J.N.
I really loved the 'lab' preschool at the U of U. It is through the Family and Consumer studies department and uses a lot of students in the child development program to have plenty of adults there, but there is a head teacher who has graduated in that field. They also take kids of a lot of different backgrounds to get a well balanced group. They do use the school for studies, but always tell parents what it is going to be and get permission from parents before including kids in the study. I'm not sure what applications deadlines are. But this is a great preschool - had 2 of my kids go there as well as working there myself.
its on presidents circle, the building just past the museum, at the U of U campus