About Us

A Note from our Owner

Meet Miss Minda

I’m a lifelong Napa resident, proud mom of three, and grandma to three amazing grandchildren. My journey in early childhood education began right after high school when I enrolled in the Early Childhood Program at Napa Valley College. I’ve always had a passion for working with children—they bring joy, curiosity, and a little bit of magic to every day. There’s nothing better than being greeted with big smiles, hugs, and hearing the excitement in their voices as they come to school ready to learn.

I’ve been in the field for over 50 years, and I still love every moment of it. Watching children grow, make friends, and explore the world around them has been a true gift. It warms my heart when I hear a familiar voice say, “Miss Minda, is that you?”—sometimes decades later. It’s the BEST!

My career started at Little Friends Preschool in the late 1970s, followed by Learning Tree in the early ’80s. In 1984, my mom and I opened the original Yellow Brick Road Preschool on Spring Street, alongside Kerri Slevin, who still helps run that location today. In 1987, we opened our second location on First Street, where I’ve been ever since. After my mom retired in 2007, I took over full operations of both schools.

Although I’m no longer in the classroom every day, I’m still very involved—filling in when needed, supporting our amazing staff, and staying connected with the children and families. I’ve had the pleasure of building lasting relationships with generations of Napa families, and I’m so proud of the community we’ve created.

At Yellow Brick Road, our goal is to offer a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children feel at home. We focus on the basics, fun activities, field trips, and most importantly—building friendships that can last a lifetime.