Why I won't send my girls to an English nursery by Lisa Marie Presley

Elvis's daughter lives in the English countryside with her husband and twin three-year-old daughters

PUBLISHED: 17:52 EST, 19 September 2012 | UPDATED: 19:34 EST, 19 September 2012

She prefers the rather wetter East Sussex to the sunshine of California.

But when it comes to her children’s education, Lisa Marie Presley remains an American at heart.

The daughter of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, who lives in the English countryside with her husband and twin three-year-old daughters, plans to shun the local nurseries and delay sending her girls to school until they are five or six ‘as that’s the age they start in the States’.

Class concerns: Lisa Marie Presley said she did not want to send her children to school until they were five or six

In an interview on Radio 2, she told presenter Jo Whiley: ‘I am reluctant to send them to school. I just don’t want to shove them off so early.’

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The 44-year-old believes that British children join the education system too early. ‘I’m stunned when I see the age range,’ she said.

‘I understand working parents need to do it, but I don’t want to lose them that quick. I’ll go crazy when they all go to school as I won’t know what to do.’

Legally, children in the UK do not have to start school until the term after they turn five. Many schools have nurseries attached to them, but attendance is not compulsory.

Lisa Marie Presley lives in the village of Rotherfield, Sussex

Home: Lisa Marie Presley lives in the village of Rotherfield, East Sussex

Miss Presley flitted between England and California for several years before taking permanent residency in the UK in August 2010, when she moved to an £8million stately home in West Sussex with her fourth husband, guitarist Michael Lockwood, and daughters Harper and Finley.

The singer, who also has two grown-up children from previous marriages, admitted she preferred her new home because the English are more friendly. ‘In California the people are so self-absorbed.

I lived in the same neighbourhood for 17 years and I don’t think I met a neighbour,’ she confessed.

‘When I moved here I was getting notes and flowers and people reaching out to me, and I just thought it was incredible. There’s a quality of life over here that I needed and I just found it very refreshing.

‘The locals are also pretty protective of me, which I really found charming as I’d never experienced that before.’

Lisa Marie Presley, center, her daughter Riley Keough, left, and her husband Michael Lockwood at a New York fashion show

Miss Presley, a Scientologist, has been married four times. Her previous husbands include the late Michael Jackson and actor Nicolas Cage.

She has two adult children from her first marriage to musician Danny Keough – actress Danielle Riley, 23, and Benjamin, 19.

Last month, Miss Presley revealed her love for the English way of life – and the odd game of darts over a cold pint of Guinness.

‘The civility, the culture, the people and its beauty have reawakened me and have smoothed out some of my bleak and jagged views about people and life,’ she said.

‘I can honestly say I am the only person who came to England for the cold and the rain . . . that, it seems, and the pleasures of a good old-fashioned English country pub.’

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What a lovely article!

- Basha , GATESHEAD, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 05:32

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Hood on her. I kept both of my kids out of school till they were 6 (that's the legal age in Australia) They could both read, write their own names, knew all their colours and shapes and had great social skills. They were and still are at the top of their classes and they don't have any separation issues. I didnt have kids to outsource them. I had them because I wanted to be a mother.

- Eartha Lee , Newcastle, 20/9/2012 05:08

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I never even knew she lived in England!! Good Luck to her. English people are not as bad as some make out.

- xXDanielleXx , London, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 04:05

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I couldn't agree with her more. My husband retired after spending 20 years in the usaf, and I can honestly say that NNo that the civilian life over here is very lonely. When we were in the usaf and living on base housing people would always come knocking on your door to introduce themselves and welcome you to the neighbourhood. Not like that atall on civvy street. Not like that in the u.k. eithert. Oh how I miss it.

- pamo , pennsylvania usa., 20/9/2012 03:25

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Goes to show that there are a few of us americans that do not feel the need to believe that the states is the "be all and end all". I too found a llovely way of life and people I had only ever dreamed of knowing over here as well, and wouldnt trade it for anything,big house and fast car and all my worldly goods given to friends and charity when I moved here with just a suitcase 5 years ago,and have never looked back. British people ARE very different in the lovliest way.Americans may be very friendly and a bit OTT with affectionate gestures, but I found if I keep it to a decent minimum,people like MY ways as much as I like theirs.That the british AND europeans(sp) dont see the states as bigger & better, and things like lighting a joint on stage(lady gaga) isnt "oh so cool and rebel"!, its seen as 'meh,whatever is SO refreshing'.And the charm of REAL manners,REAL empathy and affection for people is so evident,nowhere else on earth like it and Lisa & I are the lucky ones being here:)

- ladybeth , Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 03:24

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Good for her, and totally understand why she prefers where she is: That part about living in the same area for 17 years and never meeting anyone - yes, been there.

- Jenn , Seattle, 20/9/2012 03:01

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A lot of parents in the US educate their own children when it comes to counting to ten, learning the alphabet, and how to write their name. Then, they take them to swimming lessons, play dates, and so forth to learn other skills and interact with children. She's doing what a lot of women in the US with the luxury of staying home do.

- India Andrews , Los Angeles, United States, 20/9/2012 02:05

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Lisa is a lovely girl and i wish her great happiness in the UK..........Yes it rains here,but overall the quality of life is excellent,and the British are very welcoming to our American cousins.

- wellinever , Bristol, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 01:55

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Lisa Marie is a straight shooter. She doesn't hide her opinions and I respect her for that.

- Southerntwinb , Usa, 20/9/2012 01:50

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Glad you finally found some peace - you look and seem so much happier! Congratulations, "Yisa"

- Grits , USA, 20/9/2012 01:41

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