Raised both of our boys from infancy. Both of our children had positive experiences with both friends and staff. There are several staff who have been at Carousel for 10+ years, a few who have been there for over 20 years. Others have mentioned the lack of cosmetic updates to the facilities, however, ownership changed hands a year or two ago, and steady improvements to the facilities (new bathrooms, fresh paint) and technology (parent app, door camera and entry system) have been made since. At the end of the day, our children have thrived here, our oldest is doing well in elementary AAP classes and the youngest is nearing the end of his final year. We couldn't have been happier with the way things have gone, especially given the lower price than other nearby facilities, such as bright horizons in the inova complex. 10 years after nervously dropping off our first infant, barely 90 days old, we'd do it all over with Carousel. A deep thank you to all of the staff who work tirelessly so that our children get needed attention and care while we are off pursuing our careers. Kudos to you all. read more

My son has been going here for 6 months now and I couldn't be happier. My son loves his teachers and the teachers are so caring! This was his first daycare center experience and I was really worried that he would not like it but he loves going everyday! We have been very fortunate and blessed to have found Carousel! read more

Amazing school! My daughter loves the school and the director is great. Love that the classrooms have huge windows and open to the classrooms. read more

Our child was in Carousel for 2+ years through multiple classrooms and had a great experience. The preschool has teachers who have been there for many years. When combined with some of the other parents being former Carousel students, it speaks to their commitment to the community and the children. Our child felt really loved by the teachers and developed some great friendships in school. We had considered other preschools (country day, montessori), but Carousel has a good teaching staff and responsive administration that gave us great confidence. read more

We were there for a year - it was very convenient, but decided to look around and found nicer facilities/ more robust teaching philosophy elsewhere for similar cost. Many families that attend have multiple children enrolled, so they certainly have many satisfied parents, but in the end, I didn't feel great about sending my kids here. Childcare is such a tough decision as a parent - writing this review to help others wrangling with this option. PROS: The administrators and many of the lead teachers have been there for DECADES, long hours and stays open for most snow days, reasonable rates, very convenient if you live in the neighborhood, on-site kitchen, large playground backing to trees, special activities throughout the year (especially for holidays + summertime). CONS: they have been open 30+ years and it seems few updates to the interior, furniture, or toys have been made in that time. Some of the teachers were great and very loving, but others seemed completely disinterested in the children and barely smiled at me when I would come to pickup in the evening. After a torrential downpour one afternoon, the infant room (which is effectively in a basement with no windows) was flooded with several inches of water and no apparent remediation was done other than to carry the water out with buckets- normal operations resumed the next day. There is no separate sleeping area for the infants - just one big windowless room. read more

My daughter has been going to this childcare center since August of 2013. She's currently in pre-Kindergarten. The center is connected to a Catholic Church. Many centers rent from churches whose classrooms would otherwise be empty during the week. The center has been in operation for over 20 years. The two ladies in the office know their stuff. The office is well-run and efficient. Not only are they experienced, they are also very kind. When my husband was laid-off during the gov't shut-down, they were very understanding. This is not a chain like "Bright Horizons" and "Kindercare" but - having gone to those places - the experience for your child will be the same. The big centers have nice pretty admission folders, etc., but at the end of the day, it all boils down to - do you like the teachers and staff - and will your child be happy and learn what she needs by the time school starts. Each classroom has its own access to a large playground. The classrooms are clean and bright. The teachers are always friendly and professional. I've only been there 8-months but it seems like there hasn't been much turn-over in staff. They teach Spanish to the little ones and have special guests come in quite often for puppet shows, music, and such. The cost is reasonable to the market. They only accept cash or checks to pay tuition. They do not accept debit or credit cards. The communication method with parents is through a nightly folder by the sign-in/out sheets & by e-mail - for emergencies. They ask to receive the full-month's tuition at the start of the month, but will accept two payments by exception. If you want to add on things like phonics tutoring, dance, French and Karate - this isn't your place. This place meets all the my requirements and I'm very glad that I found this place. It's close to where my husband works in Falls Church and on my way home from Alexandria. I would recommend this center to a friend. read more

Carousel Child Development Center - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

The is center has had workers them well over a decade- unheard of for this area. I have heard countless stories about kids at other centers having multiple teachers because of the all the teachers that leave during the year. It is a huge comfort to know that your child's teacher is not going to leave, and that the class will not have to combine with another due to low staffing when the position doesn't fill back up! This has been in business forever-many people who went there as kids bring their own now. They also have former toddlers who are grown and now working there. I have never encountered a teacher that was not loving. They truly care about your child. Only con is that is on Woodburn Road, which can flood sometimes and close off, but this only happens a few times a year. You can take back roads from Gallow if that ever happens. read more

Our daughter went here starting at 3 months of age until we relocated to a new area when she was 2 years old. We had a lot of anxiety handing over our firstborn 3 month old at the end of maternity leave, but we knew very quickly we had made a good decision. The teachers and office staff here are warm, kind, capable, and professional. We frequently asked them for tips, such as getting our infant daughter to take naps. The kids are great, too! Our daughter always had fun here and made some great friends. read more

My daughter attended this daycare from 3 months until she was 2 years old We loved this school. Staff turnover is low (which is very important) and the staff are happy, loving childcare professionals. Although it doesn't have all the shiny bells and whistles of other daycares, it's a well-run, professional and efficient childcare center. My daughter learned so much and had so much fun there. I would second other reviews that this place really takes the time to know you and your child and it feels like an extension of your family. Plus, they know how to help your child learn by having fun with special activities and guests throughout the year. We wish that our daughter could have stayed longer but we moved and had to enroll her near our new home. Now we're attending a highly-rated, bells and whistle center but honestly, I don't think all the hype (and it is hype a lot of it) beats the education and loving-kindness that your child will find at Carousel--Annandale. Plus Carousel knew how to have fun while still learning. Highly recommended. read more

Carousel has been a wonderful place for our daughter and family since she was an infant. The teachers are caring and understanding and take the time to teach our daughter new things. Now that she is in the toddler room there is always fun stuff planned and they do art and circle time every day. She really enjoys going here and being with the teacher and other children. It is not a super fancy center but that is what I like about it. The teachers truly care, every child is treated special and well taken care of. read more

Carousel is an amazing daycare center. From the front office to the teachers, we've been thrilled with our experience at the center. The center provides monthly food and activity calendars, provides special classes once children are of a certain age (soccer, Spanish, PE, etc.) and overall do a really good job of keeping the children engaged, on schedule and happy. I've had zero issues with the center and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a daycare. It's also conveniently located right off the beltway at 495 & Gallows. read more

My children attended this school together for a short period. The staff and teachers seemed nice enough but neither of my kids (who were 2 and 4 at the time) adapted, so I decided to move them to another school. After the kids left and felt safe and happy at their new school, they told me some pretty awful things about their experiences at Carousel. I wish I had never sent my kids there and still harbor guilt that I did not remove them sooner. read more