The Princess of Wales visited Scuola Comunale d'Infanzia Anna Frank today, a municipal pre-school serving children aged three to six in the Rosta Nuova district of Reggio Emilia, where she was left visibly impressed.
The school follows the renowned Reggio Emilia educational approach, which prioritises creative expression, interpersonal connections and the learning environment as fundamental teaching principles.
Catherine was greeted upon arrival by Federico Ruozzi, President of Infant Toddler Centres, alongside Nandi Ronaldi, Director of Infant Toddler Centres and Preschools, and Elisa Di Benedetto, the school's pedagogista.
Inside the school, the mother-of-three participated in a creative session led by atelierista Daniela Casali, working alongside a group of young pupils.
The Princess of Wales was left visibly impressed by an Italian pre-school with a rare comment
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The workshop centred on the theme 'Winds of Stories', which connects to a storytelling festival taking place in Reggio Emilia the following week.
This hands-on activity showcased the distinctive function of the atelierista within the educational framework, highlighting how artistic exploration forms a cornerstone of the Reggio Emilia method.
The session emphasised creativity as a vehicle for learning, allowing Catherine to witness firsthand how the philosophy translates into daily classroom practice.
Following the creative workshop, the princess joined parents and their children in a classroom setting to hear about the educational approach's influence on family life and the school's strong sense of community.
The Princess of Wales took part in a classroom session
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As the classroom session neared its end, the future queen was overheard saying: “If only more educational settings had this approach.”
During her visit, the 44-year-old spoke about the struggles of children growing up in a “fast-paced” world.
Elsewhere, Catherine brought up her late dog, Lupo, noting he had a “big personality”. Children were writing different animals down on paper, and Lupo happens to mean “wolf” in Italian.
Lupo, the beloved English Cocker Spaniel belonging to Catherine and Prince William, died in November 2020 at the age of nine.
The Princess of Wales was swarmed by children during her visit
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The Princess of Wales met Federico Ruozzi, President of Infant Toddler Centres, alongside Nandi Ronaldi, Director of Infant Toddler Centres and Preschools, and Elisa Di Benedetto, the school's pedagogista
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Following his death, the Waleses welcomed a new dog, Orla, who is Lupo's niece.
Catherine and William recently welcomed a new dog, a chocolate English Cocker Spaniel named Otto, who is Orla's son.
Before concluding her visit, Catherine had the opportunity to meet members of the school's cooking team, who play an integral role in the daily life of the pre-school.
She also spent time with additional teaching staff, rounding off an engagement that offered a comprehensive view of the school's operations.
The Rosta Nuova district was predominantly built during the 1950s and 1960s post-war period.