Montessori, play-way, Reggio Emilia or traditional: preschool approaches explained
Montessori vs play way vs Reggio Emilia vs traditional preschools, explained simply: what you'd see in each classroom and how to spot mere branding.
Montessori classrooms let children choose their own work with special hands-on materials, often in mixed-age groups. Play-way preschools teach through games, songs, stories and group activities led by the teacher. Reggio Emilia builds long projects around children's own questions, while traditional preschools follow a fixed, teacher-led syllabus.
No approach suits every child. What matters most is how well a centre actually practises what it claims.
The approaches at a glance
| Montessori | Play-way | Reggio Emilia | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who leads | Child chooses, teacher guides | Teacher plans playful activities | Child's interests shape projects | Teacher leads |
| Group setup | Often mixed ages | Same-age class | Small groups, often same age | Same-age class |
| Typical day | Long work period with materials | Songs, games, stories, art | Open-ended projects over days or weeks | Lessons, practice, rhymes |
| Materials | Specific Montessori materials | Toys, puzzles, art supplies | Natural and art materials, studio space | Books, worksheets, charts |
| Suits children who | Like to focus alone and work at their own pace | Enjoy group fun and variety | Are curious and love making things | Do well with clear structure |
Montessori
Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, opened her first school in Rome in 1907, according to The Hechinger Report. The approach centres on letting children choose activities and work at their own pace.
What you'd see in the classroom
- Low, open shelves with neatly arranged materials
- Children working alone or in pairs, often on small mats or at low tables
- Wooden materials for practical life skills (pouring, buttoning, sweeping) and the senses
- Mixed ages in one room, often spanning about three years
- A long, uninterrupted work period, with the teacher observing and guiding quietly
Real or just the name?
The same Hechinger report notes that "Montessori" is not a trademarked name. Any centre can use it. Ask:
- What Montessori training do your teachers have, and from which training body?
- How long is the uninterrupted work period each day?
- Can I see the materials in use, not just on shelves?
- Are the age groups mixed?
A classroom with Montessori materials on display but children doing worksheets at desks is Montessori in name only.
Play-way
Play-way is a common label in Indian preschools for learning through play. It is a broad description, not one formal method.
What you'd see in the classroom
- Circle time with songs, rhymes and movement
- Teacher-led games that teach colours, shapes, numbers and sounds
- Story sessions, puppets, role play and art
- Activity corners with blocks, puzzles and pretend play
- Lots of group activities, usually with children of the same age
Real or just the name?
Because "play-way" has no fixed definition, look at what children actually do. Ask:
- How much of the day is free play versus teacher-led activity?
- Can I see this week's activity plan?
- Do children do worksheets, and from what age?
If most of the day is spent at desks copying letters, it isn't really play-based.
Reggio Emilia
The approach grew from preschools in the Italian town of Reggio Emilia after World War II. Educator Loris Malaguzzi shaped it, according to EBSCO's overview. It sees children as capable, curious learners.
What you'd see in the classroom
- Projects that grow from children's questions, sometimes lasting weeks
- An art studio or making space with paint, clay, light and natural materials
- Walls covered in photos, notes and children's work showing how a project developed
- A carefully arranged room, sometimes called the "third teacher"
- Children expressing ideas through drawing, building, drama and talk
Real or just the name?
Reggio-inspired centres vary a lot. Ask:
- Can you show me a recent project and how it started?
- How do you record children's learning?
- How do children's ideas change what you plan?
Traditional
A traditional preschool follows a set syllabus, often building towards formal school. The teacher leads, and the class moves through topics together.
What you'd see in the classroom
- Children seated in rows or groups facing the teacher
- Letters, numbers and rhymes taught through repetition
- Worksheets, workbooks and homework
- A fixed timetable of subjects
Clear structure suits some children. But for under-fives, too much sitting, copying and testing can crowd out play, which is how young children learn best. Our guide to what good early learning looks like explains why.
Many centres mix approaches
In practice, many Indian preschools blend these. You might see a Montessori corner, play-way circle time and a few worksheets in the same week.
That isn't a problem. Ask the centre to describe a typical day in plain words, then check it matches what you see.
How to choose
Think about your child first. A child who loves quiet focus may thrive with Montessori. A social child may love play-way group time. A curious maker may enjoy a Reggio-inspired room.
Take our questions to ask on a visit with you. Then look at the basics that matter whatever the label: warm, trained staff, a sensible ratio, safety and good communication. Our complete guide to choosing a daycare covers these. If you're still deciding between types of centre, read preschool vs daycare vs playschool.
When Kribble launches, you'll be able to compare verified centres in Gurugram by approach, alongside fees and facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montessori better than play-way?
Neither is better for every child. Montessori suits children who like to focus and work independently, while play-way suits children who enjoy group activities and variety. The quality of the teachers matters more than the label.
How do I know if a preschool is really Montessori?
Ask about teachers' Montessori training, the length of the daily work period and whether ages are mixed. Watch whether children are actually using the materials. The name isn't trademarked, so any centre can use it.
What does Reggio-inspired mean?
It means a centre draws on ideas from the Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy, such as projects led by children's interests and careful documentation. It is an inspiration rather than a certification, so practice varies from centre to centre.
Are worksheets bad for preschoolers?
A few, used lightly for older preschoolers, are not harmful. But young children learn mainly through play, talk and hands-on activity. A preschool that relies heavily on worksheets for toddlers is missing what they need most.