Princess Charlotte to start nursery school, mum asked to accompany

Princess Charlotte is expected to start nursery school in the coming days, but the little royal needn’t worry too much as mum will be there with her on her first day.

The Sunday Express reports the Duchess of Cambridge has been asked to attend a “stay and play” session at Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, which opened for its spring term last week. Proud dad the Duke of Cambridge is also expected to attend.

The couple will stay with Charlotte while she settles in and then leave the room once she appears comfortable. They won’t stray far on the first day though, with parents asked to wait near by in case their child becomes upset by their absence.

The gentle approach is said to help the children adapt faster and learn that the nursery is a safe place.

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Willcocks is owned and run by headmistress Lavinia Taylor, with an all-women staff, and emphasises on learning through fun.

Charlotte will attend morning sessions from 9am to 12pm, which are described by the school as “a fun and structured morning with lots of free play where children embark on the first stages of learning to read, write and to understand simple numbers with the minimum of pressure”.

The school also emphasises good manners and creative learning, a key factor in William and Kate’s approach to their children’s education.

George started school at Thomas’s Battersea in south London in September, with the promise of creative activities and learning the school’s code of core values, which include courtesy, confidence, humility, and learning to be givers, not takers.

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Catherine is no doubt looking forward to accompanying her little girl on her first day. She missed George’s first day of school as she was suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, in the early stages of her third pregnancy. 

William couldn’t wipe the smile of his face as he walked George to meet his teacher outside of the school, but admitted it was more taxing on him than it was on his son.

The Duke and Duchess are very pleased to share a photograph of The Duke and Prince George at Kensington Palace this morning. pic.twitter.com/MxcU0RqGvi

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 7, 2017

“Very stressful,” he later said with a laugh.

“It went well. There was one other parent who had more of an issue with their children so I was quite pleased I wasn’t the one!”

Read more: Princess Charlotte’s children won’t inherit one important thing

The Cambridges modern approach to education is in stark contrast to William’s own schooling. He attended a private boys boarding school an hour outside of London in his younger years before being sent to Eton — the prestigious private school known for spurting out future politicians and royals.

George and Charlotte’s schools are both within a 15-minute drive from Kensington Palace.

Do you think William and Kate are taking the right approach with their kids education? Is there too much pressure on kids these days to get straight A’s?