Baby newts are easy to catch if they are present. Just dip your net in and around weed beds, or better still underneath floating plants. You can also catch late stage larvae and Adult newts by sitting quietly by the pond and waiting for them to surface for air, just slip the net under them and you'll catch them on their way back down. Use the net to transfer them to your observation tub or whatever and try not to touch them directly. once you've finished remember to sterilise your net and containers before using them in a different pond, there are diseases that can live a long time on damp netting.
It is legal to catch Palmate and smooth newts in the UK, but it goes with out saying that if you see or catch any Crested newt adults or larvae leave the pond alone straight away. It is illegal to mess with T. cristatus or their pond in any way at all.
I used to love pond dipping when I was a kid, I think its not knowing what will be in the net when you pull it out the water each time.
Anyway, have fun, and don't forget to take pics! 8)
