It is very different now. In my country, the kids were sent to toddler group, playgroup, nursery from age 2-4 years old. The main focus is not study or literacy. It is just about motor skills, learning to eat by themselves instead of waiting to be fed, going toilet, how to wear their clothes and pants, and more of enjoying to play games, toys and socializing with other kids. By 5-6 years old, a handful of them do not recognize alphabets, or even know how to spell anything. I don't know about your country situation at the present moment in terms of pre-school stages.