Yellowknife (Mar 15/06) - For those with children in Yellowknife, spring break can pose a problem when it comes to day care.

But the Centre for Northern Families has made it easier for parents.

Spring break programmer Ebony Maitland and Savannah Bulmer, 5, make maracas at the Centre for Northern Families. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

Beginning on March 6, parents have been dropping their children off at the spring break program at the centre, where they do crafts, play games, and go to the playground if the weather co-operates.

Children aged six months to seven years share meals prepared by five spring break programmers - and it's all free.

"It was first come, first serve," said family support programs director Sandra Bevington.

The goal of the program is to help stressed parents find affordable day care for two weeks. Bevington said finding child care providers in Yellowknife can be a problem.

"We had people calling weeks in advance, asking if we were offering a program this year," she said.

Spring break programmer and mom April Alexander agrees. "There are long waiting lists and most of the places are across town, which makes transportation difficult for low income families."

She is glad she came to work for the centre, as she has bonded with many of the children. The centre averages 23 children during the day.

Kids can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program is a joint effort with funding from the Side Door, Tree of Peace, the John Howard Society, and the Yellowknives Dene. The program ends Friday, coinciding with the end of spring break.