Prince George and Princess Charlotte, General News 2: May 2015 - May 2016

[Rudolph]

From The Telegraph -

Westacre says it has "an all inclusive open door approach" and has in the past taught children on the autistic spectrum and physically disabled children.

A spokesman for the school said: "We are looking forward to welcoming George to our nursery where he will get the same special experience as all of our children."

Claire Schofield, Director of Membership, Policy and Communications at National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said:

“Going to nursery will be a great move for Prince George. He’ll be just over two and a half when he starts and at that age it’s all about free play – sand and water, dressing up, painting and making things, just getting stuck in and getting messy.

“He’s had nannies so he’s used to being with other people but being at nursery will be very different for him because he’ll be socialising with all the other children, making friends and learning to share and developing his communication skills.

“Most nurseries invite new starters to play with a parent, and then on their own, a few times, before their first day at nursery. That allows the child, their parents and the nursery staff to get to know each other.”

 

[TheRoyalCourtisane]

William did not attend nursery school until he was 3 years and 3 months old.

Why are they sending George to school before he is 3 years old?

Why are they in a 'rush' to get him out of the house?

What is the reason they could not 'wait' until September?

Georgie better have a talk with mom and dad.

Could it be 'Mr. Bouncy' is being bounced out of the house?
(Or at least for a few hours.)

I don't think that it's a rush. My little sister now age 8 actually started at a Montessori Learning center quite younger than George at 1 years and 6 months just because she saw us learning and she needed to burn off some energy and interact with kids her own age. I believe it may be the same for the George

 

[Osipi]

From The Telegraph -

Westacre says it has "an all inclusive open door approach" and has in the past taught children on the autistic spectrum and physically disabled children.

How truly awesome would it be if some of the kids in George's group were to be some with special needs? Learning from a very young age to interact with and accept that other kids can be different in some ways is a wonderful thing in my book.

I'm seeing quite a few of Kate's special interests with children shining through in this choice of school from stopping bullying at a very young age to creative expression like the Art Room and there's probably a myriad of other connections that haven't registered with me yet.

I think we're going to have to get out our sunglasses because when Daria reads about what this classroom is like, she's going to be beaming brighter than the sun.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, General News Part 1: May 2015

It's interesting that George will be attending a Montessori nursery, as IIRC William also did.
I hope he has a fun time there! He's growing up so fast.

From my own experience Nursery school is usually a half day school. In the UK you can start nursery quite young but Kindergarten if I remember begins at 3 or 4 years. Where they live is quite a village

In England we don't have Kindergarten. Over here, children sometimes start attending nursery/preschool when they're very young babies but they can begin at any age (as far as I'm aware). They end preschool aged three or five depending on what their school starting age is as state schools start at five whereas a lot of private schools start at three.
I started preschool when I was six months and finished when I was three.

 

[Curryong]

Didn't Kate go to a nursery school in Jordan when she was two and attended it there for a couple of years?

 

[miss whirley]

Usually, children are ready for preschool when they are potty trained. In fact, some preschools refuse to diaper. I bet George recently completed his potty training.

 

[MarNoe]

I don’t know about the UK, but where I live nursery starts at 2,5 and is attended by almost all children. So George going now is not that surprising to me.

If I'm remembering right, Estelle of Sweden started a type of nursery school at 2 1/2.

 

[hernameispekka]

If I'm remembering right, Estelle of Sweden started a type of nursery school at 2 1/2.

Yeah, in Sweden that's a normal age as well.

 

[Daria_S]

I think it all depends on the child and his/her development. George may be ready to attend school now, so it doesn't make sense to wait nine months. I love the idea that the school is small and has children from all walks of life as well as with varying abilities. The earlier he is exposed to different people, the sooner he will learn to accept exceptionalities/disabilities. As Osipi pointed out, Catherine's and William's interest shine through the school choice for their son. Another testament of how serious they are about making a difference and leading by example.


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[Dman]

Video:
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced the nursery Prince George is to attend alongside the release of a new photograph of their family. The two-year-old will go to the Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk from January. A nursery spokesman said: "We are looking forward to welcoming George to our nursery." The nursery, near King's Lynn, is close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's home, Anmer Hall-
Home - ITNSource News

 

[SnowBirds]

I think it all depends on the child and his/her development. George may be ready to attend school now, so it doesn't make sense to wait nine months. I love the idea that the school is small and has children from all walks of life as well as with varying abilities. The earlier he is exposed to different people, the sooner he will learn to accept exceptionalities/disabilities. As Osipi pointed out, Catherine's and William's interest shine through the school choice for their son. Another testament of how serious they are about making a difference and leading by example.
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Yes this young couple are showing the world just how to make it a better place for all. Oh, I bet George will be a handful and will have the teachers running after him, I can picture it now, where is he, out chasing the dog down the street or following the fire engines. It is wonderful that he gets this experience at such a young age for that will make an impression on him for many years to come as it did his dad. Such a wonderful family and they are the future of England.

 

[Osipi]

Although I tried to do a digging expedition and find the source and coming up with zilch, The picture painted of George chasing the dog and following fire engines reminds me of the story about a young Prince Harry who, at one time, eluded his protection officers and walked out of Kensington Palace and had to be retrieved from somewhere in London.

Wish I could remember where I read this story.

 

[Iluvbertie]

I remember reading last year in New Idea or Women's Drivel that he was down to start at this school in September this year - that is just past 2 - but now it seems they have delayed his start for around 3 - 4 months. I wonder if they intend for him to stay within this system for his entire education or whether they will move him to a regular system - and if so when. Eugenie also spent some of her education in a Montessori school near Windsor.

 

[HRHHermione]

Also for those balking at the price- I just did the math and at approximately $49 a day, George's school costs less than the daycare most of my friends use in the Boston area.

I'm actually pretty impressed at how down to earth it is.


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[miche]

William and Harry went to a Montessori school, it was just also a private school in London

 

[muriel]

Also for those balking at the price- I just did the math and at approximately $49 a day, George's school costs less than the daycare most of my friends use in the Boston area.

I'm actually pretty impressed at how down to earth it is.


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It is indeed very reasonably priced. Most central London nurseries are around 2.5x the price of West Acres.

 

[muriel]

I remember reading last year in New Idea or Women's Drivel that he was down to start at this school in September this year that is just past 2 - but now it seems they have delayed his start for around 3 - 4 months. I wonder if they intend for him to stay within this system for his entire education or whether they will move him to a regular system - and if so when. Eugenie also spent some of her education in a Montessori school near Wndsor.

My sense is that by age 5, William will probably be attending a regular independent school, probably in west London (Wetherby? Hill House?) I think this is a small interlude in their lives before they end up living principally in KP.

 

[Daria_S]

Although I tried to do a digging expedition and find the source and coming up with zilch, The picture painted of George chasing the dog and following fire engines reminds me of the story about a young Prince Harry who, at one time, eluded his protection officers and walked out of Kensington Palace and had to be retrieved from somewhere in London.



Wish I could remember where I read this story.

I remember reading the same story somewhere as well. I think Harry asked his protection officer to send him on a 'mission', and that he was instructed to find someone on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Harry was gone for some time, and when he made the contact with the officer via a walkie-talkie,, he said that the was near Tower Records somewhere in central London. Needless to say, the officer sped over to the location as fast as his car could carry him.



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[Rudolph]

Office manager for the toy company, Clare Hurlock, said: "We had a phone call this morning from the Press Association who asked us if it was our toy in the picture, which it is!

"It's our vintage steam train pull-along which was designed by Anuja Wilson, our creative director."

Clare said that they started getting phonecalls from magazines about the toy this morning.

She added that right now, the toy train is still in stock.

The toy is part of vintage toy range which is based on Victorian toys without batteries.

Prince George's toy train featured on Wills and Kate's Christmas card is made by Cheltenham company | Gloucestershire Echo

 

[amaryllus]

Harry was quite the resourceful little man but what could have happened... I bet he got into huge trouble with everyone with good reason.

 

[sndral]

My sense is that by age 5, William will probably be attending a regular independent school, probably in west London (Wetherby? Hill House?) I think this is a small interlude in their lives before they end up living principally in KP.

I assume you meant George

 

[Marty91charmed]

According to the DM article Prince George will not attend nursery school when he is in London, so I suspect there will be times when he is in London with his family as is the case now.


According to one article 23 of the children receive assistance w/ the fees. Thus I don't think it's 'exclusive' or limited to children of the wealthy. The small size would be due to the rural character of the area - how many 2-5 or 6 year olds can there be in such a small village?
I think it's lovely that Prince George is off to school and have always thought socialization is important for young children. George is surrounded by adults, so a steady dose of interaction with peers his own age will be great.

Thanks! I also think it is great that he starts school now as it's about time he finds some friends. I don't think he will miss many days at the nuresy though, as the family seems pretty stuck in the countryside. Kate and/or William will do engagements in London, but Goerge may well attend the school. After all, the nanny can bring him home. It remains to see if he'll go to India in spring 2016, but the it appears it had already been established that both kids will stay in the UK.

 

[cepe]

As George is apparently only attending 2 times a week, there is lots of flexibility in being with his parents.

I think KP confirmed that the children are not going to India.

 

[NotHRH]

Thanks! I also think it is great that he starts school now as it's about time he finds some friends. I don't think he will miss many days at the nuresy though, as the family seems pretty stuck in the countryside. Kate and/or William will do engagements in London, but Goerge may well attend the school. After all, the nanny can bring him home. It remains to see if he'll go to India in spring 2016, but the it appears it had already been established that both kids will stay in the UK.

Prince George is 2 years-old, and "it's about time he finds friends"??????:what::what::what:

 

[HRHHermione]

Prince George is 2 years-old, and "it's about time he finds friends"??????:what::what::what:

Yes. Social development is really important beginning around age 2-2.5. Most children spend time with other children their age by this point.


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[NotHRH]

Yes. Social development is really important beginning around age 2-2.5. Most children spend time with other children their age by this point.


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Maybe he already does...

 

[Curryong]

The story about Harry 'on a mission' came from Ken Wharfe. I think Harry was about four or five. On Harry's recent visit to an AIDS facility his mother had supported, a supervisor recounted remembering Diana getting a telephone call that Harry had crawled out onto the roof at home! Diana had seemed amused by this exploit.

So if George ever wanted to listen to tales of his Uncle Harry I'm sure he will find lots of material for future adventures!

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

I remember reading last year in New Idea or Women's Drivel that he was down to start at this school in September this year - that is just past 2 - but now it seems they have delayed his start for around 3 - 4 months. I wonder if they intend for him to stay within this system for his entire education or whether they will move him to a regular system - and if so when. Eugenie also spent some of her education in a Montessori school near Windsor.

I never knew that Princess Eugenie went to a Montessori school as well, thanks for the info. I of course don't know for definite as I can't see into the (near) future, though I can imagine that George will have the rest of his education in a regular system as William, Harry and Eugenie all did.

I wonder if he will go to a prep school in London or Norfolk? It seems that the Cambridges have been spending most of their time in Norfolk lately.

 

[Skippyboo]

However in the future, they are going to have to spend more time in London and KP especially when William is heir apparent. So George will probably do his schooling similar to his dad and uncle Harry.


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[HRHHermione]

Maybe he already does...

It's unlikely that he spends regular time with the same group of kids his own age from diverse backgrounds that he'll experience in a formal Montessori school system.


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