Squeeze it, crumple it, throw it. Just don't eat it. I'm investigating preschools and am getting a headache trying to decide which one is best. The traditional preschool or American nursery school as it once was called, is characterized by free play and discovery learning. The academic preschool focuses on the development of prereading and math skills and does so through direct instruction.
Content is taught by teachers rather than being informally discovered and learned by students.
The Montessori schools, although there are many variations on Maria Montessori's original theme, are based on the concept of order. There are many specially developed materials for learning, and children are permitted to choose and make decisions about what they will learn and do within the framework of materials available. Often, what is actually happening in classrooms is very different from what the director or the brochure may say. It may be that you will have a difficult time deciding just which philosophy is espoused. Talk with the teachers, observe for an extended period, and talk to parents of student already enrolled.