Welcome!
Welcome to Yosemite National Park Child Care Center! YNPCCC is a nonprofit childcare organization that operates facilities in Yosemite Valley and El Portal, CA. We strive to provide a fun and nurturing environment for our children. Our greatest goal is to offer a daycare experience that makes the children feel safe, engaged and happy.
While YNPCCC is governed by an elected board of directors, the true vision and heart of the organization is shaped by the families who walk through the doors each day. We rely on family participation to keep us fresh and engaged. We also rely on parents/guardians for assistance in fundraising and care of the facilities. Parental/guardian involvement is key in helping us achieve our goal of excellent care for Yosemite’s children.
While YNPCCC is governed by an elected board of directors, the true vision and heart of the organization is shaped by the families who walk through the doors each day. We rely on family participation to keep us fresh and engaged. We also rely on parents/guardians for assistance in fundraising and care of the facilities. Parental/guardian involvement is key in helping us achieve our goal of excellent care for Yosemite’s children.
Purpose
Our organization’s purpose, as stated in our by-laws, is to provide safe, organized child care facilities, educational programs, and activities for the children of those employees of Yosemite National Park and those employees who work for organizations affiliated with Yosemite National Park. Further, we promote, develop, and/or support other activities and resources that provide safe, educational, and healthy programs for children in Yosemite National Park and El Portal.
Philosophy
Our philosophy is to nurture each child to allow him/her to mature and develop at his/her own pace in all areas. This approach encourages social-emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. In all we do, we recognize we are helping families lay a strong foundation in each child’s life that will prepare him or her for the future.
MEET OUR TEAM
Assistant Director:
Melodie
Melodie is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful daughters plus their best friend Copper, a German shepherd heeler mix. In her spare time they love to camp, hike, and just enjoy being in the great outdoors. She comes to our center with over 10 years of childcare experience, has worked as a lead teacher for Kindercare Learning Center in Yukon,OK, was a TA for Edmond Christian Academy working with 1st and 2nd graders in Edmond ,OK, and taught preschool and Kindergarten for Kings Christian Academy in Atwater, CA. Most recently Melodie was the head of children’s ministry for my Church Holy Ground Ministry in Delhi, CA. She is honored to be a part of YNPCCC and to have the chance to watch all of our children grow and develop.
Melodie
Melodie is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful daughters plus their best friend Copper, a German shepherd heeler mix. In her spare time they love to camp, hike, and just enjoy being in the great outdoors. She comes to our center with over 10 years of childcare experience, has worked as a lead teacher for Kindercare Learning Center in Yukon,OK, was a TA for Edmond Christian Academy working with 1st and 2nd graders in Edmond ,OK, and taught preschool and Kindergarten for Kings Christian Academy in Atwater, CA. Most recently Melodie was the head of children’s ministry for my Church Holy Ground Ministry in Delhi, CA. She is honored to be a part of YNPCCC and to have the chance to watch all of our children grow and develop.
Yosemite Valley Teachers
Dawn
Dawn has been working at YNPCCC since 2021. She is a mother and grandmother, and treats all of our daycare children as her own. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Yosemite Valley, cooking, cleaning, and making memories with her family and daycare kids. She is a one of a kind and our very own Mary Poppins!
Dawn has been working at YNPCCC since 2021. She is a mother and grandmother, and treats all of our daycare children as her own. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Yosemite Valley, cooking, cleaning, and making memories with her family and daycare kids. She is a one of a kind and our very own Mary Poppins!
Brian
Brian is an avid climber and gold prospector. He studied Physics at the University of Connecticut, but the dirtbag path was calling. He came to the Valley in a converted blue school bus with his girlfriend and crag cat, Kitty Chicken. He has worked at the Lodge, Housekeeping Camp, and volunteered as a climbing steward, but YNPCCC is his favorite job in the Valley yet!
Autumn
My name is Autumn and I’m so happy to be a part of the YNPCCC team! I am originally from the Monterey Peninsula and have been coming to Yosemite every year since I was born. I’m currently studying early childhood education and my long term goal is to get my masters and work as a teacher in the Netherlands.
El Portal Teachers
Christina
Hello! My name is Christina. I have worked at YNPCCC since 2020.I truly love working with children. I have 3 beautiful children of my own. To be able to play such an important roll in each of their lives is an honor and a privilege. We learn so much from each other and every day I dedicate myself to helping make the daycare a fun and positive environment to learn and grow. I look forward to many more years to come!
Melanie
Melanie is a musician and theatre instructor from Southern California. She has a devoted love for nature and all things Earth. She hopes to be able to share that same awe with the kids at YNPCCC and encourage their attention toward the treasures that surround them.
Keegan
Hello! I'm Keegan, the Infant Teacher at the El Keegan started working at the El Portal center in October 2023 and has quickly gotten to know and love the kids there. She has been working with kids for almost a decade and loves to see the world through kids' imaginative and curious eyes. She spends her time outside of YNPCCC hiking, doing crafty things, climbing, backpacking, and watching Star Trek with her partner.
Hello! I'm Keegan, the Infant Teacher at the El Keegan started working at the El Portal center in October 2023 and has quickly gotten to know and love the kids there. She has been working with kids for almost a decade and loves to see the world through kids' imaginative and curious eyes. She spends her time outside of YNPCCC hiking, doing crafty things, climbing, backpacking, and watching Star Trek with her partner.