Our twins (girl/boy, age 2.5 years) started attending the Andover location a few months ago. We did an EXTENSIVE search around the area, looking at places that were cheaper and more expensive than Next Generation. I can tell you, without a doubt, that NG is the best. Here is why:
1) Comparisons: Whenever I walked into any of the other daycares (within a 20 mile radius) - of which I looked at about 5 others, I sensed the kids were unhappy and trying to make the best of a bad situation. The rooms had grime, the grounds were minimal for playing, and the indoor play areas were small and over crowded. When I walked into NG, I immediately noticed three things that stood out. They place was clean, very clean...and come to find out they clean it every night with professional cleaners, including the toys. Second, the people were happy...not just the kids, but the teachers. Third, the grounds, both indoor and outdoor were by far the most spacious I had seen. There is an indoor play area for each age group, and it is large and nice...like a school gym almost. There are three major outdoor areas, one of which is semi-enclosed to allow playing when it is drizzling or raining.
2) Thoroughness: Like the other reviewers said, they call you when there is something wrong. They let you know a status report each day and let you know what is going on. They do laundry for you, they cook meals for your kids, they change the kids every 3 hours. It is very structured and a tight ship but at the same time that rigidness is masked by the friendliness they present so it is not like a rigid place when you interact.
3) Learning: My kids have learned a lot there; they have learned behavour, washing, brushing, some beginnings of the alphabet, etc.
4) Staff/Teacher Ratio: I ALWAYS see a higher staff/teacher ratio than the state requires. Always. When I drop my twins off, there is usually a 5:1 ratio. When I pick them up it is worst case 7:1. The state requires 9:1. Many times they have 2 major teachers plus 1 assistent. There always seems to be at least 2 and sometimes 3 teachers in the room whenever I show up.
5) The people: My twins attitude toward their teachers says it all. They run to, what I call "mama bear' because she reminds of that the way she treats them, and hugs them in the morning when I drop them off. There is clearly caring and love there. Now I am sure most daycares have that, otherwise the people that work in the industry would burn out in 6 months. Nonetheless, I can tell you that at some of the "snootier" places I looked at which were more expensive than NG, I noticed there was almost a lack of being down-to-earth. Many of the teachers here have degrees in early education I noticed too, yet none of them are unapproachable that I have seen.
We just received a call from a facility we were wait listed on last year and they are cheaper per child and literally right next door to my work. Yet, paying more money, driving out of the way a bit, and not having my children be on-site with me at work are all worth it when I look at the overall experience they are getting at NG. read more
