Philosophy and Brief History

Choo Choo ChildCare is a state licensed child care program for school age children before and after school, wrap-around care for 4 year old kindergarten, a 3 year old full day child care program and a half day preschool. During the summer, our Kid’s Club programs have full day child care for children ages 3-12.

Our purpose is to provide children with care in a safe and warm environment while their parents are at work or tending to other personal business. To do this we provide the children with a relaxed atmosphere where they are free to do many different educational and diverse activities.

The Kid’s Club program originated in 1997 at Bristol Elementary School by Joyce Thornton of Joyce’s Preschool. Her programs have included Joyce’s Preschool, Kid’s Club, Polliwogs and Caterpillars, and the Kid’s Stuff Child Care Centers. In 1982 Joyce began Joyce’s Preschool with just 8 children in the basement of her home. Over the past 30 years, Joyce’s programs have grown from that little half day preschool into before and after school child care programs, full day child care for babies, infants and toddlers, 3 year olds, 4 year olds and school age children.

These programs were developed and operated by Joyce Thornton for over 30 years and now she has passed her experience and knowledge to her son Rob Thornton. Along with growning up in a home with a child care center, he has worked in the education field for the past 20 years.

In 1994 Rob, graduated from Westosha Central High School, he then started working for Joyce’s Preschool and Daycare. He has received credentials and worked as an assistant child care teacher, lead teacher, child care director and most currently as a child care administrator. Along with his experience in child care, he has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin Parkside with a Teaching License for Grades 1-9.

In 2004, Rob established Choo Choo ChildCare, Ltd. and became the new owner of Joyce’s Preschool and Kid’s Club Before and After School Child Care Program at Bristol Grade School. Over the  past 8 years, Choo Choo ChildCare has expanded the Kid’s Club programs to Wheatland Center School in 2006, then to Salem Grade School and Riverview School in 2008. In 2012 Choo Choo Child Care expanded to Trevor-Wilmot Elementary School Then in 2014 to Randall Elementary School. As of 2017 Choo Choo Child Care also offers care at Brighton Elementary School.