"Parents based in the northern part of London is looking for an extraordinary and experienced educator to support their youngest child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally miss the term "first-steps" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most significant part of this unique position posting, as it attempts to recruit a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of applications have now been sent in since the unidentified family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the post has received attention throughout the media, with several asking why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their quest, said that in spite of initial scepticism, he considered the plan "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he said they recognized the unusual character of their demand, and how young their son is.
But, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then taken hold".
But what does the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he answered. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told Adam they hoped to prevent the same situation to happen again with their infant.
The intention: To bring in a British tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the beginning here is rather osmotic," explained the expert.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to instil.
Adam noted the tutor must be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to him the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in horse riding, winter sports, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about success and provide access.
"Taking into account the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he comments.
However, in spite of all this guidance in "UK identity", could the child adopt what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who express those concerns.
Peter Cui, chief executive of Blue Education, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
He explained that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the period of seven, and had been educated understanding and living dual heritages. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that one individual can serve as a living vessel of UK identity, someone who can somehow transfer the qualities of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, appears idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"In my experience, engaging a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily produce the goal they want.
"I never had such a tutor, and however I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity should not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be instructed – and marketed.
"I believe the fact that the global community regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
