Best Daycares in Charleston, SC — Independent Quality Ratings
Of Charleston's 95 daycares, 83 (87%) hold a 4 or 5 star rating from Childery, above South Carolina's statewide rate of 73%. Locally, providers average 3.0 stars on Process inputs (state QRIS, NAEYC and other accreditation, federal Head Start CLASS scores) and 4.4 stars on Structural inputs (state regulatory baseline plus provider-level licensing data), compared with South Carolina averages of 2.9 on Process and 4.6 on Structural.
The local market includes 86 centers, 1 group child care home, and 8 family child care homes, a lower home-based share than South Carolina's average of 29%.
Listed alphabetically below are some of the highest-rated providers in Charleston. Childery ranks providers using publicly auditable inputs: state QRIS scores, NAEYC-aligned ratios and group sizes, and federal CCDBG training coverage. See the South Carolina methodology page for the full breakdown.
Rating Distribution in Charleston
Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Charleston: 4.2 (Sample of 95).
Process rating across all displayed daycares in Charleston: 3.0 (Sample of 31).
Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Charleston: 4.4 (Sample of 95).
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Some of the Best Daycares in Charleston
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many licensed daycares are in Charleston?
- There are 95 licensed child care providers in Charleston.
- What percentage of Charleston daycares have high quality ratings?
- 87% of Charleston daycares hold 4 or 5 stars on Childery's composite rating, compared to 73% statewide in South Carolina.
- What types of childcare are available in Charleston?
- 86 center-based, 9 home-based providers operate in Charleston.
- How do Charleston daycares score on teaching quality compared to the rest of South Carolina?
- Charleston daycares average 3.0 out of 5 stars on Childery's Process score (teaching quality, QRIS ratings, and accreditations), compared to a South Carolina statewide average of 2.9.
- Is there financial help for childcare in South Carolina?
- South Carolina offers childcare subsidies and assistance programs for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in South Carolina
All 95 Daycares in Charleston
- C.A.R.E. Academy
- Cadence Academy Preschool
- Cainhoy Children's Academy
- Carla Champion
- Carolina Bay Child Development Center
- Carousel Early Childhood Center
- Charles Towne Montessori School
- Charles Webb Center
- Charleston Catholic School
- Charleston Progressive Academy
- Charleston Progressive Elementary Kaleidoscope Afterschool Program
- Clements Ferry KinderCare
- Coastal Academy of Otranto
- Coastal Blooms Learning Academy LLC
- Crescent Child Development Center
- Marian L Smalls
- Mason Preparatory School
- Meeting Street Academy
- Memminger Elementary Kaleidoscope Afterschool Program
- Messy Monkeys Child Care Center
- Michelle A Meggett
- Midland Park Elementary Kaleidoscope Afterschool Program
- Midland Park Primary School Head Start
- Mitchell Elementary Kaleidoscope
- Montessori Fountainhead School
- Mt Sinai Christian Learning Center
- Murray LaSaine Elementary Kaleidoscope Afterschool Program
- Sanders Clyde Elementary
- Second Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten
- Smart Cookies Early Childhood Center
- Smart Cookies Preschool
- Springfield Elementary Kaleidoscope Afterschool Program
- St. James Day School
- Stiles Point Elem AfterSchool Kaleidoscope Program
- Stono Park Elem AfterSchool Program
- Sundrops Montessori - Daniel Island
- Sundrops Montessori School Palmetto Campus
- Sunshine House #29