Merit School of Doc Stone
Address:95 Dunn DriveStafford, VA, 22556
Ages: 3 weeks - 12 years
Hours: 6:30am - 6pm
Phone: (540) 873-7078
Email: docstone@meritschools.com
Accredited by COGNIA
The Merit School of Doc Stone provides caring, quality daycare in Stafford VA at Doc Stone. 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 Doc Stone 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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↓ Quick Reference↓ Facility Features↓ Programs↓ Team↓ Reviews
The Merit School of Doc Stone: Quick Reference
Features at This Facility
* 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
Schools Serviced
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 in the Doc Stone Commons shopping center, convenient to I-95 and at the center of Garrisonville Road. 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. Our state-of-the-art facility also boasts shaded, age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds and heated infant room floors.
Childcare Assistance for Military Families
ChildCare Aware / NACCRRA
Merit School of Doc Stone 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 Doc Stone 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.
Baby Steps: Infant Daycare in Stafford, VA
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
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
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.
Montessori in Stafford, VA
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 Care in Stafford, VA
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 Stafford, VA
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 Doc Stone, 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. If you’re looking for daycare in Stafford VA at Doc Stone, check out our programs below!
Director
Jaylene Siwallace, ECE
About Me
Assistant Director
Kirsten Goshen
District Director
Christine Mitchell, BS/Criminal Justice
About Me
Christine Mitchell is the District Director for District 2, serving Stafford and Fredericksburg, VA
The Merit School of Doc Stone Reviews
What Parents Are Saying About Us
Merit School of Doc Stone is an outstanding school. There is not enough room to write all the excellent things about this facility and the childcare professionals who work here. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars. The childcare professionals at Doc Stone allow me to go to work each day knowing that my children are in qualified, capable and caring hands. I am so thankful for the positive impact that the teachers and staff are making on my children's daily life and future. Keep up the hard work Doc Stone, you are the best in Stafford!!!
- Mindy S., parent at Merit of Doc Stone
We would like to thank you for the excellent educational, mental, and physical care provided to our son by all the staff members and teachers at The Merit School of Doc Stone. We are extremely satisfied by his educational and behavioral preparedness level which will allow him to embark on Kindergarten journey with great ease. On that note, we would like to underscore our special gratitude to the teachers.
- The Leigh Family, Merit School of Doc Stone parents