Reading & Writing

My daughter turned 4 in June. I'm starting her with reading and writing classes in Jan. the little boy who i watch in the evening is now in Grade 1 and he cannot spell. they teach the kids to recognise words instead of spelling them. he does not even know the alphabet and they haven't done it in school. should that not be 1 of the first things they learn?

am i making a mistake by starting her early? she will be able to read and write by the time she goes to Grade 1