The Merit School of North Stafford

Merit School of North Stafford

Address:19 Soaring Eagle DriveStafford, VA, 22554

Ages: infant - 5 years

Hours: 6am - 6:30pm

Phone: (540) 426-1886

Email: northstafford@meritschools.com

COGNIA accredited Accredited by COGNIA
Merit School North Stafford Google Map placeholder

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

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The Merit School of North Stafford: Quick Reference

Features at This Facility

A developmentally appropriate curriculum
Age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds
Field trips
Secure keypad entry systems
Splashpad
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
Junior Kindergarten
Summer Camp

Schools Serviced

Before and After Care provided by:
Merit School of Stafford (540) 602-7296

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 off Garrisonville Road near Shelton Shop Road in Stafford. 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. Children love our spacious gym, outdoor playgrounds, and splashpad! We have also been recognized by Northern Virginia Magazine as a Best Day Care in 2024 via readers’ poll!

Northern Virginia Magazine Best Daycare 2024 logo - The Merit School recognized in Readers Poll

Childcare Assistance for Military Families

NACCRRA ChildCare Aware affiliated ChildCare Aware / NACCRRA

Merit School of North Stafford 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 North Stafford 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 North Stafford VA, check out our programs below!

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

Junior Kindergarten in Stafford, 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.

Summer Camp in Stafford, 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 North Stafford, 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

Krissy Fluharty


Krissy Fluharty

Assistant Director

Jennifer Fox


Jennifer Fox

District Director

Chantel Clayborn


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


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