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Wondering about SLC-area preschools? KidsOutAndAbout's annual preschool program newsletter is where you start your search

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - 11:30am

Are you planning to have your children attend preschool in the fall? Or are you thinking about whether it's the best option for your family? Do you have a friend who is thinking about preschool for her kids? If any of these is true, this newsletter is for YOU! We provide not only options for where to start your search in our area, but also some tips for what to think about and what to look for as you start the process.
KidsOutAndAbout has a large list of preschools that have posted to our site; this list is linked from the green menu under RESOURCES / Schools & Preschools.

In this newsletter, first, we have some featured preschools with descriptions of their programs. Then, we've chosen to highlight a list of preschools separated by region. And last, we provide tips for helping you evaluate preschools when you visit, to see if they are right for you.

Remember: SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER and forward it around! If you or one of your friends is in the market for a preschool, it's a handy reference. 

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com

Grace Preschool, Start Your Child on the Road to Readiness

Grace Preschool sets children up for success. Grace offers a vibrant and nurturing Kindergarten-readiness preschool program. We aid in the development of early learning in math and literacy, fine motor skills, socialization and communication skills, and expression of creativity and curiosity. Grace's preschool curriculum includes beginning math and literacy, technology, art, music, fitness, teamwork, and respect. Integration of the Christian faith is throughout the curriculum. 

Schedule your tour or stop by the school. 
1815 E 9800 S, Sandy, UT 84092
801-572-3793
www.gracesandy.org

Ready-Set Grow!

It is our mission to provide a safe and clean learning environment so as to facilitate and instill in each child an increased social and emotional development through creative expression in art, music & drama. We believe that the way to run a preschool/childcare center is as a full partnership with the parents. We partner with them to create an awesome experience for Tomorrow's Heroes. We believe in transforming the environment of the childcare facility, to maximize each child's learning and growing experience and to help each child feel important and loved. Ready-Set-Grow admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other school administered programs.

Let Me Shine Christian Playschool and Preschool

Let Me Shine Christian Playschool and Preschool is an outreach ministry of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Let Me Shine provides a loving, nurturing Christian environment during your child’s preschool years.  Your child is safe and secure, cared for by our outstanding staff of qualified teachers and aides. We love to have parents join us for tours of our school and observation of the classrooms.

Your child will learn something new every day through hands-on experiences.  A child engrossed in play is developing initiative, curiosity and the joy of exploration. Each day includes free choice play in our creative learning centers, circle time, snack, art projects and outside play on our beautiful playground. Your child will also enjoy music class and chapel once a week.

Kool Kidz Preschool

Kool Kidz Preschool is an educational center with a focus on learning through experience. Our diverse curriculum educates by focusing on cognitive, emotional, social, creative and physical development. Kool Kidz will provide a safe and loving environment for children to explore and experience activities that are tailored to their individual interests, abilities and learning styles. Activities at the school are designed to help children experience success, which will build confidence and self-esteem. Students will learn through art, music, and creative centers to reach academic goals. Our centers focus on writing, fine motor skills, counting, recognizing numbers, colors, letters, and shapes to prepare students for kindergarten.

Leap'n Learners Preschool

At Leap'n Learners Preschool, we understand learning is meant to be fun. We adhere to age appropriate practices for preschoolers and include the basic building blocks for success.

We provide a rich environment of hands-on learning, carefully balanced between teacher and child-directed discovery. We offer a wide range of varied instructional strategies including multi-sensory learning and thematic units to incorporate individual learning styles. We encourage and allow children to discover, explore, and even get messy!

Teacher observation and child progress are communicated regularly to parents, helping them become an active partner in their child’s education.

Two locations available: Bountiful (801) 218-3241 or Centerville (801) 218-3242

Montessori Community School

The Montessori Community School enrolls students aged 18 months through 6th grade offering a uniquely authentic Montessori curriculum.

The Montessori method of teaching aims for the fullest possible development of the whole child, ultimately preparing him for life's many rich experiences.

Montessori Community School's mission is to provide a rich, individualized educational experience, which guides and nurtures the natural unfolding of the whole individual and inspires a lifetime love of learning and peace.

Newcastle Preschool

Newcastle is a top-rated preschool for children ages three to five who live in the Salt Lake Valley and northern Utah County. Established in 1984, Newcastle is a four-time Best of State Winner in Early Childhood Education in Utah. Newcastle’s carefully balanced and age-targeted curriculum is regarded as Salt Lake’s most comprehensive pre-K experience.

Newcastle Preschool has much to offer your child. If you’re interested in enrolling your son or daughter, or just getting a better feel for what our preschool is about, you can visit us during school hours at 12257 South 800 East in Draper. That way, you will see our methodology in action and come to truly appreciate the culture of this unique preschool.

Small World Child Care Center

Small World Preschool and Child Care Centers are designed to provide an education program that seeks to stimulate your child to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Each classroom provides a wide variety of experiences where children learn more about themselves and the world around them. Your child will learn and develop through music and creative movement, group play, sharing, community field trips, arts and crafts, science, values and self-awareness.

Small World Child Care centers are State Licensed and ALL staff members are first aid and CPR certified. We offer flexible part and full time care for children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12 years, a nutritional food program, preschool, private kindergarten with before and after school care with to and from school transportation. We also offer state assisted tuition, flexible tuition payment options and Extended Hours, to help cater to working parents!

Featured Preschools by Region

Salt Lake City
Montessori Community School (Salt Lake City)
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (Salt Lake City)
I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center (Salt Lake City)
Saint Sophia School (Salt Lake City)
The Winner School (Salt Lake City)
Rowland Hall-St. Mark's Beginning & Lower School (Salt Lake City)
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake: Sugar House Club (Salt Lake City)
Reid School (Salt Lake City)
Bright Horizons at U of U Research Park (Salt Lake City)
Learning Tree Schools (Salt Lake City)
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (Salt Lake City)
Christ Lutheran School (Salt Lake City)
Prince of Peace Lutheran School and Preschool (Salt Lake City)

North of Salt Lake City
ABC Great Beginnings (Clearfield)
Challenger School (Farmington)
Kool Kidz Preschool (Clinton)
Leap'n Learners Preschool (Bountiful)
Leap'n Learners Preschool (Centerville)

East of Salt Lake City
Creative Beginnings (Park City)
Challenger School (Holladay)

South of Salt Lake City
Challenger School  (West Jordan)
Challenger School (Sandy)
Challenger School (Traverse Mountain)
Montessori at Riverton (Riverton)
Grace Lutheran School (Sandy)
Academy West (West Jordan)
Kids Village (Orem)
Hilltop Christian School (Sandy)
Blessed Sacrament School (Sandy)
Gene Fullmer Fitness and Recreation Center (West Jordan)
Alta Canyon Sports Center (Sandy)
Newcastle Preschool (Draper)
Tender Touch Childcare(Midvale)
ABC Great Beginnings - Jordan Landing (West Jordan)
ABC Great Beginnings (Murray)
ABC Great Beginnings (South Jordan)
The Dancing Moose Montessori (South Jordan and West Valley City)
Lehi Arts Center (Lehi)

West of Salt Lake City
Magna Fitness and Recreation Center (Magna)
West Valley Family Fitness Center (West Valley)
Tender Touch Children's Learning Center (West Valley)
ABC Great Beginnings - Redwood Road  (West Valley)
Small World Child Care Center (West Valley)

What kind of preschool best suits your child? Those nice parenting articles always tell you to make sure you choose a preschool that best suits your child's personality--but then rarely provide any specifics on what will give you those clues. Children vary widely in their responses to different situations. Think about where your child falls on the following dimensions, and think about your own personal preferences for what a preschool experience should be like for your child. Then, when you visit preschools, ask the administrators (and observe yourself) about how well the school's philosophy matches your children's needs.

  • Playing and learning: Do these seem like separate times at the preschool, or are play and learning time integrated?
  • The setting: Is your goal to get your child used to a school setting, or is it important that the setting feel more like home?
  • Specific learning goals: Do you have academic milestones or religious needs that you would like met? Think about this before you set out, and refine your thoughts as you visit more schools.
  • Introverts and extroverts: If your child falls on one end of introvert-extrovert scale, it's important to realize this and see what would be expected of them at each preschool (especially important for the introverts).
  • Active play: Does the school provide resources for physically active play that match your child's needs?
  • Rest: Kids have different rhythms and requirements for rest. Think about what your child's specific needs are to ensure that they will be accommodated.
  • Structure: Some kids do better with lots of structure, while other families feel that they already have enough structure and prefer that a preschool ensure lots of time for unstructured play and interaction.
  • Discipline: What happens when kids misbehave at school? Does the school's philosophy match yours?
  • Safety: Safety is a big concern, especially in our area, especially this year. It's important to keep safety issues in perspective. Think carefully about your standards for keeping kids safe, and observe how the school meets your expectations.

If your child attends (or attended) a great preschool that is not currently on our big preschool list (the easiest way to find out is to search in the big search bar on the top of every KidsOutAndAbout page), please email me back and we'll contact them immediately to see if they'd like to be on this list!