Daycare and Preschool in Manassas VA Old Town

Merit School of Old Town Manassas

Address:8757 Signal Hill RoadManassas, VA, 20110

Ages: 3 weeks - 12 years

Hours: 6:30am - 6pm

Phone: (703) 361-5113

Email: oldtown@meritschools.com

COGNIA accredited Accredited by COGNIA
Merit School Old Town Manassas Google Map placeholder

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

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The Merit School of Old Town Manassas: Quick Reference

Features at This Facility

A developmentally appropriate curriculum
A literacy-enriched learning environment
Age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds
Field trips
Hot, nutritious meals and snacks
Math, Art, Music, Foreign Language
Secure keypad entry systems
Transportation to and from area public schools
Winter, Spring, and Summer Camps

* 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
PREP – Preschool Readiness Enrichment
Youth Zone – Before and After School Care
Summer Camp

Schools Serviced

Baldwin Elementary
Bennett Elementary
Signal Hill 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 on Signal Hill Road, just minutes from the historic area of Manassas, Virginia. We are proud to be accredited by Cognia, the gold standard of early childhood education accreditation. Nutritious USDA-approved meals are included* at no extra cost. Transportation to and from area public schools (listed above) is also available.

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. Outside, our play areas are bordered by expansive lawns and child-planted gardens. Kids can ride a tricycle on our sports court, play a game of ball, climb on our two play spaces, dig in the sandbox, rock back and forth on the swings, or play tag on the play field.

Childcare Assistance for Military Families

NACCRRA ChildCare Aware affiliated ChildCare Aware / NACCRRA

Merit School of Old Town Manassas is proud to support our military families and partner with the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). NACCRRA’s program, Child Care Aware of America works with U.S. Military members to find and afford child care that suits their unique needs.

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

From infancy through preschool and into the crucial school-age years, The Merit School of Old Town Manassas 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 daycare in Old Town Manassas VA, check out our programs below!

Baby Steps: Infant Daycare in Manassas, 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 Manassas, 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 in Manassas, 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.

PREP - Preschool Readiness Enrichment in Manassas, VA

PREP Preschool Readiness Enrichment daycare childcare - children practicing writing letters on individual chalkboards

The Preschool Readiness Enrichment Program (PREP) is designed for three- and four-year-olds to develop essential language, math, and social skills. Using curricula like More Story Stretchers and Count On Math, children engage in group activities that build confidence and foundational knowledge. The program includes STEM learning and social-emotional development to prepare children for future educational experiences. Classrooms are structured to encourage exploration and creativity, with regular parent-teacher communication to track progress.

Youth Zone - Before and After School Care in Manassas, VA

Braemar kids-playground-Excellent - Youth Zone 600x600

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 Manassas, 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 Old Town Manassas, 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

Carey Michalowski


Carey Michalowski, AA/ECE
About Me

My name is Carey Michalowski, and I would like to introduce myself as your Director for the past 12 years.  I am originally from Erie, Pennsylvania and my family is spread out all over the East Coast.  My husband and I have been married for 20 years.  I met him after college on a summer trip to Virginia and never went back home!   My little family lives in Sumerduck, VA. We love being able to grow a garden, play with our son in the yard, and make a campfire at the end of a long week to relax. I attended Mercyhurst College and received my Associate in Early Childhood Education.  I have 22 years of experience working with children.  I have taught children age two to school age as a teacher, a School Age Care director and School Age Care field director. At the Merit School of Old Town, we are all there for each other, the kids and the parents, with the goal to have the best learning environment and campus.  I love handing the children their diplomas at Kindergarten graduation; it has been amazing.  It is also great to see happy families that genuinely become friends from the relationships made here. I enjoy the feeling of community we have as we have been in this community for 45 years and each family is part of our history. We have parents that attended and now send their children here.  

Assistant Director

Alethea Hunter


Alethea Hunter

District Director

Chantel Clayborn


Chantel Clayborn, BA/Organizational Mgmt; M.Ed.


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