Each Merit School location has their own personality and distinct school design. Our facilities include freestanding and adjoined structures that are conveniently located in neighborhoods, shopping areas, and office buildings. Our aim is to provide a welcoming school environment for learning, exploration, and growth. We give top priority to the safety and security of each child.
Accreditation
We know that choosing an early care and education program for your child is a very important decision. The program you choose will lay the foundation of how your child grows, interacts and learns. It is our top priority to ensure that our centers meet the highest standards of quality childcare, that’s why The Merit School is 100% committed to the accreditation process. Most Merit Schools are accredited through Cognia or NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).
Accreditation Standards
These are the highest-level accreditation that institutions can achieve within the early learning arena. They highlight best practices for early childhood education of young children, including:
- Use of developmentally appropriate practices
- Focus on learning, growth, and development
- Focus on cognitive, emotional, social, creative, physical growth and development
- Relationships between young children, staff, and parents
- Preservation of the child’s dignity in care routines
- Health and safety in facilities, space, and activities
- Respect for self and others
Both Cognia and NAEYC are independent and nationally recognized programs. Both support educational programs that strive for excellence. The accreditation process evaluates each school on the following criteria:
- Administration
- Staff Development
- Working Environment
- Development Program
- Curriculum
- Outdoor & Indoor Environment
- Health & Safety
- Parent & Community Relations
Safety and Security
Every parent can leave their child knowing that we take extra precautions to provide a safe, clean and secure environment for their child. It is The Merit School’s NUMBER ONE priority. The Merit School has a set of safety and security protocols that we strictly enforce. Some of the highlights include:
Safety Measures Include:
- Secure doors and entrances with electronic access codes allow only authorized individuals to enter.
- Access Codes are changed often and are time sensitive, so even those with codes can only access the school during regular hours.
- Those without codes must be allowed in by a front desk employee and will be accompanied throughout the building.
- No child will be released to any unknown person without written authorization and proper identification.
- Schools are equipped with closed-circuit security cameras that are visible in a manager’s office.
- All employees are screened, fingerprinted, and undergo background checks.
- We have emergency preparedness plans in place for severe weather, fire, lockdown conditions or other disaster situations and an emergency evacuation plan is in place at each school.
- Monthly drills are held to ensure staff and children can calmly and quickly follow through with the procedures.
- We transport children in a fleet of specially designed buses approved by the Department of Transportation. Each driver must pass a defensive driving course and Motor Vehicle Record Check. Our vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained for safety.
Healthy Practices
All Merit Schools maintain strict health and safety cleaning codes:
- Caregivers and children are trained and encouraged to wash their hands effectively many times throughout the day.
- Parents and children are encouraged to:
- wash their hands when arriving and before leaving the school
- report illnesses to your director
- do not come to school if you are not feeling well
- Teachers undergo training procedures in diaper changing, health assessments, and food preparation.
- Sanitize surfaces and mouthed toys frequently throughout the day.
- All toys and other materials are disinfected on a scheduled basis.
Our Environments
Classrooms & Care Facilities
Our schools are equipped with large bright areas for groups and smaller age-specific classrooms for age-appropriate learning. Our innovative and creative playgrounds offer imaginative ways for children to play and explore. Home-cooked, hot meals are served family style to help children stay focused on learning.
Playgrounds
We take pride in our outdoor playgrounds which are designed with young children in mind.
Pools and Splashpads
During the summer, Merit School students look forward to spending time at our on-site private pools and splash areas. Each area is a creative space with resilient surfacing. We have trained lifeguards on duty. Teachers swim and play with the children in the pool and provide supervision while the children enjoy one of the best delights of our Summer Camp program.
Nutrition and Health
Health
- Each morning, a health assessment is made of every child.
- To prevent any diseases from spreading, we continue to monitor for symptoms during the day and notify parents when a child is too ill to stay at school.
Nutrition and Meals
Serving delicious and nutritious meals are an important part of our day!
- We serve a hot, homemade breakfast and lunch daily.
- The afternoon snack is served after naptime for our younger children.
- School-age children are served breakfast before school and a snack after school.
- A high nutritional standard is used for all the food prepared.
- Milk, fruits, sources of protein (meat, fish or cheese), and vegetables are components of each daily menu.
- Our meals and snacks meet the nutritional standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Care Food Program.
- Meals at The Merit School are served “family style” as servings are delivered to each table and children spoon out their individual portions, pour their own beverage and pass the food to each other.
- Children assist with setting the table and clearing the table at the end of the meal.
- Teachers sit and eat with the students and encourage table conversation.
- This style of dining teaches good manners, decision-making, and learning to serve others.
