How do I choose the right daycare in Columbia?

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with South Carolina's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in South Carolina) Safety measures and cleanliness Daily routines and educational curriculum Parent reviews and ratings Location and hours that fit your schedule

What types of daycare are available in Columbia?

Columbia offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 98 facilities Headstart Programs — 4 facilities Church Daycare — 8 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 10 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Child Daycare & Preschools in Columbia, South Carolina (98 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in South Carolina?

Daycare costs in South Carolina typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Columbia for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Columbia

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

Creative Learning Place

4.64 score

5(9)

7310 Nursery Road, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Creative Learning Place receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, nurturing staff and welcoming family-like environment. Parents highlight strong communication, educational preparation for kindergarten, and their children's enthusiasm for attending. The center is noted for its small class sizes and personalized attention to each child.

Caring and loving staffstrong teacher-parent communicationchild enthusiasm for schooleducational cu

Magnanimous Kids Learning Center

4.64 score

4.8(20)

1215 N. Brickyard Road, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

Magnanimous Kids Learning Center receives universal 5-star praise from parents who consistently highlight exceptional educational outcomes and caring staff. Parents report significant academic progress in reading, writing, and math, along with improvements in confidence, social skills, and emotional development. The center is particularly commended for transforming shy or struggling learners into confident, enthusiastic students.

Dedicated and passionate staff (espec

Incarnation Lutheran Child Development Center

4.56 score

4.7(20)

3005 Devine Street, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Reviews praise the church's childcare program for exceptional teaching quality and child protection. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere and engaging environment. The facility is also noted for hosting well-received community events like Oktoberfest.

Amazing teachersexcellent learning experienceschild safety and protectionwelcoming community

Spring Valley Baptist Church Preschool

4.56 score

4.7(20)

91 Polo Road, Columbia, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Spring Valley Baptist Church Preschool receives uniformly positive feedback from parents, who praise the Christ-centered curriculum, warm and welcoming staff, and strong relationships teachers build with children. Parents consistently highlight the caring environment, spiritual growth opportunities, and safe, secure facilities. The facility is commended for its animal-themed decor and overall quality of early childhood education.

Christ-centered curriculumcaring an

Southeast Child Development Center

4.55 score

5(6)

1540 Elmtree Road, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Parents consistently praise Southeast Child Development Center for its compassionate, dedicated staff and quality care. The facility offers home-cooked meals, strong security measures, and Christian values. Teachers are noted for providing foundational education and addressing individual developmental needs like speech support.

Compassionate and caring staffhome-cooked mealssafety and security measures with camerasChristian environment

Mcgregor Presbyterian Preschool

4.5 score

5(5)

6505 St Andrews Road, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

McGregor Presbyterian Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents who emphasize the caring, professional teachers and nurturing Christian environment. Parents highlight the balance of structured learning activities and play-based learning methods that encourage child development, independence, and kindness.

Caring and committed teacherslearning through playChristian environmentdaily crafts and learning activities

Center For Learning INC

4.5 score

5(5)

2729 Covenant Road, Columbia, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Center for Learning Inc receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, knowledgeable staff and strong learning environment. Parents highlight the school's resources, extracurricular activities, field trips, and safe family atmosphere. Children are reportedly engaged and reluctant to leave at the end of the day.

caring and knowledgeable staffstrong parent-teacher communicationextensive resources and toolsfield trips to out-of-state locations

Kathwood Preschool

4.48 score

4.7(11)

4900 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Kathwood is a religious facility in Columbia, South Carolina, that parents describe as a welcoming and inclusive Baptist church community. Reviews emphasize the friendly atmosphere, strong sense of family, quality fellowship programs, and meaningful pastoral leadership. One parent noted their son attended preschool there in the early 1980s.

Welcoming and inclusive environmentfriendly staff and congregationstrong sense of community and familyquality fellowship and food programs

St. Michael And All Angels' Episcopal Church Elc

4.48 score

4.6(20)

6408 Bridgewood Road, Columbia, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church ELC in Columbia receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a caring, family-oriented environment with compassionate staff and strong educational programs. Parents highlight the center's responsive leadership, quality curriculum, and daily communication through the Brightwheel app. Multiple families report their children thriving academically and emotionally, with strong attachment to teachers and the school community.

Caring and patient stafffamily-like atmosphereresponsive to behavioral and developmental challengesquality curriculum

Union Street Early Head Start

4.47 score

4.7(10)

1118 Union St., Columbia, SC · Headstart Programs · Capacity: -999 children

Union Street Early Head Start has a 4.7/5 Google rating with 10 reviews. The facility receives overwhelming praise for compassionate staff and comprehensive support services, though some users report inconsistent service quality and communication delays depending on case worker assignment.

Caring and supportive staffcomprehensive assistance with housing and employmentwelcoming environmentprofessional services

Child Daycare & Preschools in Columbia, South Carolina

There are 98 child daycare & preschools in Columbia, South Carolina, making up 82% of the 120 total childcare facilities in the city. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 98 child daycare & preschools daycares in Columbia, South Carolina, out of 120 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

Licensing status with South Carolina's regulatory agency
Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in South Carolina)
Safety measures and cleanliness
Daily routines and educational curriculum
Parent reviews and ratings
Location and hours that fit your schedule

Columbia offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 98 facilities
Headstart Programs — 4 facilities
Church Daycare — 8 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 10 facilities

Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Daycare costs in South Carolina typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Columbia for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Columbia must be licensed by South Carolina's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.

98 Child Daycare & Preschools in Columbia, South Carolina