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Child care center 

Big Blue Marble Academy

1517 Lake Murray Blvd, Columbia, SC 292124.4· 69 reviews
licensed capacity
255
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$199
Call (803) 661-9591WebsiteDirections

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Big Blue Marble Academy

Big Blue Marble Academy is a licensed child care center in Columbia, South Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 255 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education made 3 visits in the last 3 years and cited 2 rules across 1 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Ask the daycare
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
255 children

Hours

Hours

Monday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

Licensed capacity255 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Big Blue Marble Academy has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Lexington County has a median price of $199 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Lexington County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$199
Home daycare$138

Toddler

Center$185
Home daycare$138

Preschool

Center$181
Home daycare$133

School age

Center$138
Home daycare$89

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Big Blue Marble Academy

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
License
Capacity
255 children
License number
#26296
See the state's record

Summary

3 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jul 15, 2026: no rules cited

Rules cited on 1 of 3 visits · 2 rules in all · 2 corrected

  • Supervision and ratios 1
  • Food and nutrition 1

For comparison: 60% of South Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 1.

A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record

See all 3 visits
  1. Jul 15, 2026VisitNo rules cited
  2. Nov 13, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratiosHigh severity

      Direct Supervision

      Corrected during the visit

    • Food and nutritionHigh severity

      Feeding, Eating, and Drinking

      Corrected during the visit

  3. Nov 10, 2025InspectionNo rules cited

Copied from South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2023. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

Reviews

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FAQ

Questions about Big Blue Marble Academy

Is Big Blue Marble Academy licensed?

Yes. South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Big Blue Marble Academy last inspected?

South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education lists the most recent visit on July 15, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 3 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Big Blue Marble Academy had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 2 rules across 1 of 3 visits in the last 3 years; 2 show a correction in the state record. For comparison: 60% of South Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 1. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

How many children can Big Blue Marble Academy care for?

255, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Big Blue Marble Academy's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Big Blue Marble Academy cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (803) 661-9591 to ask.

What is Big Blue Marble Academy's phone number?

(803) 661-9591.

Where is Big Blue Marble Academy?

1517 Lake Murray Blvd, Columbia, SC 29212. The nearest other daycare we list is Creative Learning Place, 0.3 miles away.

Sources: South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).