This year, the Deer Valley Academy marked two decades of supporting working families while introducing the youngest members of the community to life in the mountains.
Deer Valley Academy, a small year-round preschool and child care center serving the resort’s employees and local families, is located at the base of the Deer Valley Resort, providing early childhood education for children from 2 months to 4 years old.
“It’s a huge part of what makes this special is our kids are not only getting that winter experience, but during the fall and in the spring, we’re just really immersing ourselves in nature,” said Cidney Judkins, the ski school senior manager who has overseen the academy for the past five years. “It just kind of brings the mountains a little bit closer because we’re right here immersed in it every day.”
The program follows the Park City School District calendar, typically beginning in late August and running through the end of May. That structure allows children to stay with the same teachers and classmates throughout the year, while also experiencing the peak season among visiting families and students from around the world.
“You have the same kids all year,” said Judkins. “You get to know them, see them grow and then also get to know the teachers and watch their successes and progress throughout the year.”
The academy’s classrooms open directly into an outdoor environment that functions as an extension of the learning space. During the winter, children spend time playing in the snow and exploring the mountain landscape. In warmer seasons, they hike trails, visit the duck pond and explore nature around the resort, identifying plants and animals around them.
“These early years are so imperative in their growth and in their development. To be able to bring them into this environment so early, I think, is going to really have a large impact on their lives, even as adults, not only skiing, but also just the mountains in general, and just being outside and engaging with their environment — it just really opens a lot of doors for them,” said Judkins.
Teachers design play- and project-based activities tailored to developmental milestones across age groups, from infants through preschoolers. The academy recently expanded its curriculum approach to emphasize developmental learning even for the youngest children. That means activities for infants may involve tracking eye movement or grasping objects, while older children focus on recognizing shapes, patterns and colors.
“Birth to 5, that brain development is huge,” Judkins said. “We really focus on those milestones and creating experiences where kids can practice those skills as they grow through the program.”
During the winter season, students ages 3 and older take weekly ski lessons led by Deer Valley ski instructors. 3 year olds participate in one-hour private lessons once a week, while 4 year olds ski in pairs for two-and-a-half-hour sessions. The structure mirrors Deer Valley’s ski school programs but allows instructors to work with the same children throughout the season.
“It’s not just a child that’s here on vacation for a few days,” Judkins said. “They ski with these kids all season long.”
Watching that progression from first turns to confident young skiers has become one of the highlights for staff, she said. For many families, the program also helps introduce children to the ski culture that defines Park City. Parents often return on weekends to ski together with other families, building on skills their children learned during the week.
The goal, she said, is not only academic preparation but also helping children develop confidence, curiosity and a connection to the outdoors.
“We’re building lifelong skiers,” Judkins said. “But more than that, we’re helping kids develop a positive relationship with the mountains and being outside.”
The academy was created partly to address a practical need within the resort community. Two decades ago, Deer Valley leaders recognized that classroom space used for winter and summer children’s programs sat vacant for much of the year. At the same time, families and employees struggled to find reliable child care.
“We had the space, and we knew there was a need,” Judkins said. “Child care in Park City can be really challenging with waitlists and lotteries. So it made sense to create something that could support the community and our employees.”
Today, the academy serves local families and Deer Valley staff. Many parents who work at the resort are able to drop their children off before heading to their shifts or offices nearby.
“It’s really convenient for employees to have their kids on property,” Judkins said. “They can drop them off and walk to work, and sometimes they’ll even see them out on a stroll or playing outside.”
The school keeps enrollment small, typically around 33 children across five classrooms, allowing for lower student-to-teacher ratios and individualized attention.
“That smaller size lets us really adapt to each child’s needs as they develop,” Judkins said.
And during the winter season, some classrooms also interact with Deer Valley’s visitor daycare program, where local children share space with families visiting from around the world.
A classroom that normally hosts eight academy students during the school week may expand to include visiting children with additional staff. That structure means local children spend their day alongside other kids from across the world experiencing Deer Valley for the first time.
“They get to meet new kids from all over,” Judkins said. “It’s a great benefit all around. You have the local community, our employees and visitors all intersecting in one place.”
As Deer Valley Academy marks its 20th anniversary, one educator embodies the program’s history. Preschool teacher Olga Woolley has been with the academy since its first day. Over two decades, she has taught hundreds of children and used her experience to continue to develop the school’s curriculum
“She’ll run into someone at the grocery store, and they’ll say, ‘You were my preschool teacher,’” Judkins said. “And now they’re bringing their own kids here. It’s amazing to see that kind of continuity. This community is really tight-knit, and the academy has been a part of so many families’ lives.”
Deer Valley Academy registration is open to the public starting on March 9. Interested families may reach out to Tracy Webb at [email protected] or visit the website for more information at deervalley.com/academy/home.