PUDDLEDUCKS Montessori Nursery has seen a rise in applicants thanks to Prince George.

Kate and William’s first child started attending the Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk earlier this year – a move which has seen a hike inapplications for this type of childcare priovision across the country.

The Montessori method is based on child-directed learning and takes place in a specially prepared classroom, with each piece of apparatus involving hands-on learning which allows the child to discover and correct their own mistakes.

Puddleducks is a small, family-run nursery which boasts a team of qualified and experienced Montessori staff, and manager Emma Ridley says she has felt the impact of the young prince’s choice of school.

“We have noticed that people’s awareness of and interest in our Montessori philosophy has definitely spiked.

“Since it was announced that Prince George would be attending a Montessori nursery, prospective parents have begun to ask what Montessori really means, and have appreciated the uniqueness of our setting.”

Rated ‘outstanding’ in its Ofsted report, the nursery in North Warnborough does its best to follow the principles of founding member, 1870 physician Maria Montessori.

“We aim to nurture each individual child’s independence and inner self, through showing the children respect for themselves, others, their environment and their world,” added Emma.

“The results of this are children who score highly in personal, social and emotional issues. This good self-esteem leads to children becoming intrinsically motivated to learn.

“All of these skills lay a solid foundation and give a great head start when starting school,” she added.

For more details about Puddleducks, visit puddleducksmontessori.co.uk.