After School Care Richland County

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Kiddie Academy of Columbia is an early learning academy serving infant – school age (3rd grade) with a nationally recognized curriculum. We offer top quality education for early learners.

They also offer after-school care for school aged children from ages 5 – 12.

Trinity Church offers an after school program that includes bible lessons, a hot snack, and homework help. They are open daily until 6 pm. Visit their website to see the school transportation list. They have two locations in Columbia.

Fine Art and Pottery studio

Classes: Art classes for kids and teens, adult classes, family events, and private art lessons.

After School: After-school program with pickup for all District 5 schools. After school helps with homework assistance and math tutoring.

Camps: Offers summer art camp, both half-day and full-day, pottery wheel camp, and teen camps.

Cadence Academy Preschool offers childcare programs, summer camps, and an after school program called “The Clubhouse.” The program schedule can be found on their website.

Childcare Programs for:

• Infants (6 weeks-1 year)
• Toddlers (1-2 years old)
• Early Learners (2-3 years old)
• Preschool (3-4 years old)
• Pre-K (4-5 years old)
• School-Age (5-12 years old)

Locations in Harbison, SC, Lexington, SC and Northeast Columbia, SC:

450 Columbiana Drive, Columbia
5307 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington
1130 Sparkleberry Lane Extension, Columbia

After School Program at Cadence Academy: Includes homework help and free transportation from schools local to each Cadence Academy location

Summer Camp: Full-day summer camp for ages 5 to 12 that offer fun and activities to prepare kids for the next school year.

Trinity Learning Center in Columbia, SC offers full day preschool programming for infants through 4-year-olds. They also offer an after school program from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm for children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Offers: After-school care for children in the Columbia Area.
Program emphasis on education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development, and athletics.

Classes: Tony Thomas Family Karate offers after-school, children’s karate, advanced children’s karate, and teen/adult karate.

Programs are offered on various days of the week in late afternoon/evenings.

Offers after-school and summer camps that are movement-based, with lots of fun activities that are engaging and educational, while still fun. Dynamite Kids serves Irmo and the surrounding area.

Summer camps are full-day, with early or late drop-off/pick-up available.

Richland County Recreation Commission offers a full-day Summer Mania camp at multiple locations for ages 5-16 that is designed to meet the physical, creative and social needs of kids. A variety of activities are offered including recreational activities, games, arts and crafts, and conservation activities. Camp is offered Mondays – Fridays.

Dates: June – August 
Ages: 5 – 16 
Price: $70 – $125
Full and Half day available

Classes: Recreational youth sports available include track, basketball, tennis, flag football, soccer, and more. Youth programs begin at age 3.

Mighty Kidz Services’ ABA Day Program is for 2 to 5 year olds, and is open from 7:30 am until 3:30 pm for preschool life skills, individual ABA Therapy, and Social Skills Group Therapy.

The Mighty Kidz Afterschool Program is from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm and is open to school-age kids aged 4 and older. This program will help benefit and support kids already in a school setting with a focus on social interactions and skills, self-advocacy, navigating challenges, and more.

Mighty Kidz Services also offers summer camps.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 1st – 4th grade 
Price:
Full day available

The City of Columbia Parks & Recreation offers an after school program for children ages 5-12. The program offers recreational activities, academic enrichment, and more. Find a list of their locations on their website.

The City also offers classes inyouth sports.

The Sunshine House offers childcare, after school care, before school care, and a summer camp for kids. Themes vary and there’s limited space.

Multiple locations in Columbia, SC

Dates: June – August 
Ages: 5 – 12 years old 
Price: Varies by location; contact your local Sunshine House for current tuition details
Full-day day camp

Kids Garden is play-based, commitment-free, health-conscious care, modeled after Montessori, Reggio, and play-based learning theories. Children have the freedom to explore and learn through play.

Their after-school program is enrichment-based, with drop-off Monday-Friday from 3:30 – 5:30 pm.

Birthday Parties: Kids Garden also hosts creative, educator-led birthday parties for kids ages 12 months to 12 years at 4714 Forest Drive — weekend bookings available.

• Party packages start at $300 for members and $350 for non-members
• Parties include 90 minutes of play time

YMCA of Columbia offers youth sports, after school programs, summer camps, and more. Youth sports include basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, and tennis.

There are sports, games, crafts, swimming and lots more fun to be found at summer camps at the YMCA of Columbia.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive, Columbia (Includes camps for preschoolers, traditional camp, teen camps and specialty camps)
• Northwest Family YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo, SC (Offers traditional camps)
• Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton Street, Columbia (Offers traditional camps)

After School: Offered at three branches and the Y-Club, including transporation from school.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA — Afterschool (ages 4–12)
• Northwest Family YMCA — Afterschool (grades 4K–5th) + Tech Club (grades 6–8)
• Downtown YMCA — Y-Club at Sports & Skate Station USA (Lexington One partnership)
• Y-Club at Select Richland One Schools (run through the YMCA, not at a branch facility) — at AC Moore, Brennen, Carver Lyon, Caughman Road, Logan, Rosewood, and South Kilbourne schools.

La Petite Academy offers childcare for infants to Kindergarteners. They also offer after school care and summer camps. Transportation to after school is available by contacting your schools director on the website. They have three locations in Columbia.

Dates: May – August
Ages: 3 – 12
Price:
Full day available

Family-owned daycare serving Columbia, SC that offers care for infants, toddlers, 3k, 4k, and after-school care (ages 5 – 12).

Trenholm Road United Methodist Preschool has full time programming for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years. They also have an afterschool program for grades 5K through 5th grade.

The After School Zone Academy program offers homework help, outdoor activities, STEM, Yoga, free pickup from 5 schools in the Lexington/Richland district, and more. Find a list of schools they will pick up at on their website.

Dates: June – August 
Ages: 5 – 12 years old
Price: $210 per – $225 
Full day available

Classes: Legacy Martial Arts offers classes for young children beginning at age 4, all the way through teens and adults.

Birthday Parties: Legacy Martial Arts birthday parties are fun for all kids, whether they have marital arts experience or not. Parties include some basic instruction as well as activities and all set-up and clean-up.

Summer Camp: Legacy Martial Arts offers a Summer Camp for kids with fun and active educational activities of all kinds.

After School Program: Legacy Martial Arts offers an after school program that provides a positive place for kids to spend time after school.

Four locations: 

5225-C Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC
7579 St. Andrews Road, Irmo, SC
494-4 Town Center Place, Columbia, SC
4711 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC – Suite 10
1056 S Lake Drive, Suite B, Lexington, SC

Offers: After-school childcare with an emphasis on life skills, peer connection, outdoor playtime, and good nutrition!
Ages: Students up to 12 years of age.

Summer Camps: Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission offers a variety of summer camps offered for all ages and interest at the parks. Check the camp guide for fees, dates, times, and detailed information.  Registration forms should be returned to Crooked Creek Park or Seven Oaks Park. Forms may NOT be emailed

2026 information TBA
Dates: May – August
Ages: 4-12
Price: $70–$145+
Full and Half day

After School Program: They also offer an after school program called Safari After School. To find a list of schools that offer this program visit their website above.

Crooked Creek Park @ 803-345-6181

Seven Oaks Park @ 803-772-3336

• Full-Day preschool and childcare for infants (8 weeks) through 4K
• After-school program for 5K-8th grade (year-round or school year only)
• Full-Day Summer Camp for 5K-8th grade

Summer Discover Camp: Program is a full day from 7 am until 6:30 pm. Kids are divided by grade level and participate in extra mini camps (with no additional charge) like Art, Soccer Shots, Literacy Legends, Sports Superstars, and Clay Sculpting.

Shandon Weekday School also offers an after school program from 2:30 pm to 6 pm during the school year and from 7:30 am to 6 pm during the summer. To find the bus your child will ride visit their website.