The Newcastle School

Newcastle PreSchool has been wonderful for my kids. The learning programs at Newcastle don't even compare to my kids other daycare. They are always disappointed when I pick them up and they have to go to daycare afterwards. They attend one of the best daycares in the valley and still what they learn and the activities they bring home everyday from Newcastle are bar none the best compared to anywhere. I would highly recommend Newcastle Preschool to anyone since I have already told all my friends about them. The first few years of a child's life are the most important for development and these guys are spot on...Thanks Newcastle, Benjamin

Do not take your child to this school. The director/owner is rude to the parents and treats them like they are stupid when they ask questions or request more clear information. The teachers allow the students to be made fun of and/or to tease the other kids and it ruins the experience for the children especially when they are so young. I was excited when my son started there but as the 4 month time period wore on I was more and more dis-pleased.

During my first exploratory visit last spring, I sensed immediately that Newcastle School was absolutely extraordinary! It was that same intuition that propelled me to 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.

All of the teachers and administration at Newcastle Preschool are extremely nice and helpful. My daughter has grown tremendously through their Love & Logic theory of teaching. My daughter has also learned a plethora of scholastic themes that has been well researched and created in lesson plans specifically geared for the students. I am very pleased that they teach both Art, Music and have recess time. Children at the Preschool age thrive on schedules and Newcastle is superb on keeping the kids going from one center to the next. I have loved receiving my daughters classwork every day she has school. Overall, I could not be happier with the way Newcastle School is run; both in the classroom and administratively. Thank you Newcastle for enriching my daughter's life!

One thing I really enjoy about The Newcastle Preschool is their amazing art projects. From painting with pudding, marbles or bubble wrap to decorating with shaving cream or blowing colored bubbles on paper, my son returns home excited and proud of his creative and fun art projects that he was able to do himself. Learning fundamentals is important but I love the fact that, along with the basics, the staff at The Newcastle School celebrate creativity and encourage a child's imagination

I am always happy to tell anyone and everyone just how much I love The Newcastle Preschool in Draper,Utah. Both of my daughters have attended and I have been so pleased with all they have learned. The teachers love my kids as if they were their own. When my daughter Nicole started Kindergarten, she was so prepared; she had a wonderful transition into that learning environment. I don't know how to say thank you enough for all that my children have gained and learned. They are confident learners and look forward to all that school has to offer them.

We chose Newcastle Preschool immediately upon visiting and we have been delighted with the school. Our daughter's teacher truly cares about her and gives kind and loving feedback. During the days I have volunteered at the school, I've witnessed firsthand her patience and acceptance. The Love and Logic discipline system used at the school means I never hear a sharp or harsh word directed at any child. The teachers refer to the children respectfully as "friends". The curriculum is age appropriate and adjusted to meet the needs of each individual child. The outdoor play area is my favorite feature. The tree house, giant covered sand box and the slides are filled with happy, exuberant children. It is an ideal school playground. Finally, there is Miss Amber's music class. I've been amazed at the level of music teaching. It's much more than singing a few songs. Rhythm, beginning music terms and pitch are incorporated subtly and recurrently in her teaching. We plan to continue with the Newcastle preschool as long as our daughter can go.

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.

Newcastle Preschool in Draper was our first-choice preschool upon searching numerous peschool websites before heading to Utah for our preschool interviews and tours. Coming from a small Idaho community, this was an overwhelming decision to make as we headed to a much larger urban city.



We toured many preschools in Salt Lake County but didn't see that they were guided by early childhood development principles.



We reviewed pages of applications for all-academic, somewhat elitist feeling institutions but I wanted a preschool that believed in learning fun and creativity that was outside the "worksheets" thinking box.



We even visited a Salt Lake County preschool that impressed us initially with fancy building and classroom aesthetics until we learned further that they didn't have outdoor play time, and most of our discussion evolved around the building's looks, and take-home worksheets. This was a distinguished "Best In State" award recipient, and when I asked what that indicated the preschool had to accomplish to receive the award, I was disappointed with the overly simplified response: "A lot."



My frustrations in our Utah preschool search all ended at Newcastle's doors. The kids and adults alike in every classroom we observed were all truly engaged, stimulated and happy to be there. Not only were we impressed by the open rooms, creative learning centers, and large outdoor play area, but we were reassured and confident in the curriculum balance we had discovered at Newcastle.



We know our child is going to learn everything she needs to know to be prepared for kindergarten, but because of Newcastle's system of educating the "whole" child, she will learn more than just writing letters and numbers. She'll embrace learning new ideas beyond the grasp of a pencil on paper. Instead, she'll see more with imagination, creativity, adventure, risk-taking and perhaps the most important learning element that motivates children at this age forward: fun.

Each one of my four children have attended Newcastle Preschool from 2001-2008. I drive past many other preschools on my way to and from Newcastle.



Newcastle was the right choice for my children. Each child thrived in the structured environment which provided the right mix between academics and socialization. Each one of the teachers is well qualified and trained in early childhood education. Kathleen Jensen is a great director and gave us wonderful parenting advice. All four of our kids experienced some separation anxiety. Kathleen took the time to call us on the phone to suggest a plan on how to help the children adjust well to preschool. The teachers and staff at the school each were aware of the plan and worked together to help the children adjust to the new environment.



My kids loved all the art projects, playground, singing time, computer classes and especially Daddy Day. The teachers each made a big impact on each one of our children. We loved the pictures that the school sends home periodically of our kids participating in the activities at school. I love when I come and volunteer to help the children read, because the teachers and staff make me feel welcome and part of the school.



I am really sad that I have no more children who will be able to attend Newcastle and that my experience with the school is coming to a close.

My family and I absolutely LOVE Newcastle! I have had four of my children attend this school from 2000-2008 and each one of them would come home so excited because of how much they had learned or what they had painted or songs that they want to sing to me. I have twins that are attending right now and I decided to start them early because I knew what Newcastle provided. I personally talked to Kathleen, the director and owner about my concerns and she suggested starting them early and repeating 4/5 year old class. That was the BEST suggestion for them because it has given them a chance to mature and grow at their own levels. All my children have enjoyed the teachers! They are experienced and love each one of their students like their own. We especially like Ms. Dawn. She is the most kind, loving teacher and she truly loves teaching children! One of my children’s favorite activities are the singing programs that they have twice a year, they think they are the stars of the whole program! If you are honestly considering bringing your child to Newcastle School the search is over and you will enjoy every minute and growth of your child’s experiences!

Several years ago, I was a nanny for two young girls that went to the Newcastle Preschool. I was so impressed by the school that I told myself I would want to send my kids there someday. Several years later when it was time to send my first child off it was so much easier to know that the Newcastle School was there. I was so assured sending him there that he would have the best start possible and never worried that he would be taken care of. The school is amazing how it hasn't changed a bit over the years. It is still full of outstanding teachers that truly care about each child and do the best that they can to make sure each child gets the attention and learning that they need. I especially like how the preschool balances fun and learning, making the children feel at home while they are there. Mrs. Kathleen is exceptional. She is amazing and administers the school flawlessly, and is always there to help.



Both of my children have gone to Newcastle Preschool and I am excited to send my younger son when he is ready. The playground is my children’s favorite. Also my kids love the summer camps they love the cooking and playing on the playground. I would definitely recommend sending your kids to the camps before school starts it really helped my kids start preschool. Thank you to Mrs. Kathleen and Mr. Larry for helping my children learn with their individual needs. We are so thankful we can send our kids there

I was introduced to Newcastle School when I made the decision to start a Home Day Care. Two of my day care children attended Newcastle and my son just happened to be the same age. I immediately enrolled my own child in the 4-5 year old class and have not regretted it for a moment. My son is learning at a pace that is impressive even for a biased parent!



Prior to being a mommy I worked for the State Child and Adult Care Food Program. I personally got to visit and review many of our local preschools and day care centers, and in my opinion, Newcastle is the best the Salt Lake Valley has to offer.”