About Us
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Legacy
Walnut Grove Academy (“WGA”) is a family-owned daycare and pre-school operated by Melody Sanders and Amber Johnson. WGA was previously owned and operated by former teachers, David and Linda Gentry, as “Walnut Grove Childcare”—Midlothian’s oldest family-owned daycare. The Gentrys, along with their four daughters, ran Walnut Grove Childcare for more than three decades. WGA is located on two acres next to the Gentry’s family home. WGA’s goal is to build upon the wonderful legacy of Linda Gentry, whose love and passion for this community’s children still live in the walls of the facility that her family built.
Experience
Melody and Amber founded WGA in Summer 2024 to pursue their passion in child development and education. WGA’s mission is to build the best daycare and pre-school in the area and to provide a place where parents know their children are safe and happy. WGA’s purpose is to foster the social development, health, emotional well-being, and education of all children in our care.
A mother of five, Melody is the director/co-owner of WGA. The former director of her family’s church daycare, Melody has spent more than two decades in the childcare industry and has a deep understanding of the developmental needs of young children.
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Expertise
Amber, CEO/co-owner and mother of three, is a former teacher and instructional coach with over 20 years of experience as an educator. She has a master’s degree in curriculum instruction and is a former assistant principal of a local elementary. Amber oversees curriculum, operations, and teacher development at the helm of WGA. At WGA, we believe that reading is the essential foundation to future academic success and are dedicated to ensuring that WGA’s children exceed expectations in reading when entering elementary school.