"I think the idea of leaving reading/writing until the adult teeth come through is barmy. However I think there is too much pressure to learn reading/spelling in state schools, far too young."
minimathsmouse - there can be too much pressure when initial reading instruction is poor, or when it's poorly executed. When a good synthetic phonics programme - Jolly Phonics, for instance - is taught by a teacher who understands the principles - it is a wonderous experience for little children. And a good teacher will recognise almost as soon as children start to read those children who are likely to struggle and that's where a well-trained TA is invaluable.
It's not the parents, or the children but an understanding of the logic of the instruction that's crucial. A great problem has been the resistance of teacher training colleges to teach their students how to teach reading. Teachers can be ashamed of their ignorance (and it certainly isn't their fault)and can get very defensive. Local Authorities, too, have often provided inadequate training.
When I was a remedial teacher of reading a disproportionate number of children came from the local Steiner School. It was hard to help these children as they had so many faulty strategies and their loss of self-esteem was tragic.
It's a pity that a former Steiner Head is leading the campaign to stop children learning to read. It's much easier to teach a 4,5 year old than it is to help an older child. Our orthography is complex, that's why we need the extra years.
There are good things about Steiner schools but these are vastly outweighed by the indoctrination process.