Choo Choo Train Project

We stumbled upon Choo Choo by accident and soon realized it was one of the best kept secrets in Brooklyn. We sent both our kids to Choo Choo and have watched their creativity thrive under the care of Ms. Ela and her amazing group of teachers. Ms. Ela and her teachers have done an outstanding job of encouraging the kids to explore their intellectual curiosity, take risks and see their ideas through — critical skills that have already and will continue to serve them well in public school. Ms. Ela has created a wonderful parent community as well. Choo Choo is a real treasure and we feel very lucky to have found it.

And I’d choose more stars if it was possible. Both my grand daughters have been to Choo Choo Train. I have been their three days a week babysitter for the past six years, so I’ve spent plenty of time at Choo Choo picking them up. The four year old after being there for only a couple of weeks last September said, «Grandma, I like when you come late… There’s more time to play here». She has another year year there. Ms Ela is one of those early childhood GENIUS Educators! They have raised baby ducks, made a Thanksgiving feast outside in the back yard, talked about what happened to some of their neighbors after hurricane Sandy, and collected food and supplies for those people… The children love going to Choo Choo, and come home full new ideas and feeling loved, confident and secure. The teachers are amazing, relaxed, related, and creative. I am a clinical psychologist and trained psychoanalyst. I cannot think of a better place for children to be than at Choo Choo Train.

We visited a lot of prospective preschools before enrolling our 3 year old daughter into Choo Choo Train. This school is a standout because it has a close-​knit atmosphere, a very creative-​centered curriculum, clean and orderly facilities, and a deeply caring staff in Ms. Ela (the director) and the teachers. The first week, our daughter was making Andy Goldsworthy-​inspired nature sculptures in the school’s backyard with her classmates; At home, she made up lyrics to a song on her guitar imitating Mr. Chris, the music teacher, who also played live guitar to the children. This school instilled in my daughter a love of reading and creative play. Choo Choo is a sweet and lovely place to be. It is also headed by a very experienced and amazingly capable director in Ms. Ela. We highly recommend Choo Choo Train for any family and consider ourselves lucky to have been part of it.

I never give anything 5 stars but Choo Choo is one of the few orgs out there that earns for sure. This is a magical, wonderous place. Your child can’t help but loving school if they come here. As a former teacher and elementary school principal, I can tell you this is an incredible school with excellent teachers. As a graduate of Saint Ann’s I can tell you that the Choo Choo of today reminds me STRONGLY of the Saint Ann’s of the ‘80s. Run, don’t walk to check this place out.