SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife Education District No. 1 will not offer another free pre-kindergarten program during summer break, citing a lack of interest from parents.

Last year was the first year the camp was offered to children turning five before December 31, 2010.

"There is not enough interest in the program to do it this year, only eight parents showed interest," said Ykl superintendent Metro Huculak.

Fifty-five children were enrolled in the summer camp last year. A survey of parents afterward found their level of satisfaction with the program to be "very satisfied." Yk1 offered the camp after reporting a $2.1 million operating surplus, of which $150,000 went to the pre-kindergarten program. The move angered other daycare operators in the city who complained they couldn't compete with the free day program.

Allan Shortt, chair of Yk1, said school trustees are aware of the concerns from daycare providers.

"The intent was never to continue the program," said Shortt. "There were concerns it would affect the daycare providers' livelihood."

Shortt went on to say, however, that the school district would have liked to continue offering the free pre-kindergarten camp.

"We would love to have it, but we have no funding from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment," he said.

Yk1 has yet to present its budget for 2011/12. Officials at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment could not be reached for comment at press time.

Katherine Watkins, director of Kids Corner Childcare, located on 118 Haener Drive, was relieved to hear the public school district won't be offering the program this year.

"We are rejoicing. They cut into some of our enrollment and registration last summer. It was unfair competition," said Watkins.

Last year, an official with the Yellowknife Daycare Association said it lost four children to the program, which prevented the association from hiring an additional daycare worker. But a worker there now says the association was unaffected by the program.

"We are doing fine, we were not hurt by it," said Carol Henderson.

Henderson said there is limited to no space available at the daycare for the summer months.

"We have one spot available at the moment for school-age children and no spots available for three to four-year-olds," said Henderson.

"We might be getting some notice in the beginning to middle of June about families vacationing, so some spots may come available at that time."

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