
By Sara Beth Williams–
A preschool facility that operated for more than 50 years in Citrus Heights appears to have closed its doors.
Citrus Heights Preschool is located at 7555 Old Auburn Rd. No indication of when or why the facility closed is available on the preschool’s website or social media, and the preschool’s Facebook page shows little activity. A phone number listed on the website appears to have been disconnected.
On Wednesday, Sentinel staff visited the facility to find a vacant parking lot and empty playgrounds with various preschool play equipment still visible. No notifications were posted indicating when or why the facility has closed.
An adjoining facility with the address of 7569 Old Auburn Rd., which shares playground and grass space with the original preschool building, also appeared locked and abandoned with no posted notification regarding closure. Both buildings were purchased on the same date in 2012, according to the Sacramento County Assessor’s office. The preschool’s website indicates that in 1975, a second building was added to the site.
As mandated by law, the Department of Social Services evaluated the facility annually, but the report from 2023 was not immediately available. A Patricia Newton was listed as the director of the facility in a December 2022 report.
The Sentinel has reached out to former staff members for comment but has received no response.
On Wednesday, employees and management at Sylvan Corners Pet Hospital, located across the street, said they were unaware that the preschool had closed. Staff mentioned witnessing families dropping off kids at least two to three weeks ago.
Yelp reviews throughout the years noted concerns of a lack of staffing at the preschool, but reviews were scattered over many years. Only one review was posted in 2023, and no reviews were posted in 2024.
The preschool indicates on its website that the privately owned school originated in 1970 as a one-building preschool before adding a second building. The preschool included programs for infants, preschoolers, pre-kindergarten, and school-aged children and was open from 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to their website.
Got a news tip or want to share your thoughts about Citrus Heights Preschool? Click here to submit news tip or letter to the editor.
A preschool facility that operated for more than 50 years in Citrus Heights appears to have closed its doors...
Thanks for reading The Sentinel. You are either trying to access subscribers-only content or you have reached your limit of 4 free articles per 30 days. Click here to sign in or subscribe.