My son went to the Columbia Children's Manor, off Red branch road. He started at 3 months and went until COVID (he was in pre-K by then). I really liked them. He was well cared for as a baby and toddler, and then for preschool/pre-K, the education was good. He's in hcpss now, and is above grade level. Many of his classmates at children's Manor ended up above grade level, too (one classmate from Children's Manor happens to also be in his elementary school class now).

The staff there were great. They also mostly stick around. Many of the teachers that were there when he was a baby were still there when COVID hit. The director was the same, too.

Or buy in a non-HOA community in Ellicott City. There are a few. The real estate listings for houses being sold should indicate that there's no HOA.