Best Daycares in Charleston, SC — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 26 daycares and childcare centers in Charleston based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Charleston

  1. #1 — Big Blue Marble Academy Folly Road Score: 86%

    Big Blue Marble Academy Folly Road is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: https://bbmacademy.com/location/folly-road/.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  2. #2 — The O'Quinn Schools Score: 86%

    The O'Quinn Schools is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, day care preschool. Website: http://oquinnschool.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Audacy Creative Arts Preschool Score: 86%

    Audacy Creative Arts Preschool is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, art school, private school. Website: http://www.audacycap.net.

    Programs: Preschool, Art school, Private school. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Redeemer Children's Center Score: 86%

    Redeemer Children's Center is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.redeemerpreschool.net.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  5. #5 — Second Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten Score: 86%

    Second Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://www.spkpreschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →

  6. #6 — Daniel Island Academy Score: 86%

    Daniel Island Academy is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, private school. Website: http://www.danielislandacademy.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Private school. View full profile →

  7. #7 — The Oaks Children's Academy Score: 86%

    The Oaks Children's Academy is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.theoaksacademy.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Sunshine House of Charleston Score: 86%

    Sunshine House of Charleston is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: https://sunshinehouse.com/dorchester/.

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Little Learner play schools Score: 86%

    Little Learner play schools is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://littlelearnerplayschools.com/play-school.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  10. #10 — St. Andrew's Presbyterian Weekday School Score: 86%

    St. Andrew's Presbyterian Weekday School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, private school, religious school. Website: http://www.standrewsweekday.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Religious school. View full profile →

  11. #11 — JWUMC Day School Score: 86%

    JWUMC Day School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, religious organization, church cathedral. Website: http://www.johnwesleyumcdayschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Religious organization, Church cathedral. View full profile →

  12. #12 — The Little Sage School Score: 84%

    The Little Sage School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, private school, elementary school. Website: http://littlesageschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Elementary school. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Oak Grove Montessori School Score: 80%

    Oak Grove Montessori School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.oakgrovemontessorischool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Riverland Terrace Day School Score: 77%

    Riverland Terrace Day School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool. Website: https://jamesislandbaptist.squarespace.com/school.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  15. #15 — The Reading Rainbow Academy Score: 77%

    The Reading Rainbow Academy is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: https://www.readingrainbowacademy.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Preschool Academy Score: 77%

    Preschool Academy is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://www.preschoolacad.com.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Lowcountry Children's Co-op Score: 73%

    Lowcountry Children's Co-op is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.lowcountrychildrensco-op.com.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  18. #18 — Live Oak Little School Score: 69%

    Live Oak Little School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, private school, elementary school. Website: http://www.liveoaklittleschool.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Elementary school. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Academy of Knowledge Score: 69%

    Academy of Knowledge is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.academyofknowledgesc.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  20. #20 — Green World School Score: 69%

    Green World School is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, school, home service. Website: http://www.exploregreenworld.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →

  21. #21 — Cadence Academy Preschool Score: 69%

    Cadence Academy Preschool is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://www.cadence-education.com/locations/sc/charleston/708?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=local_listing&utm_campaign=local_seo.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  22. #22 — C.A.R.E. Academy Score: 69%

    C.A.R.E. Academy is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://childish-things-2.myshopify.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  23. #23 — Sea Island Preschool Score: 60%

    Sea Island Preschool is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://www.seaislandpreschool.com.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  24. #24 — West Ashley Head Start Score: 57%

    West Ashley Head Start is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  25. #25 — N E Miles Early Childhood Development Center - College of Charleston Score: 49%

    N E Miles Early Childhood Development Center - College of Charleston is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  26. #26 — Holy Cross Island School Number 2 Score: 37%

    Holy Cross Island School Number 2 is a childcare center in Charleston, SC. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score percentage combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation such as NAEYC (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%), then normalizes across captured positive categories. Read our full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Charleston?
Big Blue Marble Academy Folly Road is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Charleston based on our Guide Score, which evaluates parent reviews, licensing status, accreditation, and quality signals. See the full ranked list above.
How are daycares ranked in Charleston?
Our Guide Score percentage combines weighted evidence from Google rating, review volume, web and contact presence, profile completeness, accreditation, press recognition, and years of operation, then normalizes across categories with captured positive evidence. There is no paid placement.
How much does daycare cost in Charleston?
Childcare costs in Charleston vary by program type and age group. Full-time infant care commonly ranges from $800–$2,500/month; preschool programs run $600–$1,800/month. Each center's profile page lists contact information for current rates.