Genius Childcare workers resign amid allegations the company is ...

Staff at a national childcare provider have resigned, accusing their employer Genius Childcare of delaying their pay and withholding superannuation.

The ongoing pay delays have compelled at least 15 educators to resign from a centre in Gowrie.

Genius operates more than 30 early childhood centres across the country, including five in the ACT.

"Every single fortnight, we don't know if we're getting paid," Alice*, an educator at the Gowrie centre, said.

"I don't think, at some of our centres, we've ever been paid on time."

In a statement, Genius Childcare acknowledged there had been a "payroll issue" caused by a "technical error which has now been resolved".

"While rare payroll timing issues have occurred since April, each was promptly addressed, and we are improving reliability," a Genius spokesperson said.

Nine Genius educators who have provided information to the ABC do not want to be identified because they fear the company will withhold the hundreds of hours of annual leave entitlements owed to departing staff, which they estimate to be more than $20,000.

Alice — not her real name — is one of the Genius Childcare staff speaking out. (ABC News: Joel Wilson)

The issue is affecting multiple centres.

Staff at other Genius locations around Canberra took stress leave on Monday, which forced the closure of a centre in Symonston and left services in Condor and Bonython short-staffed.

"All the staff are very stressed, they couldn't pay for their rent, they couldn't pay for their grocery shopping," Susan*, another educator, said.

"I am sorry for the families, we really want to open … but we are fighting for our rights, our basic rights."

A report has been lodged with Children's Education and Care Assurance (CECA), the ACT's childcare regulator.

"But I do believe Genius needs to be shut down and they need to stop affecting families, children and educators," Alice said.

In April, Genius Childcare acquired 31 childcare centres, including the five in the ACT, from another childcare company called G8 Education.

Since then, staff from at least four centres said their pay had been constantly delayed and that they had not been paid superannuation.

Genius Childcare operates 30 centres around Australia, five of which are in the ACT. (ABC News: Joel Wilson)

The ABC has seen several attempts by staff members to email, text, and call the provider for information over the last six months.

"I get left on read every single time I message them, emails don't get responded to, calls get ignored," Mary*, an educator at Gowrie, said.

"It takes them weeks to get back about the simplest things and there's been no communication from Genius.

"I have to ask my mum, 'Can I borrow some money for rent?' I have to ask my boyfriend 'Can you cover my side of the rent this week?'

"It puts that strain on those relationships and Genius doesn't see that — they don't care about us, we're just a dollar sign to them."

Genius Childcare worker Mary* says she often has to rely on her family members to help cover expenses. (ABC News: Joel Wilson)

In its statement, Genius said its growth had presented "challenges".

"As we continue to scale rapidly, some operational adjustments have been necessary," the spokesperson said.

"We are actively addressing these issues and implementing improved processes to ensure a smoother experience for both our staff and the families we serve.

"Affected staff have been notified, payments expedited, and safeguards implemented to prevent recurrence."

It also confirmed that superannuation and annual leave entitlements would be paid to staff.

"An audit is underway to ensure compliance and address any discrepancies immediately," the spokesperson said.

Parents at Genius in Gowrie have backed staff resignations, which will take effect on Friday December 6, even though it will leave many families with no choice but to find a new childcare centre.

"We were shocked and appalled really that this could be happening," parent Elizabeth Foster said.

"Why is this company getting away with this and how have they gotten away with this for so long, and why is it still going on?"

Some of Genius's centres may need to close when staff resignations take effect on Friday. (Supplied)

Six parents spoke to the ABC about the issue.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said she feared there would be no educators left to look after her children next week once educators had resigned.

"And am I going to be paying for something, for a service I'm not being provided? What am I going to be doing with my kids that day?" she said.

"I still have to go to work, I have to attend an office, and that's going to affect my job."

Ms Foster said her two sons were lucky to find a spot in a new childcare centre, but other families had not been as fortunate.

"There are 110 families looking around the same area, it's been pretty difficult, and pretty emotional … they [the educators] are my boys' second family."

Elizabeth Foster, whose children have been attending Genius Childcare, said she and other parents were shocked to learn of what staff had been going through. (ABC News)

*Names have been withheld to protect privacy.