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

• 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

Union Day School offers half-day and full-day preschool programming for children ages 6 weeks to 4K.

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.

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.

Programming for infants-5th graders. Preschool programming goes through 4 years old.

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

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

One of Columbia’s longest running preschools in the Ravenwood area, Little People’s Learning Center is open from 6:30 am-6 pm for Monday through Friday care.
Offers care for ages 6 weeks – 8 years of age.

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.

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.

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

Serving children from six weeks old through Kindergarten. Rooted in a Christ-centered philosophy, our program emphasizes whole-child development.
Preschool is part time, from 9 am – 12 pm and follow a school year schedule.

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

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.

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.

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

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

They also offer after-school care for Kindergarten through 5th grade.

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

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

Preschool program for ages 6 weeks old to 4 years old

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

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.

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

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

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.

Their preschool is offered for ages 30 months to 5 years.

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Riverland Hills Day School provides care for children ages 2 – 5. Hours are Monday – Friday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Two, Three, and Five day plans are available.

Full-Day preschool and daycare for ages 6 weeks – Pre-K designed to prepare kids for kindergarten.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

• 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.

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 4th Grade
3513 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia

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

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.

Pisgah Child Development Ministries has programs and classes for children ages 18 months through 4 years old.

Midlands Montessori School offers full-day and part-day programming for children ages 3-5 years old.

We are committed to providing authentic Montessori education and preparing the whole child to interact with the world. We provide a small classroom environment where independence, curiosity, and the spirit of the child are nurtured. Our qualified and passionate staff members are dedicated to the value of the Montessori method and pedagogy. Ages 2 1/2 years to 6 years old welcome.

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.

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.

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.

Welcoming infants as young as six weeks up to Pre‑K (around age 5).

They utilize a “Links to Learning” curriculum in a play‑based yet intentional environment for elementary preparation.
The academy is in Northeast Columbia near Fort Jackson.

They also offer summer camp options.

Heyward Street Methodist Preschool offers partial-day programming for 2, 3, and 4 year olds. Hours are 8:30 am – 2:30 pm or 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

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.

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

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 at their West Campus. 742 Kitti Wake Drive, West Columbia

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.

Private Montessori school for Pre-K through 12th grade