Best Daycare Centers in Columbia, SC

One parent describes a positive experience, while another alleges severe negligence and verbal abuse toward children, including those with special needs. A third review claims a child was harmed and their slot was reassigned without consultation, though the reviewer states they never contacted the facility to return.

Feedback for NANA'S LITTLE ELEPHANT CDC/PHASE 2 is mixed, with some parents highlighting a professional, organized, and clean environment, while others criticize the facility as lacking structure and value. One reviewer reports that children spend the day doing little more than playing, describing the experience negatively, whereas others praise the polite staff and well-run operations.

Parents consistently praise Kinder Academy LLC as an excellent daycare with caring, attentive staff and a clean learning environment. Children show measurable progress in development and vocabulary, and families report their children are excited and happy to attend. The facility is noted for quality meals, educational activities, and staff who treat children with genuine care and kindness.

GIG HOLDING LLC @ CHILDREN'S WORLD receives mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents citing loving staff, patient teachers, early education focus, and safe environment for infants. However, a small number of parents reported serious concerns including a biting incident with inadequate communication and cleanliness/organizational issues.

Education Express is a well-established daycare in Columbia that parents consistently praise for its caring, family-like environment and developmental focus. Staff members are noted as understanding, communicative, and attentive to individual children's needs. The facility serves infants through school-age children and offers engaging activities and programs.

Woodfield Enrichment Center receives mixed reviews. Most parents praise the staff as caring, patient, and trustworthy, noting their children are safe, loved, and learn well. However, several negative reviews allege staff misconduct, including physical handling of children and failure to report injuries to parents.

One parent reports that the facility lacks educational value and enforces an incorrect policy restricting water access, while another describes unprofessional administrative handling of slot availability inquiries. A third review simply labels the experience as great. The few reviews so far highlight significant operational and policy concerns alongside isolated positive feedback.

Cadence Academy receives consistently high praise from parents, with all 10 recent reviews rating it 5 stars. Parents highlight exceptional teachers and staff who provide personalized attention, a structured curriculum, and a welcoming environment where children thrive and enjoy learning.

Hope Academy receives mixed reviews with strong praise from some parents for staff dedication and child development support, but serious concerns raised by others regarding staff turnover, inexperience, basic care standards, and customer service issues.

Parents consistently praise Little Peoples Learning Center as a family-owned facility with caring, attentive staff who treat children with respect and love. Multiple reviewers highlight strong communication, academic and social development, and a welcoming environment. The center was able to accommodate families when other facilities had waitlists, and parents feel confident in their children's safety and care.

One parent describes a highly positive experience where staff provided comprehensive care for a child with severe allergies and medical needs, noting significant developmental progress in vocabulary and potty training. Another review highlights excellent preparation for kindergarten and top-notch staff, while a single negative review alleges a $50 waiting list fee and unfair prioritization practices.

Parents consistently praise First Nazareth Child Development Center for its family-oriented atmosphere, dedicated long-term staff, and strong child development outcomes. Multiple reviewers report their children are excited to attend, thriving academically, and treated with genuine care and love by staff who go above and beyond their duties.

Opinions on Grace Academy are sharply divided, with one parent describing it as a good place and another praising the leadership of the pastor and his wife. Conversely, a third reviewer reports a severely negative experience, claiming their child changed significantly after attending and alleging shady practices.

This daycare center receives overwhelmingly negative reviews citing serious safety and care concerns, including neglect, poor hygiene, staff inadequacy, and failure to follow parental instructions. One positive review praised the after-school program and engaged teachers, but this is vastly outweighed by multiple reports of health/safety issues and management problems.

Northstar Child Development Center has extremely polarized reviews. Two parents praised the Christian curriculum, sign language instruction, clean facility, and staff quality. However, three parents reported serious concerns including child abuse incidents, poor director communication, frequent unannounced closures, lack of staffing, and delayed incident reporting.

Sunshine House in Columbia receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring and professional staff, strong leadership, educational activities, and safe environment where children are excited to attend.

Parents consistently praise Mommy's Time Out for its attentive, caring staff, low teacher-to-student ratios, and excellent communication through daily updates and app access. Children show enthusiasm for attending and demonstrate improvements in learning, speech, and social skills. Leadership, particularly Mrs. Pam, is noted for going above and beyond, including accommodating special needs like autism and supporting breastfeeding parents.

La Petite Academy receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise the warm, professional staff, nurturing environment, and engaging activities. Parents consistently highlight the facility's cleanliness, strong communication, developmental support, and the exceptional care provided by staff members, particularly Ms. Angela. Multiple families report their children thrive and genuinely enjoy attending.

Bright Horizons at USC receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents whose children attend, with praise for caring staff, quality curriculum, and noticeable child development. However, some prospective parents report frustration with unclear enrollment policies, as the center primarily serves university students and staff but does not clearly communicate this restriction during initial inquiries.

Bright Horizons at Columbia Federal receives consistently high ratings from parents who praise the quality of education, teacher dedication, and individualized care. Parents report strong academic preparation and social-emotional development. Most acknowledge the center is expensive and has a selective admissions process, but believe the quality justifies the cost.

Creative Beginnings receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, well-trained staff and strong Christian-based curriculum. Parents consistently report their children are happy, thriving developmentally, and eager to attend, with staff providing excellent communication and maintaining a clean, organized facility.