30+ Places for After School Care: Columbia, SC

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Our mission is empowering children for greatness through amazing programs, enriching faith, and providing essential support for families in the Midlands. We host a summer camp and afterschool program.

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.

B-Hive Daycare and Learning Center LLC offers daycare services, tutoring, summer camps, and after school care. Weekly rates are available on their website.

Fine Art and Pottery studio

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

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

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

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.

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.

• Programs for infants-4K
• Before & After School Programs, including pick up from local schools.
• Summer Camps

Locations in West Columbia, Lexington, and Irmo:

3912 Leaphart Rd, West Columbia
110 Hadleigh Drive, Lexington
101 North Royal Tower Drive, Irmo

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

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.

Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Child Development Center has preschool classes and programs for children ages 2 through 4. There’s also an Afterschool Program for kindergartners through 5th graders.

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.

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. 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

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.

We are a cheerleading gym that offers many different programs such as all-stars, rec classes, tumbling, and camps.

The YMCA of Columbia is a charitable organization working toward a better community for all. We strengthen the foundation of community through: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

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.

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

Cayce’s Best offers safe, reliable, and most importantly, FUN after school and summer camp programs year round for elementary school aged children in the local community.

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)

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.

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.

The Incarnation Lutheran Child Development Center has preschool programming for children who are 8 weeks old through 4 years old. There’s also an After School Program where students are picked up by the church bus and brought back to the center.

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. Check out their website for times and cost based on age group and length of stay each day. They also offer an after school program for children ages Kindergarten to 8th grade. Find a list of location sites on their website.

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

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

We offer mommy-and-me music classes, group piano, voice, and ukulele lessons, and private instruction—creating fun, enriching musical experiences for children and families.

After School

We have prepared an exciting schedule of activities to provide children with an environment that will aid them in their overall development, in their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth, and work to instill a positive self-image as they grow and mature.

Summer Camp

SummerCare is our summer camp that promises to provide a safe and loving environment for your children while you are at work. We offer field trips, swimming, games, crafts, etc. to ensure your child(ren) have a fun-filled summer!

• 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.

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.

Chess tournaments, casual play, and chess coaching.

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.

The official training center of Ann Brodies Carolina Ballet. CDE offers dance classes year round for infants through adults in styles such as ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. Morning/mid-day homeschool classes also available. Summer classes available as well.

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.