Newcastle Preschool Draper Utah

Company Information: The Newcastle Preschool in Draper, Utah is considered the Salt Lake area's most comprehensive pre-K experience. Established in 1984, Newcastle is a private, academic preschool in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. Newcastle is a regional preschool, with children attending annually from Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Highland, Alpine, West Jordan, Midvale, Salt Lake City and Cottonwood Heights. For a quarter of a century, the school has offered preschool courses for children ages 3-5. The school also features after-school computer reading reinforcement classes, summer camps, and Love and Logic adult parenting classes. Newcastle School, Inc. is a family-owned small business that is directed by its founder Kathleen Jensen. Over the years Newcastle Preschool has come to be considered by many to be one of the finest preschools in the Salt Lake Valley and has been named the Best in State Utah several times. Newcastle has a comprehensive curriculum that educates the whole child, not just one part. The school used developmentally appropriate practices as it educates 3-5 year olds. This balanced process requires a great deal of expertise, resources and hard work. The Newcastle preschool experience contains very deliberate doses of all the essential building blocks of Early Childhood Education. Newcastle has a time tested age-appropriate pre-kindergarten academic curriculum that includes pre-reading, social studies, math and science with a strong music, art and social development program. Newcastle also includes daily outdoor physical activity. The best way to learn about and appreciate the culture of the preschool is to drop in and visit on a regular school day. Visitors are always welcome. Newcastle is not a day-care center and does not offer extended child care services.

Hours of Operation: Monday 09:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Tuesday 09:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Wednesday 09:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Thursday 09:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Friday 09:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Saturday Closed, Sunday Closed

Categories: Preschools, Continuing Education, Private & Parochial Schools

1. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by Karen

   08/14/2008

   We love Newcastle! My oldest child was a student in the 4/5 class in 1998. He was/is a very bright, but "challenging" student. His teacher and Kathleen's patience and perserverence with him was remarkable. Kathleen's Love and Logic program and knowledgeable referals for additional help were the foundation that have allowed him to become the exceptional student he is today.
   
   Our daughter is currently enrolled in the 4/5 program and loves Newcastle. She blossomed in the care of Miss Lisa last year and felt so loved at school she can't wait to come back. Our little one will start next year.
   
   Newcastle teachers seem to connect with each individual child. The learning never stops, but the child never notices that they're being taught so much.

   Was this review helpful? 00 Report Abuse | Subscribe to Karen's reviews

   Comment on Review

   Post CommentCancel
2. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by Lisa B

   06/10/2008

   During my first exploratory visit last spring, I sensed immediately that Newcastle School was absolutely extraordinary! It was that same intuition that made me bypass numerous other preschools that I toured and countless other educators and/or directors whom I interviewed while shopping around for a nurturing, enriching, safe, and fun-filled environment for one of the most precious people in the world--my first-born, Kate.
   
   Before leaving that first tour and after conferring with my husband by cell phone, I immediately enrolled Kate because Newcastle exceeded our extensive criteria. Starting with their nurturing mission statement in their foyer, to the assurance that there was a mechanism in place to screen staff members during their hiring process, to their Love and Logic behavior management philosophy of instilling responsibility and respect, to their convenient drive-thru drop-off and pick-up procedures (my 3 year old twins and I stay in our car seats in all types of weather), to their organized, clean, indoor and outdoor facilities and happy climate that was evident in the beaming faces of students and teachers alike, to their openness of welcoming unscheduled parent participation and observation, to their Summer Fun Camp programs and Computer Classes, to their focus on art and music and play, to their low ratio of teachers-children in each class, I just felt that I could entrust Kate to their care; and, that confidence alone was a HUGE deal to me because she had never left my side. I guess you could say that I picked Newcastle School as much for me as I did for her.

   Was this review helpful? 00 Report Abuse | Subscribe to Lisa B's reviews

   Comment on Review

   Post CommentCancel
3. 
   User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

   by Jody N.

   03/18/2008

   When I was searching for a preschool with my first child (seven years ago) I chose Newcastle School. I went based on a referral from a friend. The warm reception I received told me this is where my children would go from day one. There was something very different about this school. I didn't need to test the waters when it came to my family; My children are too important. Through the years, my initial feelings have proved right.
   
   I have had many friends that have never had all of their kids go to just ONE preschool. When they ask me where my children have attended, my reply is always "Newcastle, for all of my kids” (Davin 10, Colin 8, Tori 6, Gracie 4). Friends always seemed genuinely very surprised. I never understood why they were so shocked a mom would be satisfied enough with one preschool to make it a family tradition, until I went to check out the other schools. My friends had far less satisfying preschool experiences at other places than I did at Newcastle.
   
   The most obvious issue about every other preschool to me was lack of organization. Newcastle has this mastered! From the drop off-pick up procedure to the curriculum in the classroom; Newcastle is such an organized and fun learning environment for the kids. I think the most important feature to me about Newcastle is the way they build self-confidence for my children, their system of allowing kids to make choices, and the very good teachers. For me, those things really set Newcastle apart from the others.
   
   Newcastle has been a preschool experience that each of my four very different children have loved. I have and will continue to refer anyone and everyone to Newcastle School.

   Was this review helpful? 40 Report Abuse | Subscribe to Jody N.'s reviews

   Comment on Review

   Post CommentCancel