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About Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool in West Des Moines, IA
At Generation Next in West Des Moines, we are committed to nurturing the whole child in a secure, joyful, and developmentally rich environment. Located in the heart of West Des Moines, our early learning center serves children ages 6 weeks to 10 years, helping them grow into confident, curious, and compassionate learners.
We believe early childhood is the foundation for lifelong success. That’s why we combine our nationally recognized Ascend Curriculum® with purposeful play and individualized care to create meaningful experiences every single day. Whether your child is an infant, a toddler, or preparing for kindergarten, our dedicated teachers provide the tools, love, and structure children need to thrive.
Programs Offered at Generation Next West Des Moines
Nursery Program (6 Weeks – 6 Months)
Our nursery program fills your little ones days with activities that spur their individual development, help them socialize, and have fun all at the same time. Our kind, caring staff learn how to help each child feel safe, comfortable, and excited to learn through play.
Infant Program (6 Months – 12 Months)
Our infant classrooms are nurturing, peaceful, and developmentally appropriate. Infants are introduced to language, music, and movement through daily story-based activities. Teachers follow your child’s schedule and provide one-on-one interactions that support early milestones.
Toddler Program (12 Months – 2 Years)
Toddlers are active explorers! Our toddler curriculum includes language groups, music and movement, sensory play, fine motor activities, and art projects — all designed to foster independence, communication skills, and joyful discovery.
Preschool Program (2 – 4 Years)
Our preschoolers engage with the Read It Once Again® curriculum, a literature-based approach that uses repetition to reinforce key academic and developmental skills. Lessons cover phonemic awareness, math, writing, social studies, and science. We implement a three-phase structure:
- Large Group Instruction – introduces weekly concepts
- Small Group Guidance – for teacher interaction and support
- Center-Based Play – encouraging child-led exploration
Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten Readiness (4 – 5 Years)
In our Pre-K program, students receive focused instruction in early literacy and math using Heggerty Phonemic Awareness techniques. Children also develop writing fluency, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional confidence that ensures they are kindergarten-ready.
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.
Our Curriculum Philosophy
Generation Next West Des Moines follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum that grows with your child. We combine play-based learning with intentional instruction tailored to each individual child— to help them grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Key curriculum components include:
- Read It Once Again®: Literature-based repetition for vocabulary, sequencing, and motor development
- Heggerty Phonemic Awareness: Phonological sound play that supports reading mastery
- STEM Integration: Science, technology, engineering, art, and math infused through sensory play and discovery
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Peer collaboration, empathy, and positive behavior tools
Nutrition & Daily Wellness
We understand the importance of healthy food and active movement for growing minds. Generation Next West Des Moines provides:
- Freshly prepared meals and snacks daily
- Menus that meet USDA nutritional guidelines
- Allergy accommodations for common food sensitivities
- Daily outdoor play on our secure playgrounds to promote wellness and motor development
Safety & Family Communication
Your child’s safety and your peace of mind are top priorities. That’s why we offer:
- Secured entry systems with keycode access
- Daily health and safety checks
- Continuous monitoring of classrooms and playgrounds
- Open classroom boards displaying the weekly curriculum and classroom goals
Why Families in West Des Moines, IA Choose Us
- Trusted by West Des Moines families for over a decade
- Highly trained, compassionate teachers with early childhood credentials
- A balanced approach combining academic readiness and emotional wellness
- A strong partnership with families and the surrounding community
- A fun, stimulating, and safe learning environment that kids love
Visit Us Today!
Come see what makes Generation Next West Des Moines the premier choice for child care and early learning in West Des Moines, Iowa. We invite you to tour our classrooms, meet our educators, and explore how our curriculum helps children grow with confidence, compassion, and curiosity.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Hali Oberender
School Director
Hali and her husband, Chad, are residents of Martensdale, just South of Des Moines. Hali and Chad are always on the go with their two children, Ava and Nolan. Hali graduated from Grand View College with a BA in Elementary Education, but discovered working with younger children was where her heart was. She has been in the early childhood field since 2001, and in early childhood management since 2011. She joined the Generation Next team with the opening of our West Des Moines location in fall of 2015.
Sara Woody
Assistant Director
Sara has over twenty years of experience in child care, including two years of running her own in-home daycare in her home state of Idaho. She most recently worked as an educator in our Junior room until her promotion to Assistant Director in 2022. She and husband Randall moved to Iowa in 2006 to be nearer to family and for Randall to begin a career as General Manager at ABM Parking. Sara has been with us since opening our West Des Moines center in November of 2015. Sara, Randall, and their son Nicholas currently reside in Norwalk.
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.
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Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool
West Des Moines, IA
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