asking everyone to write words for her to copy. She hasn't worried much with the television and she doesn't seem too bothered not to go school, although she said she misses being there," Ms Smith said. The single parent was grateful that her boss was not an unreasonable man.

"He knows that I don't have any other alternative," she said.

But she said teachers needed to take a long, hard look at the message they were sending out to their students.

"Some are saying that they are willing to break the law to get what they want, yet they tell their students they must follow rules. Seems hypocritical to me."

And she added that the actions of the teachers could further turn people off from enrolling their children in public school: "Some people have already said that they think the public system is worthless.

"By teachers doing this, they are not affording students to receive their education and this is only going to put them further behind. Bermuda's children are getting a double whammy."

Meanwhile, nursery schools said they had not been inundated with calls from parents looking for emergency child care services. But two facilities said they had each taken in extra charges for the week.

"We have received five children," said an employee of the Full Amour Christian Academy.

"I've had several," said Pauletta Furbert, the director of Happy Moments Nursery and Pre-school. "It's been a pleasure to accommodate them. We are doing our best to help parents because they have to get on with their schedules."