Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Sumter, SC
Compare 22 child daycare & preschools in Sumter. Average rating: 4.12/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Sumter, South Carolina at a glance
- Programs
- 22
- Avg rating
- 4.12/5
- Parent reviews
- 147
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 9
Sumter has 22 licensed child daycare & preschools with 147 parent reviews averaging 4.12/5.9 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 39% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 29150 zip code, averaging 4.56 stars across 24 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Sumter
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.
- 1Jehovah Missionary Bapt. Church Christian & Academic School4.64 score4.8(20)
415 Manning Avenue, Sumter, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Parents praise Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church Christian & Academic School for its strong spiritual foundation and comprehensive family-oriented ministry. Reviews highlight the quality biblical teaching, welcoming community atmosphere, and robust children's and youth programs. All reviewers rate the facility 5/5 stars and express satisfaction with the spiritual guidance provided to their children.
Strong biblical teachingwelcoming communitycomprehensive childre - 2Love Covenant Church Child Development Center4.46 score4.6(16)
245 Oswego Highway, Sumter, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Love Covenant Church Child Development Center receives consistently high praise from parents. Parents highlight the clean facility, attentive staff communication, flexible hours, meal provisions, and caring environment. The center is recommended for families seeking a nurturing, faith-based daycare option in Sumter.
Clean facilityresponsive staff communication about incidentsflexible drop-off/pick-up hoursmeals provided - 3Vanessa Palace LLC4.4 score4.8(5)
1360 S. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Vanessa Palace LLC receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are excited to attend and love the facility. Parents appreciate the professional and friendly staff, with the director and caregivers being noted as genuinely caring. The primary concern mentioned is the cost of childcare, though parents acknowledge it is understandable given the quality of care provided.
Children love attendingprofessional and friendly staffcaring directorlong-term positive impact on children - 4Morris College Head Start4.24 score4.3(20)
100 W. College Street, Sumter, SC · Headstart Programs · Capacity: -999 children
Morris College Head Start receives consistently positive feedback with a 4.3/5 rating. Parents praise the strong security, friendly and helpful staff, and well-mannered students who demonstrate eagerness to learn. The facility is noted for creating an inclusive, nurturing environment that prepares students for future success.
Strong securityfriendly staffhelpful staffwell-mannered students - 5Vanessa'S Playland4.16 score4.2(18)
3300 West Brewington Road, Sumter, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Vanessa's Playland receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, professional staff and family-oriented atmosphere. Parents report their children are happy, well-prepared for school, and safe, with strong communication from staff. The facility is described as a loving, nurturing environment where children thrive.
caring and professional staffstrong communicationsafe and loving environmentchildren enjoy attending - 6Kids First Academy3.93 score3.9(15)
1250 Peach Orchard Road, Sumter, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise Kids First Academy for its caring, welcoming staff and nurturing environment where children feel safe and excited to attend. Multiple reviewers highlight the center's support during challenging situations, engaging activities, and positive developmental progress. The facility maintains strong long-term relationships with families, with some parents using their services for over a decade.
Caring and gentle staffwelcoming environmentchildren feel safe and excitedstrong developmental progress - 7Kid'S Academy3.78 score3.7(14)
1921 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Kid's Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most reviews praising the warm, professional staff, clean facilities, and nurturing learning environment. Parents consistently recommend the center as the best childcare option in Sumter. One negative review criticizes the owner's management practices and business decisions.
Warm and professional staffclean and organized classroomsengaging learning activitiesnurturing environment - 8New Beginnings At Warth Child Care3.67 score3.4(6)
1960 Mccrays Mill Road, Sumter, SC · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
New Beginnings at Warth Child Care receives mixed reviews ranging from 1-5 stars. Parents praise the staff and quality care in younger age groups, but several report serious concerns about supervision, staff behavior, discipline practices, and child safety as children progress to older classrooms.
Caring and kind staffprofessional photos and videos shared with parentsengaging activities for 2-year-oldsresponsive director
Rating Distribution
Based on 23 daycares with Google ratings in Sumter
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 147 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Sumter, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Sumter zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29150 | 24 | 4.56 | 8 | |
| 29154 | 13 | 3.55 | 1 | |
| 29153 | 5 | 3.4 | 0 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Sumter (71–71 children)
Small
up to 30 children
0
Medium
31–75 children
1
Large
76–150 children
0
Very Large
150+ children
0
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Sumter based on parent reviews
Vanessa Palace LLC
1360 S. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC
Vanessa Palace LLC receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are excited to attend and love the facility. Parents appreciate the professional and friendly staff, with the director and caregivers being noted as genuinely caring. The primary concern mentioned is the cost of childcare, though parents acknowledge it is understandable given the quality of care provided.
Aunt Susans Play School INC
436 North Main Street, Sumter, SC
Parents describe the staff as supportive, friendly, and protective, with one noting that children love attending. A single review highlights a concerning teaching philosophy where a teacher punishes well-behaved students alongside misbehaving ones.
Grace Baptist Christian School
219 W Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC
One parent highlights the Awana program as the best in Sumter, while another describes an exceptional family environment where they felt right at home during a visit. A third review notes the church's choir, preaching, and welcoming congregation.
Bethel Child Care And Learning Center
2401 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC
Parents describe a warm and loving environment where teachers are sweet, caring, and patient with young students. Reviewers highlight the director's active involvement and the joyful atmosphere for 4K classes. One parent notes the business has been nothing but good for them and their child.
Bethesda Learning Center
2730 Broad Street, Sumter, SC
Vanessa'S Playland
3300 West Brewington Road, Sumter, SC
Vanessa's Playland receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, professional staff and family-oriented atmosphere. Parents report their children are happy, well-prepared for school, and safe, with strong communication from staff. The facility is described as a loving, nurturing environment where children thrive.
Map
Daycare types in Sumter
Browse by type in Sumter
Child Daycare & Preschools in Sumter, South Carolina
There are 22 child daycare & preschools in Sumter, South Carolina, making up 50% of the 44 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.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Sumter have an average rating of 4.12 out of 5 across 23 rated facilities, with 39% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.8 stars. Our analysis covers 147 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Sumter, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Child Daycare & Preschools in Sumter
Showing 22 results
- Address
- 2730 Broad Street, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 469-2588
Parents describe the staff as supportive, friendly, and protective, with one noting that children love attending. A single review highlights a concerning teaching philosophy where a teacher punishes well-behaved students alongside misbehaving ones.
- Address
- 436 North Main Street, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 775-4255
One parent highlights the Awana program as the best in Sumter, while another describes an exceptional family environment where they felt right at home during a visit. A third review notes the church's choir, preaching, and welcoming congregation.
- Address
- 219 W Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 773-1686
Parents describe a warm and loving environment where teachers are sweet, caring, and patient with young students. Reviewers highlight the director's active involvement and the joyful atmosphere for 4K classes. One parent notes the business has been nothing but good for them and their child.
- Address
- 2401 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 481-5340
- Address
- 475 Crosswell Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 774-5900
Vanessa Palace LLC receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are excited to attend and love the facility. Parents appreciate the professional and friendly staff, with the director and caregivers being noted as genuinely caring. The primary concern mentioned is the cost of childcare, though parents acknowledge it is understandable given the quality of care provided.
- Address
- 1360 S. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 938-9339
- Address
- 180 S Pike East, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 775-6532
One parent highlights the center's ability to provide immediate enrollment during a stressful situation, while another describes a calm and peaceful atmosphere. A third review notes that their daughter enjoys playing with friends and appreciates the staff, though this specific comment received a slightly lower rating.
- Address
- 48 Inglewood Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 778-2102
Vanessa's Playland receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, professional staff and family-oriented atmosphere. Parents report their children are happy, well-prepared for school, and safe, with strong communication from staff. The facility is described as a loving, nurturing environment where children thrive.
- Address
- 3300 West Brewington Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 494-9584
- Address
- 1270 Wilson Hall Rd, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 469-2273
Parents consistently praise Kids First Academy for its caring, welcoming staff and nurturing environment where children feel safe and excited to attend. Multiple reviewers highlight the center's support during challenging situations, engaging activities, and positive developmental progress. The facility maintains strong long-term relationships with families, with some parents using their services for over a decade.
- Address
- 1250 Peach Orchard Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 494-3979
- Address
- 416 S. Wise Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 773-4300
Kid's Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most reviews praising the warm, professional staff, clean facilities, and nurturing learning environment. Parents consistently recommend the center as the best childcare option in Sumter. One negative review criticizes the owner's management practices and business decisions.
- Address
- 1921 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 905-9786
Feedback is sharply divided, with some parents describing a loving, professional environment that served as a 'home away from home,' while others allege serious safety violations and staff misconduct. Positive accounts highlight staff friendliness and peace of mind, whereas negative accounts claim physical abuse, unfair treatment of neurodivergent children, and inadequate food service.
- Address
- 2180 Peach Orchard Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 499-7414
One parent reports severe mistreatment of their non-verbal toddler, including neglect of basic hygiene needs and staff dishonesty. The reviewer also notes a lack of communication, failure to follow potty training instructions, and frequent leadership turnover.
- Address
- 13 Barnett Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 418-5802
- Address
- 873 Kingsbury Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 938-5473
- Address
- 520 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 469-3475
Archway Academy 3 receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring teachers, smooth transitions, and strong learning environment. However, one parent reported serious safety and supervision concerns during a tour, including finding the facility unsecured with no visible staff monitoring sleeping children.
- Address
- 2049 Mccrays Mill Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 773-6480
- Address
- 554 Pinewood Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 775-4406
- Address
- 24 Pinewood Road, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 773-5780
- Address
- 420 South Pike West, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 773-1902
- Address
- 251 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC
- Phone
- (803) 775-0857
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Frequently asked questions
- 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
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 22 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 5 facilities
- Church Daycare — 3 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 14 facilities