Are you Fairfax County DSS compliant?

Yes. Carousel Child Development Center is fully licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services and operates in compliance with all Fairfax County childcare licensing standards — including staffing ratios, educator qualifications, health and safety requirements, and facility standards.

Do you have spots available for Fairfax toddlers?

We currently have 6 spots open in our toddler room for children ages 16 to 29 months. Due to our intentionally small 1:4 ratio, availability is limited. We encourage Fairfax families to schedule a tour as soon as possible.

What Fairfax County neighborhoods do you serve?

We serve families from Merrifield, Dunn Loring, Seven Corners, Baileys Crossroads, Annandale, Springfield, Lake Barcroft, Holmes Run, Burke, Burke Centre, and the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

What is your teacher-to-child ratio?

We maintain a 1:4 teacher-to-child ratio — one educator for every four toddlers. This exceeds Virginia's minimum licensing requirements.

Are meals included in tuition?

Yes. All meals and snacks are fully included in tuition — no separate food fees. Menus are shared weekly and dietary restrictions are accommodated.

What toddler curriculum do you follow?

Our curriculum is aligned with Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (VELDS) and covers six core areas every week: literacy and language, early math, sensory play, fine motor skills, gross motor and outdoor play, and themed art and craft projects — all designed specifically for the 16–29 month developmental stage.

Toddler Daycare Near Fairfax, VA — Ages 16–29 Months

Play-based, Virginia-licensed toddler care for children 16 to 29 months. Fairfax County DSS-compliant · 1:4 teacher ratio · Meals included · 6 spots available.

See the complete curriculum and program details on our Annandale toddler daycare page.

6 Spots Open

Enrolling Now

Looking for Toddler Daycare Near Fairfax?

If you’re searching for toddler daycare near Fairfax and want a center that meets Fairfax County’s licensing standards, maintains a low teacher-to-child ratio, and genuinely understands how 16–29 month olds grow and learn — you’re in the right place.

Carousel Child Development Center sits just minutes from Fairfax in Annandale, VA, and currently has 6 spots open in the toddler room for children ages 16 to 29 months. Our classroom is built specifically for this age group — not a one-size-fits-all childcare room, but a space designed around the developmental needs of toddlers: language explosion, big emotions, early independence, and learning through movement and play.

Fairfax families choose us because we combine warm, relationship-based care with a structured, licensed program that parents can trust.

Conveniently Located for Fairfax Families

Our center on Woodburn Road is easily accessible from across Fairfax County — most families arrive in under 15 minutes via Route 236, Gallows Road, or I-495.

Neighborhoods We Serve

Getting Here from Fairfax

Merrifield / Dunn Loring

South on Gallows Rd → Woodburn Rd

About 8 minutes

Baileys Crossroads

East on Columbia Pike → Woodburn Rd

About 7 minutes

Seven Corners

South via Leesburg Pike → Gallows Rd

About 10 minutes

Burke / Springfield

North on I-495 → Exit Gallows Rd

About 14 minutes

Falls Church (Fairfax side)

East on Route 236 → Gallows Rd

About 12 minutes

Licensed, Compliant, and Built for Fairfax County Standards

Fairfax County parents research carefully — and they should. Here’s exactly what our program meets and exceeds:

Virginia DSS Licensed

Our center holds an active Virginia DSS childcare license, renewed through regular on-site inspections.

Fairfax County DSS Compliant

We meet all Fairfax County DSS requirements for group size, square footage per child, staff qualifications, and health & safety protocols.

1:4 Teacher-to-Toddler Ratio

Virginia requires 1:4 for toddlers — we maintain it strictly. Small groups mean your child is seen, heard, and supported every hour of the day.

Licensed Educators

All lead teachers hold ECE credentials or degrees. Staff complete ongoing professional development aligned with Virginia’s standards.

Background Checks & CPR/First Aid

Every staff member passes a criminal background check before hire and maintains current CPR and First Aid certification.

ECPS-Aligned Curriculum

Our toddler program aligns with Virginia’s Early Childhood Programs Standards (ECPS), giving your child a foundation that supports kindergarten readiness.

A Day in the Toddler Room

Routine matters deeply for children ages 16–29 months. Our daily schedule is predictable enough to feel safe, and rich enough to keep little minds engaged.

6:45 – 8:30 AM

Arrival & free exploration — sensory bins, building, books

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Morning meeting — songs, greetings, simple group time

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Breakfast (included)

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Guided play centers — art, dramatic play, fine motor activities

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Outdoor time or movement activity

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Lunch (included)

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Nap / quiet rest time (cots provided)

2:00 – 2:30 PM

Snack (included) + transition activities

2:30 – 4:00 PM

Small group activities — language, music, sensory play

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Outdoor time or gross motor play

5:00 – 6:00 PM

Wind-down — books, puzzles, family pickup

How We Support Toddler Development

Children ages 16–29 months are in one of the most intensive learning windows of their lives. Language is exploding. Independence is emerging. Emotions are big. Our curriculum meets them exactly where they are.

Streamin3 Curriculum

Streamin3 is a research-backed early learning framework that integrates literacy, language, and social-emotional development into daily routines. For toddlers, this means intentional circle times, read-alouds, and vocabulary-building woven into everything — not taught in isolation.

HighReach Learning

HighReach provides a play-based, hands-on framework for toddlers. Every activity — whether it's sensory play, art, or outdoor time — is purposefully designed to build cognitive, physical, and social skills appropriate for 16–29 month olds.

Limited Availability

6 Spots Currently Open
— Ages 16 to 29 Months

Toddler spots fill quickly. If you have a child in this age range, we encourage you to schedule a tour soon.

Schedule a Free Tour Call Us: (703) 560-7676

Age Transitions & Timing

Toddler Program Age Accepts children from 16 months through 29 months

Graduation At 30 months (2.5 years), children graduate into our Preschool Program

Enrollment Timing Most families enroll 4–8 weeks before their child's start date

Tours Tours are free, relaxed, and take about 30–45 minutes

Questions from Fairfax Families

These are the questions we hear most from Fairfax County parents — answered honestly.

Is Carousel Child licensed by Fairfax County DSS?

Yes. We hold an active Virginia Department of Social Services childcare license and comply fully with Fairfax County DSS regulations. This includes group size limits, staff qualification requirements, health and safety protocols, and regular facility inspections. You can verify our license status directly through the Virginia DSS childcare search tool.

How far is the drive from Merrifield or Seven Corners?

Most families from Merrifield arrive in about 8 minutes via Gallows Road. From Seven Corners, expect around 10 minutes via Leesburg Pike to Gallows Road. We’re tucked off Woodburn Road in Annandale — easy access from the main Fairfax County corridors with no highway driving required for most families.

Do you follow Virginia's early childhood standards (ECPS)?

Yes. Our toddler program is aligned with Virginia’s Early Childhood Programs Standards (ECPS). This means our curriculum, assessment practices, learning environments, and staff development all reflect the standards Virginia sets for quality early childhood programs. For Fairfax County families who prioritize accountability and school readiness, this alignment matters.

What's the difference between your toddler and preschool programs?

The toddler program (16–29 months) is built around the specific developmental window of early toddlerhood — language emergence, sensory exploration, parallel play, and building trust with consistent caregivers. The preschool program (30 months and up) introduces more structured learning, peer collaboration, early literacy and numeracy concepts, and kindergarten readiness skills. Children transition between programs as they hit the age milestone, and we work with families to make that transition smooth.

My child isn't potty trained yet — is that okay?

Completely fine. Our toddler room is designed for children who are not yet potty trained. Teachers are experienced with diapering routines, and we welcome families who are beginning the potty training journey. We’re happy to coordinate with your approach at home. Children in the toddler program are not required to be potty trained before enrollment.

What if spots fill up before we're ready to enroll?

We maintain a waitlist for the toddler room. If you’re not quite ready to start but want to secure a spot for an upcoming date, reach out and we’ll add your child to the waitlist. A tour is the best first step — it lets you see the classroom, meet the teachers, and ask questions before you commit.

Are meals really included?

Yes — breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are included in tuition. We serve nutritious, age-appropriate meals and accommodate common dietary needs. You don’t need to pack food for your toddler.

What Families Are Saying

Ready to Find the Right Toddler Program Near Fairfax?

We'd love to show you the classroom, introduce you to the teachers, and answer every question you have — in person. Tours are free, relaxed, and typically 30–45 minutes.

6 spots available · Ages 16–29 months · Tours are free

Schedule a Free Tour (703) 560-7676 Email Us

Also serving families from toddler daycare near Falls Church, VA.