Prince George to attend a Montessori nursery in Norfolk

Kensington Palace has announced that Prince George will start at West Acre Montessori School in January 2016.

Prince George. Credit: Kensington Palace/PA

The two-year-old will attend the nursery in King's Lynn, Norfolk, near the family's home at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate.

A spokesperson for West Acre Montessori 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."

Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play.

The holistic approach aims to build self-confidence, inner discipline, a sense of self-worth and instils positive social behaviour.

West Acre Montessori School is housed in a converted chapel and provides care and education for children aged between two and five years. Children are taught in mixed-age groups, given choices of activities and freedom of movement within the classroom.

In the 2015 Ofsted inspection report the nursery was rated as ‘Good’.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended Mrs Jane Mynors' Montessori nursery school in West London, while the Duchess of Cambridge went to a local pre-school in Bradfield Southend, Berkshire.

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.”