
Browse all 98 child daycare & preschools in Columbia, South Carolina. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Highest rated daycares in Columbia based on parent reviews
7310 Nursery Road, Columbia, SC
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.
1215 N. Brickyard Road, Columbia, SC
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.
3005 Devine Street, Columbia, SC
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.
1540 Elmtree Road, Columbia, SC
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.
6505 St Andrews Road, Columbia, SC
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.
2729 Covenant Road, Columbia, SC
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.
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.
Showing 98 results
Lake Murray Montessori School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the Montessori curriculum, dedicated teachers, and individualized attention that helps children excel academically and socially. However, one parent reported their child was isolated at a separate table during meals and activities, and felt the owner and teacher dismissed their concerns.
Parents consistently praise Children's Garden as a hidden gem outdoor park in Columbia with themed gardens and interactive play areas. The fully fenced space with single entrance is noted as safe for young children, and the well-maintained grounds feature multiple themed sections including butterfly gardens, reading areas, sand pits, and trails. Families appreciate the peaceful, intentionally-designed environment and shaded areas for picnicking.
Saint John Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with parents praising strong academics, Christian values, attentive staff, and children's developmental progress. One parent reported significant concerns about frequent facility closures, questionable fever screening practices, and inflexible field trip policies that disrupted work schedules.
Montessori Early Learning Center is highly praised by parents for its dedicated staff, strong Montessori methodology, and nurturing environment that fosters academic excellence and personal development. Parents consistently report that their children thrive intellectually, socially, and emotionally, with many noting accelerated academic progress and a genuine love of learning. The school is described as a foundational investment in their children's education and future success.
Lollipop Lane Day Care Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, individualized attention to children, and safe environment. Most reviewers report their children are happy and look forward to attending. Two negative reviews cite concerns about shuttle bus driving safety and outdoor eating policies.
Parents consistently praise The Montessori School of Columbia for its supportive, nurturing environment and strong focus on whole-child development including social-emotional growth. Children are reported to thrive academically and personally, with staff described as caring, experienced, and responsive to feedback. The school is noted for its authentic Montessori approach and inclusive community values.
Cadence Academy Preschool in Columbia receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff being described as caring, attentive, and genuinely invested in each child's development. Parents highlight strong communication, smooth transitions for new students, and engaging activities. Multiple families report their children thrived academically and socially, with children eager to attend each day.
Good Shepherd Day School is described as a clean, well-maintained facility with a strong faith-based community atmosphere. Most reviewers praise the church family environment and spiritual focus. One reviewer expressed disappointment about the discontinuation of contemporary services.
St. Paul's Child Care Ministry in Columbia receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the friendly and caring staff. The facility offers convenient downtown location and flexible hours. One reviewer reported a negative experience with staff rudeness.
Fantasy Island Infant and Childcare Center receives largely positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring staff and strong bonds children form with caregivers. One parent reported a negative experience regarding application processing and enrollment procedures.
Seven Oaks Kids Academy in Columbia receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating the facility 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the warm, family-like environment, dedicated staff, and strong communication from leadership. The center is noted for supporting children's development across various ages and needs, including those with special requirements.
Kingdom Kids Child Development Center receives overwhelmingly positive reviews praising staff attentiveness, educational curriculum, and child development gains, particularly in speech and social skills. However, two negative reviews raise serious safety and hygiene concerns, including a child leaving the classroom unsupervised and allegations of inadequate sanitation and staff training.
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.
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.
Page 2 of 4· 98 results