Kids Garden Offers by the Hour, Drop-in Childcare Alternative & More

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This post is sponsored by Kids Garden, however, all opinions expressed are our own.

As a stay-at-home mom with a part-time job, finding reliable childcare for appointments, errands, and date nights was becoming more of a headache than it was worth.

We moved to Mount Pleasant in April of 2020, and during COVID it was difficult (if not impossible) to find someone willing to come into my home that the kids enjoyed and I trusted. A neighbor casually mentioned Kids Garden, a drop-in creative arts learning center that was designed specifically with moms like me in mind. A quick Google search led me to discover nothing but 5-star reviews, an incredible story about Maren (the local mom who created the place), and image after image of kids having fun and learning in a magically decorated, perfectly clean learning center. So I signed up!

Kids Garden. Preschool, Drop off Childcare, and More

I love that they didn’t take a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ because families have different needs during different seasons. Kids Garden offers so many options from no commitment hourly drop-in services to membership packages to monthly preschool students. They will absolutely have an option that is the right fit for you and your family! You can even give a friend, neighbor, or family member a gift card to Kids Garden…so you’re basically providing them peace of mind, quality care, and an enriching environment for the children. What a thoughtful present!

What’s really interesting about Kids Garden is that they offer a Preschool program during the school year (in addition to their drop-off service), so their staff is filled with Early Childhood Educators, moms, and nannies. The facility is also very ‘green’ since Kids Garden uses Eco-friendly supplies whenever possible and even offers organic snacks and lunches! It’s the type of place every mom can feel confident leaving their children in. Safe, green, creative, and fun.

That’s Cute, but My Kids are Older

You may be reading this thinking ‘that’s cute, but my kids are older.’ Do you want to beat the heat and keep your children engaged and learning this summer? Does your child keep saying “I’m bored” or are they are racking up more screen time day after day? Send them to an enrichment class at Kids Garden! With subjects like Kids Yoga, Math Magicians and Lego Learning, Recycled Building, and Eco Art, Kids Garden’s Enrichment Classes are perfect for children 10 and under. Sign them up with a friend to keep them out of the heat and off of their screens!

Kids Garden has designed a program specifically for your older children: Junior Explorer Club. Yup, they have literally thought of everything! This program inspires children to plug into nature by exploring various parts of the Lowcountry. They feature an after-school program as well as their Summer Outdoor Camp, and both are designed to decrease stress, promote teamwork and friendship, and get kids out in the fresh air! If you are looking for an excellent after-school program for this next school year, definitely check them out first.

Date Night Without a Sitter

Recently my husband and I decided we were long overdue for a date night, so we booked both of our children for one of their Parents Night Out. The evening was themed as a luau with proper decorations, face paintings, pizza, and FUN! I was able to leave both of my children for three hours while my husband and I drank margaritas, ate tacos, and explored downtown Charleston knowing that our children were safe and genuinely enjoying their evening as well. When we picked them up, their sweet painted faces were filled with excitement and a touch of exhaustion.

I personally enjoyed this so much more than just booking a sitter who might let them watch tv for three hours. They didn’t feel like we left them…instead, they felt like we booked them a night at a party. Perfect. If you’re looking for an evening to yourself, definitely check their schedule for the next Parents Night Out and book early. It’s a very popular service that they offer, and I can see why. We’re already signing up again!

Speaking of Parties…

Kids Garden offers private birthday parties where you not only have the entire facility to yourselves, you also have access to their personalized party planning, creative crafts, air-conditioned facility, and an option for parents to stay or go. Both of my children have birthdays in March, and I’ll be honest, they have already asked me to look into it. Happy kiddos, happy mom!

Thinking About Visiting Kids Garden?

Kids Garden has two convenient locations in the Charleston area: one downtown and one in South Mount Pleasant. They have two additional locations in Asheville, North Carolina and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Have friends in Houston, TX? Tell them to be on the lookout for their own Kids Garden later this year. With such a well-executed concept, I hope we will see more and more Kids Garden’s pop up!

Here’s how to get connected:

Visit their website
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Katie Finch
Katie Finch is an Alabama native who spent the past nine years living in sunny Jupiter, Florida where she co-owned three Uptown Art (think wine and painting) studios with her sister for seven years. She graduated from Auburn with a degree in Marketing, so her role was all things marketing, cross promotion, advertising, social media, and event planning. After selling the studios, she and her husband relocated to the Charleston area with their two children (David who is 3 1/2 and Selwin Mae who is 1 1/2) in April, and she can honestly say they are loving every day here! They love the Southern hospitality, scrumptious food, and exploring this great city. In her free time Katie enjoy walking, listening to worship music, a (stereotypical) bubble bath, and watching the Bachelor. She also loves a strong cup of coffee, anything with chocolate, and a well-rounded glass of Pinot Noir.