Schedule A Tour
Meet with our staff and experience the school in person. Book a tour using our online scheduler.
Schedule my tourPricing & Availability
Find out about pricing and availability by talking to our experts.
- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- School Resources
- Reviews
About Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool in Urbandale, IA
At Generation Next Urbandale, we are committed to nurturing the whole child through a secure, joyful, and rich environment.
Located in the heart of Urbandale, Iowa, our early learning center serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 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 research-based curriculum, purposeful play, and individualized care to create meaningful experiences every single day. Whether your child is an infant, a toddler, or a budding school-age explorer, Generation Next provides the tools, love, and structure they need to thrive.
Programs Offered at Generation Next Urbandale
Nursery Program (6 Weeks – 6 Months)
Our nursery program nurtures your baby’s growth with safe, comforting routines and engaging early activities.
Infant Program (6 Weeks – 12 Months)
Infants enjoy daily introductions to language, music, and movement in calm, nurturing classrooms that follow each child’s unique schedule.
Toddler Program (12 Months – 2 Years)
Toddlers are active explorers! Our toddler curriculum includes morning language groups, music and movement, sensory bins, fine motor activities, and art projects. Each activity is designed to encourage independence, motor development, and early communication skills.
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 – allows for teacher interaction
- Center-Based Play – offers child-led exploration and practice
Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten Readiness (4 – 5 Years)
Pre-K students prepare for kindergarten with Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, early math and writing, and social-emotional development. Teachers focus on confidence-building and peer collaboration alongside academics.
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 Urbandale follows a developmentally appropriate curriculum that grows with your child. We combine play-based learning with intentional instruction to develop the whole child—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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA Choose Us
- Trusted by Urbandale 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 community
- A fun, stimulating, and safe learning environment that kids love
Visit Us Today!
Come see what makes Generation Next Urbandale the premier choice for child care and early learning in Urbandale, 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
Paula Garza
School Director
Paula is a resident of Des Moines with her husband, Randy. Originally from South Texas, Paula attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa and graduated with a degree Elementary Education with endorsements in early childhood, reading, special education, and coaching. She most recently worked at Head Start in Osceola where she was the director and head pre-school teacher. She maintains the Aurora Business Park curriculum and relationships with our students, parents, and staff alongside Kristy.
Kristy Scherr
School Director
Kristy is a resident of Johnston with her husband, Michael. Kristy attended the University of Northern Iowa double majoring in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and graduated with a Bachelor Degree is Education. Beginning in 2009, Kristy had been a Senior teacher at our Johnston location, helping with managerial duties until her promotion to Director in 2020. She now works out of our Aurora Business Park location in Urbandale, assisting Paula in the curriculum, administration, and care of that center.
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.
Reviews from Parents
A Sawyer • Google
Maggie Abbas • Google
Ross Sickora • Google
Jordanne Oleson • Google
Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool
Urbandale, IA
Leave us a Review
We want to learn about your experience with Generation Next Child Development Center & Preschool. Please take a moment to share your experience with us and let us know how we are doing.
