The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton is being urged to rethink proposals to make employers responsible for the first four week's of an employee's sick leave.
The call comes after a new survey by Early Childhood Ireland revealed that more than half of the country's pre-schools and creches would be forced to close if the plans get the green light.
The group represents more than 3,000 childcare professionals.
CEO Irene Gunning said the added pressure of paying employees who are out sick and paying their replacement, would be too much for employers who are already struggling to make ends meet.
"The sick pay would be like the final straw," she said. "I would really ask (the Government) to reconsider that."