How do I choose the right daycare in Charleston?

When choosing a daycare in Charleston, 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 Charleston?

Charleston offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 58 facilities Headstart Programs — 3 facilities Church Daycare — 4 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 6 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Headstart Programs in Charleston, South Carolina (3 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 Charleston for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Charleston

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.

It'S A Cool School

4.72 score

4.9(20)

61 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Parents consistently praise Kids Garden for its nurturing, play-based learning environment with caring and attentive staff. The facility is noted for being clean, screen-free, and offering flexible scheduling options. Children show measurable improvements in development, confidence, and enthusiasm for attending.

Loving and kind staffscreen-free environmentclean facilityflexible scheduling

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

4.72 score

4.9(20)

7 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School receives consistently high praise from parents across all reviews (9 five-star ratings). Parents emphasize the school's strong academic performance, nurturing Catholic community, dedicated staff, and safe environment. Families report their children thrive academically and socially while developing strong faith-based values.

Strong academic performance with above-average standardized test scorescaring and dedicated teachersnurturing and safe environmentfaith-based education

Daniel Island Academy

4.64 score

4.9(12)

300 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Daniel Island Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who report significant developmental and educational progress in their children. Parents highlight the professional, caring staff, advanced curriculum, and family-oriented atmosphere as standout features of the center.

Attentive and certified teachersadvanced and diverse curriculumclean and safe facilityexcellent parent communication with daily photos and updates

The Preschool Academy INC.

4.58 score

5(7)

1002 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Parents consistently praise The Preschool Academy Inc. (also referred to as Little Sage School) for its caring staff and quality educational programming. Multiple reviewers highlight strong teacher dedication, structured learning activities, and responsive communication with parents. Families report their children are happy, engaged, and making significant developmental progress.

caring and dedicated staffquality structured learningvariety of activitiesresponsive parent communication

The Little Sage School

4.58 score

5(7)

2487 Ashley River Road, Unit 8, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

The Little Sage School receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise the caring staff, quality education, and positive learning environment. Parents report their children enjoy attending daily and have experienced significant growth and development. The school's leadership and teachers are consistently highlighted as dedicated and responsive.

caring and loving staffstructured learningvariety of activitieschild growth and development

The Children'S Center At Citadel Square

4.56 score

4.7(20)

328 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Note: The reviews provided are for Citadel Square Church, not The Children's Center at Citadel Square daycare. Reviews praise the church's biblical teaching, welcoming atmosphere, and sense of community. No actual daycare reviews are available to summarize.

Welcoming congregationquality biblical sermonsstrong leadershipsense of family and community

Children'S Nook II

4.56 score

4.7(20)

2761 Tricom Street, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Parents consistently praise Frog Academy for its curriculum-based instruction, attentive staff, and educational activities that go beyond basic childcare. Children show measurable academic progress and enthusiasm for attending, with parents appreciating daily photo/video updates and strong communication from the center.

Curriculum-based learningSTEM activitiescreative workdaily photo/video updates

Hvpc Early Care And Education Program

4.55 score

5(6)

900 Harbor View Road, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

HVPC Early Care and Education Program receives positive feedback for its well-behaved children and staff who go above and beyond. Reviews highlight the welcoming atmosphere, new leadership, and engaging programming like Soccer Shots sessions.

Staff goes above and beyondwell-behaved childrenwelcoming environmentquality leadership

North Charleston Methodist Church Learning Center

4.51 score

4.7(13)

1125 E. Montague Avenue, Charleston, SC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Parents praise the daycare for having caring, loving teachers who genuinely care for their children. The facility is described as welcoming and is part of a larger Methodist church community that offers various programs and services.

Loving and caring teacherswelcoming environmentbeautiful sanctuarystrong church community

Carousel Early Childhood Center

4.51 score

4.7(13)

1083 Jenkins Road, Charleston, SC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Carousel Early Childhood Center receives consistently high praise from parents for its caring, experienced staff and educational approach. Parents highlight the facility's strong security measures, open-door policy, developmental focus, and family-like atmosphere. Multiple long-term families report satisfaction with their children's learning and development.

experienced and caring staffsecure entry/exit system with coded doors and app-based check-inonline payment

Headstart Programs in Charleston, South Carolina

There are 3 headstart programs in Charleston, South Carolina, making up 4% of the 71 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 Charleston, 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 3 headstart programs daycares in Charleston, South Carolina, out of 71 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 Charleston, 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

Charleston offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 58 facilities
Headstart Programs — 3 facilities
Church Daycare — 4 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 6 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 Charleston for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Charleston 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.

3 Headstart Programs in Charleston, South Carolina

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Charleston

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Daycare types in Charleston

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