DS has been going to a Montessori kindy here for about a month. He is almost 3 and goes twice a week. It is comparable in price to day care and we get the CCB. He loves it and we love it. He talks about his 'work' and is very comfortable being there. I spent the first day there and have to say the best way for me to describe it is that the teachers are very 'respectful' of the kids. There are rules of course but the teachers actually speak to them with logic and kindness. We are really impressed so far. As far as literacy etc they do reading, songs, trace letters with their fingers etc. I think like always though you have to be happy with the teacher they have as there will still be good ones and not so good.