Preschools in Charleston
11 preschools near Charleston, SC, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
Sundrops Montessori School - Palmetto Campus
A Montessori program on the Charleston peninsula serving infants through kindergarten.
Montessori Fountainhead School
A Montessori school located in downtown Charleston serving children ages 2.5 to 6.
Charles Towne Montessori School
A Montessori school in the West Ashley area of Charleston serving toddler through elementary ages.
Trinity Montessori School
A Montessori day school in West Ashley serving children from infancy through the elementary grades.
Ashley Hall Early School
A Reggio Emilia-inspired early school in downtown Charleston serving children ages two through five.
Green World School
A nature-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool on James Island serving children ages 2 to 5.
N.E. Miles Early Childhood Development Center
A Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood center on the College of Charleston campus downtown.
The O'Quinn Schools - James Island
A private preschool and kindergarten program located on James Island in Charleston.
Nativity Catholic School
A Catholic school on James Island offering a pre-kindergarten program alongside K-8 grades.
Cadence Academy Preschool - Charleston
A play-based preschool and child development center in the West Ashley area of Charleston.
Kids Garden Charleston
A play-based, child-centered learning center in West Ashley drawing on Montessori and Reggio ideas.
Preschool approaches in Charleston
The programs listed here include Montessori, Reggio Emilia and play-based. New to the differences? Compare Montessori vs. play-based, read what children learn in preschool, or browse all our guides.
Montessori preschools in Charleston
4 of the programs listed above are Montessori preschools — child-led, mixed-age classrooms with hands-on materials and long, focused work periods. New to the method? Read what Montessori is, compare Montessori vs. play-based, and see how much Montessori costs.
How much does preschool cost in Charleston?
Preschool tuition in Charleston depends on the program, the schedule (half-day vs. full-day), and the approach — Montessori and full-day private programs usually cost more than part-time or co-op options. Where a school publishes pricing it's shown on its listing above; otherwise ask the school for a current quote. Our guide on how much preschool costs shows how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies, TK, and Head Start that can lower it.
Guides for your preschool search
Preschools in other cities
Frequently asked questions
What preschool approaches are available in Charleston?
First Cubby lists Montessori, Reggio Emilia and play-based programs in Charleston, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in Charleston?
Preschool tuition in Charleston varies widely by program, schedule (half- vs. full-day), and approach — Montessori and full-day private programs typically cost more. Pricing is shown on a listing where the school publishes it; otherwise contact the school. Our guide on how much preschool costs explains how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies and free options.
Are there Montessori preschools in Charleston?
Yes — 4 Montessori programs are listed in Charleston above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in Charleston private?
Most standalone preschools in Charleston are private (tuition-based). Free and lower-cost options can exist too — Transitional Kindergarten, state pre-K, and Head Start — which our guides on preschool cost and how to afford preschool explain.
How do I choose a preschool in Charleston?
Shortlist nearby schools, then tour your top choices. Our guides on how to choose a preschool and the questions to ask on a tour walk you through it step by step.
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