About
Elan Preschool offers an academic and play-based program that includes reading, writing, science, math, art, communication, creativity, social activities, and independence-building activities. Children take part in magic shows, science shows, puppet shows, music shows, animal shows, riding bicycles, playing in the playground, reading color words, cutting, pasting, and online learning.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
Elan Preschool describes its program as individualized, with each child able to go as slow or as fast as needed and often doing different activities than others in the same group. The program uses a reading approach that includes phonics, sight reading, drilling, and clay, and it is typical for 3-year-olds to be reading to each other and for children to be reading full paragraphs by graduation. Families report that children have learned to read, trace, write, read color words, spell a few words, do simple addition, and create artwork and coloring projects, sometimes before kindergarten. Parents describe the curriculum as having a balance of instructional time and playtime, with academics tailored to each student through workbooks and worksheets at the child’s own pace rather than a single worksheet for the whole class.
The school’s history began in 1986 as Elan Esprit Preschool, a home daycare in San Jose that spent 10 years developing and refining a unique curriculum before moving to Mountain View, then to a 24-seat center in Palo Alto, and finally to its current 64-seat format in Milpitas in 1998. Founder Candy Mathews entered the education field in 1978 as a founding faculty member of The Delphian School, and her interest in education began in the early 1970s. Leadership later passed to her daughter-in-law, Laurie Mathews, who took over the reins of the school in 2010 and continues to lead with guidance from Candy’s sons and daughter-in-law.
Parents frequently mention teachers by name, including Ms. Elizabeth, Ms. Jenelyn, Ms. Candace, Ms. Daksha, Ms. Ava, and Ms. Laurie, and describe the staff as friendly, loving, caring, creative, and energetic. Families note that each child has a designated class and teacher, but that all teachers get to know and help the children, and that teachers deal with occasional tantrums with care. Parents also report that teachers have supported online learning for some children and that the staff keeps parents regularly updated on progress and steps for improvement when needed.
The outdoor area includes a huge playground and huge play yard with a spacious play area, two large play structures, a rock wall, monkey bars, a play house, a stepping stone, a balance beam, and many smaller elements, and parents often highlight this space as a major feature of the school. Families say their children enjoy running and biking in the large backyard, riding bicycles, and playing on the various play structures. Parents also mention events such as Halloween celebrations, Christmas parties, and Diwali potlucks as part of their experience with the program.
Elan Preschool states that it focuses on both academics and play, with a mixture of structure and large amounts of time to play and learn, and that it treats children as individuals rather than expecting all children to be at the same level. The program states that it talks to students instead of talking at them and aims to set up students with many skills to handle different situations in their environment. Elan Preschool uses the Brightwheel app to send regular updates and support communication with parents, and parents describe the environment as one where their children make friends, have fun, and come home excited about what they have done at school.
Last updated June 21, 2026.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
Elan Preschool describes its program as individualized, with each child able to go as slow or as fast as needed and often doing different activities than others in the same group. The program uses a reading approach that includes phonics, sight reading, drilling, and clay, and it is typical for 3-year-olds to be reading to each other and for children to be reading full paragraphs by graduation. Families report that children have learned to read, trace, write, read color words, spell a few words, do simple addition, and create artwork and coloring projects, sometimes before kindergarten. Parents describe the curriculum as having a balance of instructional time and playtime, with academics tailored to each student through workbooks and worksheets at the child’s own pace rather than a single worksheet for the whole class.
The school’s history began in 1986 as Elan Esprit Preschool, a home daycare in San Jose that spent 10 years developing and refining a unique curriculum before moving to Mountain View, then to a 24-seat center in Palo Alto, and finally to its current 64-seat format in Milpitas in 1998. Founder Candy Mathews entered the education field in 1978 as a founding faculty member of The Delphian School, and her interest in education began in the early 1970s. Leadership later passed to her daughter-in-law, Laurie Mathews, who took over the reins of the school in 2010 and continues to lead with guidance from Candy’s sons and daughter-in-law.
Parents frequently mention teachers by name, including Ms. Elizabeth, Ms. Jenelyn, Ms. Candace, Ms. Daksha, Ms. Ava, and Ms. Laurie, and describe the staff as friendly, loving, caring, creative, and energetic. Families note that each child has a designated class and teacher, but that all teachers get to know and help the children, and that teachers deal with occasional tantrums with care. Parents also report that teachers have supported online learning for some children and that the staff keeps parents regularly updated on progress and steps for improvement when needed.
The outdoor area includes a huge playground and huge play yard with a spacious play area, two large play structures, a rock wall, monkey bars, a play house, a stepping stone, a balance beam, and many smaller elements, and parents often highlight this space as a major feature of the school. Families say their children enjoy running and biking in the large backyard, riding bicycles, and playing on the various play structures. Parents also mention events such as Halloween celebrations, Christmas parties, and Diwali potlucks as part of their experience with the program.
Elan Preschool states that it focuses on both academics and play, with a mixture of structure and large amounts of time to play and learn, and that it treats children as individuals rather than expecting all children to be at the same level. The program states that it talks to students instead of talking at them and aims to set up students with many skills to handle different situations in their environment. Elan Preschool uses the Brightwheel app to send regular updates and support communication with parents, and parents describe the environment as one where their children make friends, have fun, and come home excited about what they have done at school.
Last updated June 21, 2026.
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