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- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- School Resources
About Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool in Ankeny, IA
At Generation Next Ankeny, we provide families with a safe, joyful, and developmentally rich environment where children can thrive. Serving children from 6 weeks through 5 years, our programs combine nurturing care, hands-on learning, and proven curriculum to prepare children for a lifetime of success.
We are proud to partner with Ankeny families, helping children build curiosity, confidence, and kindness every day.
Programs Offered at Generation Next Ankeny
Nursery Program (6 Weeks – 6 Months)
Our nursery program supports early development through loving care, playful interaction, and consistent routines that help babies feel safe and engaged.
Infant Program (6 Months – 12 Months)
Infant classrooms introduce language, music, and movement through daily story-based activities. Teachers follow each child’s routine, providing comfort and one-on-one support.
Toddler Program (12 Months – 2 Years)
Toddlers enjoy hands-on exploration through music, sensory bins, art, and fine motor activities. Structured routines help build independence and early communication skills.
Preschool Program (2 – 4 Years)
Preschoolers engage with the Read It Once Again® curriculum, which uses repetition and story-based learning to reinforce math, literacy, and social-emotional development. Small group instruction paired with play gives children the best of both worlds.
Pre-Kindergarten (4 – 5 Years)
Pre-K students prepare for kindergarten with Heggerty Phonemic Awareness lessons, early math and writing practice, and peer collaboration. Teachers help children develop confidence in both academics and group settings.
School-Age Enrichment (5 – 10 Years)
Our “Graduates” enjoy dynamic after-school and summer programs with hands-on learning and fun. Activities include:
- Writing and reading centers
- Creative art stations
- Games and team-building
- Cooking and science labs
In the summer, we offer themed weekly camps and three field trips per week to enrich every child’s experience.
Kids Café Preschool Cooking Program
Cooking Up Confidence, One Recipe at a Time
Kids Café is a hands-on cooking program where children explore new foods, build confidence, and develop essential life skills through fun, guided kitchen experiences.
Program Highlights:
- Designed for ages 3+
- Weekly sessions over a 12-week program
- Hands-on cooking activities and kid-friendly recipes
- Builds teamwork, sharing, and communication skills
- Encourages problem-solving and following directions
- Supports early math, literacy, and critical thinking
- Includes a take-home cooking kit for continued fun
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Our Curriculum Approach
We build the whole child through:
- Read It Once Again® literature-based repetition
- Group and center-based learning flow
- Heggerty sound awareness training
- STEAM discovery and age-appropriate problem solving
- Social-emotional learning tools integrated throughout
Nutrition & Wellness
Children at Generation Next Ankeny enjoy:
- Daily fresh meals and snacks prepared with health in mind
- Menus tailored to meet nutritional needs and allergy guidelines
- Time to move, breathe, and play outdoors every day
Safety & Communication
- Secure keypad entry and monitored classrooms
- Transparent classroom displays with curriculum objectives
- A warm, open-door policy for family engagement
Why Families in Ankeny, IA Choose Us
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Trusted by Ankeny families for over a decade
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Accredited by NAEYC for high standards in early education
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Dedicated, caring teachers who partner with parents
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Balanced focus on academics, social-emotional growth, and character development
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A safe, community-centered environment that children love
Visit Us Today!
Explore how Generation Next Ankeny combines early academics, emotional development, and play to help your child succeed. We’d love to welcome you for a tour and introduce you to our vibrant learning community.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Samantha Cornelius
School Director
Samantha started working at Generation Next in 2013 as an educator in the graduate classroom. In the summer of 2017, Sam was promoted to Training Development Supervisor and in 2020 was again promoted to Director of our Ankeny location after completion of her Director’s Certification. Sam has spent clinical hours in both elementary and secondary education for Ankeny Community School District. She currently resides in Ankeny with her daughter, Willow.
Madison Thielen
Assistant Director
Madison started working at Generation Next in 2014 starting out as a floating educator. Then she worked as a full-time teacher in the toddler classroom and the sophomore classroom, all while attending DMACC and ultimately earning her associate’s degree. In 2022 Madison then got promoted to Assistant Director working alongside Samantha. She is resided in Ankeny with her husband, Sam and their daughter, Rae. Madison grew up in Ankeny and graduated in 2015 from Ankeny High school. “Generation Next is home to me. I started here when I was 16 years old and it has always been a place of comfort to me. Every family has touched my heart in so many ways, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
School Calendar
🔗 2025-2026 Save The Date Calendar
School Menu
To Register
You are welcome at any time, scheduled or unscheduled, to come and tour any of our Generation Next locations. During this time you will have the opportunity to discuss our program as well as enrollment availability and we will answer any questions you may have.
To enroll, a signed Registration Form will need to be completed along with a $100.00 one time, non-refundable registration fee per child. Payment of this fee secures and guarantees you a place in the center on the date guaranteed up to 30 days of your requested start date. Once you have a child enrolled in the center, all new registrations decrease to $50 per child.
All completed paperwork, including physical and immunization records, are due on or by the first day of attendance. Please note that we do require immunizations for children to enroll and to be updated as required by the State of Iowa Immunization Requirements.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
