The Merit School of Arlington

Merit School of Arlington

Address:2201 North Pershing DriveArlington, VA 22201

Ages: 3 weeks through school age

Hours: 7am - 6:30pm

Phone: (540) 755-3703

Email: arlington@meritschools.com

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The Merit School of Arlington provides caring, quality daycare in Arlington VA. Established in 1980, The Merit School of Virginia has built a reputation for excellence in educational childcare. The Arlington County community trusts The Merit School of Arlington to offer children a safe, nurturing environment in which they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We have served hundreds of families in the Arlington area through the years, and we’d love to welcome your family into ours!

ON THIS PAGE:

My son has made such a behavior turn around. He has matured so much since being here for the short time he has been here. He absolutely loves it here. He asks to go everyday. He even races me to get to the door and is so happy. Thank you to all of the staff in the front- Shawna and Ebone - as well as all of the teachers. He just loves all of his teachers! Thank you all for everything you do with not just my little guy but all of the kids.

- R. Carter, parent at Merit School of Arlington

The Merit School of Arlington: Quick Reference

Features at This Facility

A developmentally appropriate curriculum
A literacy-enriched learning environment
Age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds
Art, Music, Foreign Language
Field trips
Hot, nutritious meals and snacks
Secure keypad entry systems

* Meals / snacks are not included for children with food allergies. This is the safest approach. Meal / snack exclusions do not affect tuition costs.

Programs Offered

Childcare

Baby Steps: Infant Daycare
Toddler Explorers: Toddler Daycare
Preschool Explorers
Junior Kindergarten
Montessori
Youth Zone – Before and After School Program
Summer Camp

Schools Serviced

Abington Elementary
Arlington Science Focus Elementary
Arlington Traditional
Escuela Key Elementary
Innovation Elementary
Long Branch Elementary

NOTE: The Schools Serviced are subject to change based on number of students enrolled from each public school.

Features of Our Clean, Secure, and Conveniently Located Facility

We are located directly across the street from Fort Myer, at the corner of Pershing Drive and Arlington Boulevard. The school is located on the ground floor of a five-story upscale apartment building surrounded by new retail stores, restaurants, and residential communities in a thriving, growing area of Arlington, Virginia. Nutritious USDA-approved meals are included* at no extra cost. Transportation to and from area public schools (listed above) is also available.

Our facility has tall windows that allow for natural lighting, and includes indoor and outdoor gardening options. Our colorful, well-lit classrooms are designed to inspire your child’s creativity. Our furniture and classroom storage solutions were chosen or custom-built with your child’s safety in mind. The classrooms are well-equipped with state-of-the-art furnishings, toys, books, and educational supplies. Kids love our age-appropriate playground, and it’s a great space for our summer camp programs too!

More Than Daycare: We Offer Safe and Caring Childcare, Preschool, Montessori, Before and After School Care, and More!

From infancy through preschool and into the crucial school-age years, The Merit School of Arlington is committed to fostering a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Our programs, curriculum, classrooms, play areas, toys, and learning materials cater to a variety of ages and developmental stages. We actualize our “Knowledge, Character, Achievement” motto by placing a strong emphasis on building character and instilling values such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. Students learn the importance of cooperation, empathy, and good citizenship through interactive activities and positive reinforcement. If you’re looking for preschool / daycare in Arlington VA, check out our programs below!

Baby Steps: Infant Daycare in Arlington, VA

Infant Care Baby Steps childcare and newborn daycare - baby crawling on colorful, soft mat

The Baby Steps program focuses on the growth and development of infants through nurturing and individualized care. It fosters language development and trust between infants and caregivers with activities like singing, reading, and playing. The program emphasizes real-time communication with parents and uses a literacy-rich curriculum to support infants' social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.

Toddler Explorers: Toddler Daycare in Arlington, VA

Toddler Explorers

Our Toddler Explorers program caters to children aged 16-24 months, providing a nurturing and safe environment. Individualized lesson plans, designed by early care professionals, support social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The program emphasizes daily communication with families, ensuring parents are informed about their child's activities and progress. Classrooms are thoughtfully arranged to create a home-like atmosphere, with age-appropriate materials and outdoor play spaces to encourage exploration and learning.

Preschool Explorers: Preschool in Arlington, VA

Preschool daycare childcare - smiling child sitting at table eating a peeled orange

The Preschool Explorers program provides a nurturing and creative environment for two and three-year-olds. Children engage in age-appropriate activities such as filling containers at the water table, stacking blocks, and working on puzzles in large, bright classrooms designed to stimulate exploration and learning. The program emphasizes individualized lesson plans, daily teacher-family communication, and the development of social, creative, and self-help skills. Teachers create structured yet flexible schedules that support each child's developmental needs.

Junior Kindergarten in Arlington, VA

Junior Kindergarten at The Merit School - child placing wooden letters into alphabet board

The Junior Kindergarten program is for four- and five-year-olds who miss the September cutoff for public or private school Kindergarten and who have completed a preschool program. It prepares them for kindergarten by focusing on literacy, math, science, and social studies. Children engage with stories, letters, sounds, and words to enhance literacy, while math concepts are taught through hands-on activities. The program also develops handwriting skills with creative materials and includes technology instruction. Social skills are fostered through interactive play and activities.

Montessori in Arlington, VA

Montessori girl learning with educational toys at The Merit School

Our Montessori program helps children aged three to five develop their full potential in a nurturing environment. It features self-paced learning with specialized materials, fostering independence, confidence, and a love for learning. The program includes sensory education, mathematics, cultural studies, creative arts, literacy skills, and practical life activities. It encourages parental involvement and prepares children for future academic success by promoting self-motivation, character development, and respect for all life.

Youth Zone - Before and After School Program in Arlington, VA

The Youth Zone is The Merit School's Before and After School Program - image shows school-age children on the playground at The Merit School of Braemar in Bristow

The Youth Zone provides before and after school care, offering a safe and supportive environment for children during the hours before and after their school day. The program ensures children can spend time with friends in a fun, friendly, and relaxing setting. Activities are designed to keep children engaged and entertained, promoting social interaction and relaxation. This service is ideal for working parents who need reliable care for their children outside of school hours.

Summer Camp in Arlington, VA

Summer Camp at The Merit School - kids having fun in swimming pool

Summer Camp at The Merit School makes it easy for parents to keep their routines by providing an exciting, safe, activity-driven place for their kids when school is out. Our summer camp program begins at the conclusion of the school year and continues through June, July, and August. Outdoor activities are a mainstay of the program, including swimming! We also have camps for winter and spring breaks!

Our Directors, Teachers, and Staff Are Dedicated and Well-Trained

Our team embraces the philosophy of learning in a loving environment by creating a nurturing environment where learning is fun and exciting! At The Merit School of Arlington, we are proud to employ a culturally diverse, highly trained, and caring staff. Our teachers and management engage our children in activities and experiences that propel them to grow and learn. These childcare professionals provide a “home away from home” for your child with stimulating social, emotional, and physical learning opportunities.

Director

Ebone Wilson, AA/Psychology, Director

Ebone Wilson, AA/Psychology
About Me

My name is Ebone Wilson, and I am honored to be the Center Director at The Merit School of Arlington, bringing with me over 25 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. I hold an Associate of Arts in Psychology from University of Arizona Global Campus, and throughout my career I have had the privilege of serving as a teacher, curriculum advocate, and Montessori educator. I am also a licensed foster parent and continue to work with youth programs within the community. Originally from Fort Washington, MD, I have always had a deep passion for supporting children and families. My journey into education began at a young age. While studying Early Childhood Education in high school, I was guided and encouraged to recognize my natural ability to engage young minds. One of my favorite parts of each day is greeting families and children during drop-off.  I make it my personal duty to remain available to families — to answer questions, address concerns, and continuously strengthen the bridge between home and school. As a leader, I set high standards for myself and my staff. We are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive, explore, and grow. The bar is always rising, and I am committed to reaching it every time to ensure excellence in care and education. I love to travel and learn about how others live and experience the world; and cherish spending time with family and friends. My spouse and I are blessed with four daughters, ranging in age from 14 months to 21 years, who continually inspire my work and deepen my understanding of the importance of strong, supportive learning environments. It is truly a pleasure to welcome you to our school community. I look forward to partnering with you and watching your children grow, learn, and flourish.

District Director

Shareese Ladd, MA/Early Childhood Education, BS/Psychology, District Director

Shareese Ladd, MA/Early Childhood Education, BS/Psychology
About Me

My name is Shareese Ladd, and I would like to introduce myself as the District Director for The Merit Schools of Arlington and Clarendon. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University and a Master’s degree from Capella University in Early Childhood Education. I have completed several developmental studies on adolescents from birth to age five. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York and I relocated to Northern Virginia with my family as an adolescent. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with my husband. Our goal is to travel to all 50 states. I have been in the childcare field for more than 18 years. My goal in the educational leadership of The Merit Schools is to maintain an open, strong and trusting work environment, with management and staff that are dedicated to upholding the honor and privilege of making an impact on the lives of small developing children. Working with people and children is something that I thoroughly enjoy doing, and I couldn’t imagine a career doing anything else. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family. Respectfully, Shareese Ladd

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