The Premier Guide to Preschools & Day Care: Columbia, SC

Pre-Kindergarten (4K)

Heritage Christian Academy’s Kindergarten Prep program offers your child the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, loving, Christ-centered environment. Our classical approach to education concentrates on the 3 essential elements of phonics, handwriting, and math with the integration of Biblical teachings. Students are given the opportunity to build skills through hands-on learning activities and real-life experiences. Our program is designed to develop students academically, socially, and emotionally to ensure they make a smooth transition into kindergarten.

Our school functions as a nurturing community in which students are respected as unique individuals created in the image of God. Biblical integration is an important part of instruction. We have amazing teachers who love God’s word and seek ways to integrate it in all aspects of the school day. You can rest in knowing your kindergarten student will be taught by skilled and knowledgeable teachers who love children and are dedicated to helping them realize their greatest potential.

Daily activities consist of the following:
• read-a-loud stories
• art and music experiences
• building relationships
• exploring God’s world

At Kids Garden, we’ve cultivated an eco-friendly community full of wonder, learning and growth. Parents are captivated by the flexibility and convenience, and children have the opportunity to learn and play in a natural and creative way. It’s an alternative for the mindful parent, with plenty of options to fit your family’s needs, offering a safe and supportive place to allow your child to thrive, create and discover.

*Creative Learning: We believe kids learn best through play, and have
designed a learning center for just that.

*Safe and Secure: Drop your child off any time knowing he or she will be in good hands. Our childcare educational center is secured with a keypad
entrance, and we require picture IDs for pickup. Our childcare providers
have all been thoroughly screened and are certified in CPR and first aid.

*ECO Friendly: Kids Garden is a green educational center where everything is environmentally friendly.

*Organic Meals and Snacks: All food served at Kids Garden is wholesome,
nutritious and peanut-free. We work with local partners including Whole
Foods when ordering meals, and hand select healthy snack options.

To sign up for Preschool, please call or email the center directly.
Columbia@kidsplaygarden.com or 803.451.0290

Preschool programs in Columbia, SC and Lexington, SC for infants through Pre- 4K, utilizing the Learning Beyond Curriculum.

1103 B Ave, West Columbia
320 S Lake Drive, Lexington
1535 Lorick Ave, Columbia
408 S Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School offers education from ages 2 (nursery school) through 12th grade. The campus is situated on 122 acres of wooded wetlands and has incorporated natural “outdoor” education into its curriculum.

McGregor Presbyterian Preschool offers classes for 1 year olds through 4 year olds. You can choose from 2, 3, or 5 days per week. Classes are half-days.

View a virtual tour of McGregor Presbyterian Preschool.

Midlands Montessori School offers full-day programming for children ages 3-6 years old.

Living Springs Lutheran Church Child Development Center has full-day classes for infants through 4/5 year olds.

Child Care Services

Full-day preschool programming for infants (6 weeks old)-4 years old. The school is located at Brookland Baptist Church.

St. John Neumann Catholic School offers a combination of traditional education courses with Catholic teachings.
Grades: Preschool – 6th grade
The school also offers extended care, advanced math, community service opportunities, and special interest courses.

CFL is an Independent Early Childhood Program offering care for children 12 months to 4 years of age in their Child Development Program.

CFL also offers kindergarten through 5th grade in their academy program.

Half-Day Preschool in Columbia for ages 1-4 at Spring Valley Baptist Church. The half-day, play-based program is from 9 am to noon, weekdays.

Union Day School offers full time preschool programming for children ages 6 weeks to two years old.

Holland Avenue Baptist Church offers a half-day preschool program for children 6 weeks old through kindergarten.

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.

Harmony School is a private school offering pre-K – Elementary school education. Their blended curriculum is inspired by Waldorf, Montessori, and Inquiry-based learning.

The school also offers after-school care.

Mt Olive Lutheran Church Preschool is a half-day program for children ages 2-4.

Heyward Street Methodist Preschool offers half-day programming for 2, 3, and 4 year olds. You can choose between 2, 3, or 5 days per week.

Lake Murray Presbyterian Day School is a preschool program for children ages 6 weeks old through 5 years old. There’s a full-day program and a part-time program.

Lake Murray Baptist Preschool offers programs for children ages 1 through 5 years old.

Mt Hebron Dayschool has half-day preschool programs for infants through kindergarten.

Montessori Early Learning Center is a private school with an education curriculum based on Montessori-style learning.
The facility has 6 primary, multi-aged classrooms. The facility has observation mirrors installed in every classroom door for parent use at any time without an appointment.

• Primary Program for 3-6 year olds
• Lower Elementary Program for 6-9 year olds
• Upper Elementary for 9-12 year olds
• Middle School for 12-15 year olds

Spring Valley Presbyterian Church Preschool offers 2, 3, and 5 days a week programming for children ages 2-4. Preschool days are half days, but there’s an extended care option, too.

• Full-Day preschool and childcare for infants 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.

North Trenholm Baptist Church has a Weekday Preschool for children ages 12 months-4 years old. School days are full days.

Northside Christian Academy is a private school located in Lexington County.
The school offers a Christ-centered education for grades K -12.
In addition to academics, they offer athletics and arts programs.

They also have an Early Education Center for children ages 6 weeks old through kindergarten.

Ben Lippen Schools is a private, Christ-centered school for preschool -12th grade.
They have three campuses in the Columbia, SC area.

Monticello Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 12th Grade
7401 Monticello Road, Columbia

Northeast Campus: Pre-K4 through 1st Grade
3513 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia

St. Andrews Road Campus: Pre-K3 through 4th Grade
500 St. Andrews Road, Columbia

Preschool program for ages 6 weeks old to 4 years old

Timmerman School is an SCISA Accredited private school in Columbia, SC for grades K – 12.
They offer academics, athletics, and fine arts.

The high school program receives their education through Connections Academy with on-campus private teacher assistance.

Preschool and kindergarten in Columbia, SC for ages toddlers and ages 2-5. Programs are partial day and there are options for attendance 3-5 days per week.

Saxa 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.

MEGA Child Development Center offers full day programming for 2-4 year olds.

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.

Full-Day preschool and daycare for ages 18 months – Pre-K designed to prepare kids for kindergarten.

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.

Preschool program for 8 weeks to 4 years old in Columbia, SC

Half-Day and Full-Day Preschool Programs in Columbia, SC for infants-4 years old

Monumental Kids Academy Learning Center fosters tomorrow’s leaders through a safe, inclusive, stimulating learning environment, nurturing knowledge, character, and creativity in every child.

• 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

Kathwood Baptist offers a preschool program for children 6 weeks through 4 years old. There are full-time and part-time options.

Love Learning Center has classes for children 8 weeks through Pre-K. Programs are full-time.

Programming for infants-5th graders. Preschool programming goes through 5 years old.

Grace Christian School offers traditional education with a Christ-centered approach. They offer academics, athletics, fine arts, and spiritual development programs.
They offer educational programs from PreK – 12th grade.
Grace Christian School also has an Early Learning Center for infants (6 weeks old) – 2 years old.

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.

Saint Joseph Catholic School offers a traditional education with cutting-edge teaching techniques combined with Catholic teachings based on the Diocese of Charleston.
Grades: 4K- 6th grade
In addition, they offer enrichment courses such as art, music, physical education, guidance, technology, and Spanish

Lexington Baptist Preschool has classes for children 18 months old through 5K. There are options to choose between 2, 3, and 4 day attendance.

Midlands Primary Learning Center has full day preschool classes for children ages 2-4 years old.

Programs for infants – preschoolers, including kindergarten prep, located at the Columbia Federal Center.

Trinity Learning Center in Columbia, SC offers full day preschool programming for infants through 5-year-olds.

Private Montessori school for Pre-K through 12th grade

Pisgah Child Development Ministries has programs and classes for children ages 18 months through 5 years old.

Lake Carolina Early Learning Center offers preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years

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.