Bright Horizons Preschool in Columbia

Early Education & Preschool That's More Than Daycare

When selecting a preschool program, working parents don't need to choose between convenience and quality. Bright Horizons in Columbia prioritizes school readiness while also offering flexible schedules all year round.

 

Find openings at preschools near you! 

Toddler at a Bright Horizons center

A Proven Approach for School Readiness

What parents and teachers have to say about Bright Horizons graduates

97%

of parents report their child entered elementary school prepared and ready to meet the demands of their new school.

Skills for the Modern World

Our integrated and emergent curriculum gives young children the ability to expand beyond strong foundations in reading, writing, and math to understand not just what to learn, but how to learn.

98%

of Bright Horizons’ parents and teachers agree Bright Horizons’ graduates entered elementary school with a strong enthusiasm for learning.

Developing a Growth Mindset

Bright Horizons teachers encourage children to ask questions, fostering more than just an interest in facts -- but a thirst to understand how things work.

97%

of parents said their child entered school with the ability to approach a challenge in an innovative or creative way.

Developing Executive Function

In our classrooms, education is more than facts and figures, but inspires children to innovate, problem solve, and apply information in creative and resourceful manners.

93%

of teachers agree that the Bright Horizons’ graduates in their classrooms were well prepared with the literacy and math skills they needed for academic success.

Prepared for 21st Century Skills

Our graduates leave our centers confident students who are ready to manage the academic, social, and behavioral expectations of the first year of elementary school and beyond.

94%

of teachers said that Bright Horizons graduates were ready to accept new responsibilities and greater independence.

Social-Emotional Learning

Curriculum elements such as Caring Matters and Toward a Better World support important social skills, helping children to express themselves, resolve conflict, and work cooperatively with classmates and teachers.

Explore Preschool in Columbia

We have a number of convenient locations throughout West Columbia, Cayce, Arthurtown, Shandon, Woodhill Estates, Forest Acres, and Earlewood.


With 2 convenient Columbia area locations, we're never far from your home or workplace.

Bright Horizons at The Columbia Federal Center

1835 Assembly Street, Suite 113, Strom Thurmond Building
Columbia, SC 29201
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Bright Horizons at University of South Carolina

1530 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29201
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Our Other Programs

Early Education Programs

Providing experiences that capture the joys of childhood and pave the way for success in school and life.

Daycare in Columbia

Preparing children for school through academic and social learning.

Summer Programs in Columbia

Action-packed days, engaging projects, fun and educational activities, and more at Bright Horizons Preschools & Daycares.

What Questions Should I Ask a Preschool Provider?
 

I've looked at other preschools in Columbia that have long waitlists. What if I want to enroll at a Columbia Bright Horizons center but space is not available?

OPEN

You can select up to 3 Bright Horizons child care locations to be registered at, including the center you are most interested in. By registering, you are confirming your strong interest in all 3 centers. We will add you to our wait list and you will be offered a space as soon as one becomes available. While waiting for a space to become available at your first choice location, many families will choose to enroll at their 2nd or 3rd choice temporarily until space becomes available at the center they are most interested in. In many centers, a child currently enrolled at a Bright Horizons location has priority over the general community so enrolling at another location will not only solve your care needs but will also give you additional priority in getting into your 1st preference. Our goal is to accommodate families as soon as space allows. During the entire process, we will keep in touch with you regarding your status.

Find Preschools in Columbia


Can we start preschool at Bright Horizons in Columbia in the summer?

OPEN

Yes! We have age-appropriate programs for preschool and Kindergarten Prep that run year-round. Many families choose to begin a preschool program in the summer, before the rush of back-to-school in the fall.

What is the background check process for preschool staff at Bright Horizons Columbia?

OPEN

Bright Horizons conducts a comprehensive background check on all prospective employees and frequent visitors. In Columbia, the state of SC Department of Youth and Families requires background checks for employees of a daycare or licensed child care facility.

Bright Horizons background checks consist of a county criminal record check for the past seven years performed in all counties that a person has lived, worked or attended school. In addition to the county criminal search, a sex offender search, OFAC search, and a social security verification trace are also conducted.

Is it safe to send my child to a Columbia daycare or preschool?

OPEN
We continue to monitor state and local public health guidelines, look to our medical expert, and use our considerable experience to guide our health and safety practices. We’re prepared to respond quickly and adjust those health and safety practices as needed.

Do Bright Horizons daycare centers follow state/local requirements for masking and vaccinations?

OPEN

Where there are additional state or local requirements, for example around vaccination/masking, Bright Horizons also complies with applicable legal requirements in each jurisdiction in which we operate.

Are preschool staff at Bright Horizons in Columbia trained in CPR and First Aid?

OPEN
All Bright Horizons Columbia staff are trained regularly in CPR /First Aid and Universal Precautions. You can feel confident that your child is safe and receiving the best care possible while in our care. Families of children in our care use the MyBrightDay app to get photos, real-time updates on care, learning, and milestones, and stay up to date on important notifications.

What do children learn in Columbia preschool?
 

OPEN

In the preschool program at Bright Horizons, we focus our daily experiences on comprehensive, optimum development of each child: mind, body, social self, and character. Here's how we do it:

Preparing Children for Success in Life by:

  1. Approaching life as an invitation to learn
  2. Becoming a confident and competent lifelong learner
  3. Becoming a confident and competent user of technology
  4. Developing emotional intelligence: personal power and social skills

Preparation for Academic Excellence by:

  1. Developing the social and cognitive skills necessary for school success
  2. Achieving excellence in language and literacy
  3. Developing an engaged, reflective, inquisitive mind and appreciation of science
  4. Achieving excellence in logical/mathematical understanding
Providing a Rich and Rewarding Childhood by focusing on:
  1. Happy days
  2. Wonderful relationships
  3. A World of experience

How much does preschool in Columbia cost?
 

OPEN
Preschool tuition in Columbia is dependent upon your child’s age, developmental level, and the location of the school you have chosen. To get a customized tuition quote for Bright Horizons in Columbia, please set up a Zoom meeting with us. Our center staff can talk through your family's needs to help calculate what tuition would look like for you.

Does Bright Horizons in Columbia have a daycare preschool program?

OPEN

Yes. Most of our locations offer preschool and kindergarten preparation programs for children to start working on getting ready for school. We're happy to schedule a safe, personalized Zoom visit for parents who would like to learn about why Bright Horizons can offer more than a daycare. Come see what school readiness at Bright Horizons in Columbia looks like.

How can I find child care when my preschool in Columbia is closed?
 

OPEN
Having a sitter or two familiar with your family can be extremely helpful when you need back-up care. With the Sittercity app, you can search for local babysitters and nannies or post a job detailing your needs and have interested child care providers reach out directly to you. Sittercity has built-in screening tools to give you the control to hire with ease and confidence. This includes secure messaging, interview booking, professional references, and running background checks.

Is Bright Horizons hiring preschool teachers in Columbia?

 

OPEN

Yes. Please visit our careers site to view all active Bright Horizons job openings in your area. Our careers site allows you to search for all open positions (part-time, full-time, and temporary) in our centers, including positions at client center that only enroll families who work for specific employers.

Is Bright Horizons a good place to work in Columbia?

OPEN

Yes, but don’t just take our word for it! We’ve been named 20 times as one of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For, and are honored to be the only child care company to ever make the list.

How are working parents supported by Bright Horizons in Columbia?

OPEN

Bright Horizons in Columbia supports the whole family because we know that success at work and success at home go hand-in-hand. We designed our centers, programs, and schedules to keep the needs of both children and parents in mind. 

Does Bright Horizons have summer preschool in Columbia?

OPEN
We have a partnership with Steve and Kate's camp locations as well as our Summer Explorations programs for children ages 3-5 and 6-12. 

Does Bright Horizons in Columbia allow children with special needs to enroll in preschool?

OPEN
Yes! Bright Horizons in Columbia can successfully accommodate a wide range of special needs and individual differences in our preschool programs. We believe in inclusive programs to focus on each child’s strengths. We support a collaborative team approach – the teacher, director, specialists, and parents. The team will work closely together to try to maximize each child’s opportunities for learning, growth, and development, and to attempt to eliminate any barriers or safety issues which a preschool program may present.

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