Accreditations & Licensing

The Standards We Hold Ourselves To

Licensing, accreditation, and the bar we set for every child

Happy little children are sitting on the floor in the kindergarten and playing with toys.
The Promise

What Makes Our Schools Special

Every one of our schools meets state licensing requirements, but we believe great early education goes beyond meeting standards. Our commitment is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. That belief guides everything we do.

GOING FURTHER

Accreditations and Quality Programs

Licensing provides an important foundation, and many of our schools choose to build on it through additional accreditations and quality initiatives. These programs often focus on areas such as curriculum, teacher development, and family engagement. Because each school is unique, your director can share details about the programs and recognitions offered at your location.

Standards are a Daily Practice

A standard only matters if it holds on an ordinary Tuesday. Here's how ours do.

Inspected and Accountable

Regular reviews help ensure our schools maintain high standards, and we welcome them because outside accountability is good for children.

Trained Beyond Minimum

Teachers complete required training each year, plus ongoing professional development, so growth doesn't stop at the requirement.

Curriculum Consistently Delivered

Our school curriculum guides classrooms across our family of schools, so quality of learning doesn't depend on which school you choose.

A Team Watching the Details

Behind every school, a dedicated support team works on training, resources, and quality, catching the small things before they become big ones.

How to Choose a School

Choosing care is a big decision. Here's how families usually find their fit.

Start With Your Priorities

Start with your family's needs: location, hours, ages, and the feel you want when you walk in the door. Knowing your priorities makes every other step easier.

Learn About The School

Explore programs, meet the director, and ask your questions, from daily routines to how teachers communicate. Good schools love the questions; they mean you care.

Come See It for Yourself

Nothing beats a visit. Schedule a tour, watch the classrooms in action, and trust what you see and feel. That gut feeling at drop-off matters.

Why Our Families Trust Us

Alanna McNamee
Coastal Academy - North Charleston
"My son (4 yrs old) and I absolutely love Coastal Academy in North Charleston! We were so upset when we had to leave due to my recent job relocation. At the time I was new to the Charleston area, and I was panicking about where my son was going to start pre-school. I had a couple of friends say to check out Coastal Academy due to its good reputation, etc; i immediately inquired and was so impressed. Once a spot opened up for Leo in the pre-school class, I was so relieved and happy! Not only did my son love going to school there each day; but the teachers, learning curriculum, professionalism, teaching styles, activities, etc. was everything I was hoping for! Misty, Ms. Nakita, and the rest of Leo’s teachers were so amazing and sweet; they really had an amazing impact on Leo! Thank you Coastal! We miss you!"
Blanyi Escalante de Chuello
Coastal Academy - Hanahan
"My son has been at Coastal Academy - Hanahan for a year and we love it! He's happy, learning his daily routine, obsessed with story time 📚, and doing great with potty training thanks to his awesome teachers. Love the monthly Parents' Night too. Highly recommend! 💙"
Janet Brendli
Coastal Academy - Hanahan
"Overall things are wonderful!!! Everyone genuinely loves the kids and it shows! My daughter loves the activities and is always excited to share what she has learned. Gave only 4 stars since sometimes teachers discuss kids when it’s to talk negatively about them instead of regarding transfer of care. Sometimes it is also forgotten that they are young children and sometimes the things they say and do are because they are trying to figure out life too. " Our daughter absolutely loves her teachers (shoutout to Ms. Hope!), and it gives us so much peace of mind knowing how loved and well taken care of she is throughout the day. Receiving updates and pictures throughout the day truly makes our day and gives us so much reassurance knowing she’s happy, learning, and having fun while we’re away from her. They do such a great job incorporating learning, outdoor play, and fun into her days, and they even provide lunch and snacks. As busy parents, it’s so nice not having to worry about packing a million things for school every morning because they truly do it all! We couldn’t be happier with our experience and are so thankful to be part of the Lakestones community."
Caitlyn OBrien
Coastal Academy - Hanahan
"My daughter attended a military preschool and it felt like she wasn’t learning or being challenged. Within her first month in Miss Tika’s class I can see so much growth in my child. Her vocabulary is expanding, she’s asking more grown questions, she is showing more independence. It feels like her teacher really tries to connect with each student and I love hearing about her day."
Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What does "licensed" actually mean?

It means the state has verified the school meets its standards for ratios, safety, staff screening and training, and daily operations, and continues to check. Licensing is enforceable: schools that fall short face real consequences, which is exactly why it matters.

State requirements vary a little from state to state, but our expectations don't. Every school in our family follows the same approach to learning, the same safety practices, and the same commitment to trained, background-checked teachers.

Watch the classrooms: engaged children, attentive teachers, clean and secure spaces, and a rhythm everyone seems to know. Our guide to choosing a school walks through exactly what to look for, and every question worth asking on a tour.

Take the First Step Today

One step closer to an exceptional education for your child, every day.

Find Your Local School

Five schools across the Charelston area, and one near you