Elan Preschool

Elan Preschool offers a Tots Program for 2-year-olds that covers letters and reading, hands, scissors, tracing, lacing, yard activities, and science topics over the year. The Tots class has no more than nine children per teacher. The school is both an academic and play based program with routine and consistency, and it uses individualized pacing for each child.

Programs

• Tots Program — 2-year-olds · Covers letters and reading, hands/scissors/tracing/lacing, yard activities, and science topics over the year; classes run at no more than nine children per teacher.
• Pre-K — Built on children arriving already able to learn in a group; the reading program starts on day one.
• Kindergarten

At a glance

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• General schedule: Elan Preschool is both an academic and play based program. The school emphasizes an ideal balance of academics and play-based learning, with routine and consistency, and individualized pacing for each child.

About the provider

Elan Preschool was founded in 1986 by Candy Mathews as Elan Esprit Preschool and was renamed Elan Preschool later. Laurie Mathews took over in 2010. The school is celebrating 40 years and moved to its current Milpitas location in 1997. Its mission states that it starts with an ideal academics and play balance and that children should have fun while learning so they equate learning with fun for the rest of their lives.

Children are treated as individuals and can go as slow or as fast as needed. The Tots class has no more than nine children per teacher. The school uses an individualized ability checklist and reviews it with parents at regular intervals.

What families say

“School focuses on all round development which includes basic learning and exposure to creative arts/music.” — R.S. 2017

“Elan's class schedules provide a good balance of learning and play.” — A.T. 2023

“Has a very balanced curriculum and focus is on both fun and learning.” — S.B. 2023

Last updated September 20, 2026.