About
Elan Preschool offers a mix of reading, writing, science, math, art, and online learning, along with hands-on activities such as cutting and pasting. Children also take part in magic shows, science shows, puppet shows, music shows, and animal shows, and spend time riding bicycles and playing in the playground.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
Elan Preschool describes its mission as nurturing each child’s unique talents in a balanced environment that does not overburden them with academics or let them drift aimlessly. The program states that its curriculum is tailored to enhance individual capabilities and that it focuses on reading, writing, science, math, art, communication, creativity, social skills, and independence, with an individualized approach where each child can go as slow or as fast as needed. The school reports that it uses a unique reading program with phonics, sight reading, drilling, clay, and more, and that even 3-year-olds are typically reading to each other and reading full paragraphs by graduation. Families describe the curriculum as balanced between learning and play, with academics tailored for each student using books of worksheets at their own pace, and note that children have learned to read, spell a few words, read color words, and do simple addition before kindergarten.
Elan Preschool highlights that its program is individualized to each child, that not all children are at the same level, and that treating them as individuals is how students “blossom,” with each often doing a different activity based on their own pace or interests. The school states that teachers talk to the students instead of talking at them and aim to set up students with skills to handle different situations in their environment, and that there is a definite focus on communication with parents. Parents report that teachers regularly keep them updated on progress, notify them of steps for improvement if needed, and use the Brightwheel app to send regular updates and allow parent–teacher communication.
The school describes itself as having a large playground with multiple play structures and elements, including two large play structures, a stepping stone, a balance beam, a rock wall, monkey bars, and a play house, along with a spacious play area and huge play yard with new play structures. Parents repeatedly mention a huge playground and spacious play area, and note that children enjoy running and biking outside.
Elan Preschool traces its history to 1986, when Elan Esprit Preschool (later renamed Elan Preschool) started as a home daycare in San Jose, then moved to Mountain View and grew to a 24-seat center in Palo Alto before moving in 1998 to its current 64-seat location in Milpitas. Founder Candy Mathews began in the education field in 1978 as a founding faculty member of The Delphian School, and her interest in education started in the early 1970s. Leadership later passed to her daughter-in-law, Laurie Mathews, who took over the reins of the school in 2010 as Candy started moving into retirement, with guidance by Candy’s sons and daughter-in-law.
Parents frequently mention the staff and leadership by name, including Ms. Laurie, Ms. Elizabeth, Ms. Jenelyn, Ms. Candace, Ms. Daksha, and Ms. Ava, and describe the staff as loving, caring, passionate, creative, and energetic. Families note that each child has a designated class and teacher but feel that all the teachers know and help all the children, and some parents state that teachers work extra hours to support online learning. Multiple testimonials describe Elan Preschool as having a balanced mix of curriculum and fun, with events such as Halloween, Christmas parties, and Diwali potlucks, and several parents state that their children left the school well ahead of grade level or reading before kindergarten.
Last updated March 22, 2026.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
Elan Preschool describes its mission as nurturing each child’s unique talents in a balanced environment that does not overburden them with academics or let them drift aimlessly. The program states that its curriculum is tailored to enhance individual capabilities and that it focuses on reading, writing, science, math, art, communication, creativity, social skills, and independence, with an individualized approach where each child can go as slow or as fast as needed. The school reports that it uses a unique reading program with phonics, sight reading, drilling, clay, and more, and that even 3-year-olds are typically reading to each other and reading full paragraphs by graduation. Families describe the curriculum as balanced between learning and play, with academics tailored for each student using books of worksheets at their own pace, and note that children have learned to read, spell a few words, read color words, and do simple addition before kindergarten.
Elan Preschool highlights that its program is individualized to each child, that not all children are at the same level, and that treating them as individuals is how students “blossom,” with each often doing a different activity based on their own pace or interests. The school states that teachers talk to the students instead of talking at them and aim to set up students with skills to handle different situations in their environment, and that there is a definite focus on communication with parents. Parents report that teachers regularly keep them updated on progress, notify them of steps for improvement if needed, and use the Brightwheel app to send regular updates and allow parent–teacher communication.
The school describes itself as having a large playground with multiple play structures and elements, including two large play structures, a stepping stone, a balance beam, a rock wall, monkey bars, and a play house, along with a spacious play area and huge play yard with new play structures. Parents repeatedly mention a huge playground and spacious play area, and note that children enjoy running and biking outside.
Elan Preschool traces its history to 1986, when Elan Esprit Preschool (later renamed Elan Preschool) started as a home daycare in San Jose, then moved to Mountain View and grew to a 24-seat center in Palo Alto before moving in 1998 to its current 64-seat location in Milpitas. Founder Candy Mathews began in the education field in 1978 as a founding faculty member of The Delphian School, and her interest in education started in the early 1970s. Leadership later passed to her daughter-in-law, Laurie Mathews, who took over the reins of the school in 2010 as Candy started moving into retirement, with guidance by Candy’s sons and daughter-in-law.
Parents frequently mention the staff and leadership by name, including Ms. Laurie, Ms. Elizabeth, Ms. Jenelyn, Ms. Candace, Ms. Daksha, and Ms. Ava, and describe the staff as loving, caring, passionate, creative, and energetic. Families note that each child has a designated class and teacher but feel that all the teachers know and help all the children, and some parents state that teachers work extra hours to support online learning. Multiple testimonials describe Elan Preschool as having a balanced mix of curriculum and fun, with events such as Halloween, Christmas parties, and Diwali potlucks, and several parents state that their children left the school well ahead of grade level or reading before kindergarten.
Last updated March 22, 2026.
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