Our approach

Play is a fundamental right for every child and integral to experiencing the joy of childhood.

Early learning experts specify that ‘Play is fundamental to children’s learning in the early years and is the way in which children organise and make sense of the world around them as they interact with people, the environment, community and each other.’

In the first five years, children’s brains develop at a rate faster than any other time in the life span. For this reason, they need freedom to test their limits, discover new things, communicate, interact with others, build resilience to fail and bounce back, and solve problems.

It is through high quality play-based learning that neural pathways are developed as the foundation for life-long learning.

Why Choose Our Pathway to School Educational Program

Longer Operating Hours

Our long day care centres operate for extended hours (from early morning to late afternoon), offering more flexibility for working parents who need care beyond typical kindergarten hours. Children receive both learning opportunities and all-day care, making it a one-stop solution for families.

Full Year Operation

Story House long day care kindergartens are open throughout the year, including during school holidays. This is beneficial for families needing care year-round.

Qualified Staff and Learning Framework

All Story House kindergartens & preschools employ qualified early childhood teachers who follow a government-approved learning framework, providing children with both education and care within the same setting.

Sibling Care

Story House Early Learning centres cater to multiple age groups, from infants to kindergarteners. This allows families to send all their children to one facility, making it more convenient and reducing logistical stress.

Individualised Attention and Support

Longer hours allow for more personalised attention to each child’s developmental needs. Teachers have more time to assess and support children’s progress in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and socialisation.

Play is a fundamental right for every child and integral to experiencing the joy of  childhood.

Early learning experts specify that ‘Play is fundamental to children’s learning in the early years and is the way in which children organise and make sense of the world around them as they interact with people, the environment, community and each  other.’

We believe every child’s learning story is unique, so our teachers tailor Story Houses Pathways to the School Curriculum to focus on your child’s learning and development. Participating in the Story House’s curriculum, your child will become a STRONG, capable, independent, kind, and thoughtful learner, laying a solid foundation for successful academic learning in their life.

Learning through STEM

Through our STEM curriculum your child will become a confident mathematical thinker as they build their knowledge by engaging in various learning opportunities. Our teachers provide tailored learning which provokes awe and wonder for your child to think critically, and solve problems, through inquiry-based projects such as learning about bees, how to code BE-BOTS or connecting with the local council to learn how to recycle the services rubbish. All these community connections build and engage your child in exploring and cooperating with others establishing STRONG social connections.

Language and
literacy learning

Our Pathways to School curriculum is designed to foster a love for reading and enhance language skills for each child with an emphasis on interactive learning experiences that engage children through storytelling, vocabulary building, and phonological awareness. Our dedicated teachers provide personalised support, developing critical thinking and communication skills. We believe that STRONG language foundations are key to academic success and lifelong learning as we nurture their enthusiasm for language and literacy.

Our ARTs program

Our real-world and open-ended resources empower children to persist and be creative in their learning within the classroom and in the community. Participating in our ARTS curriculum your child will use real-world tools, open-ended recyclable materials and use various materials as props in their play and learning. Children will develop STRONG language and literacy skills through music, movement and dramatic play as they retell stories, collaborate with others and cultivate their creative skills through play.

Wellbeing and
life skills

Life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and personal responsibility, are integrated into daily routines, allowing children to practice decision-making, independence, and teamwork. A STRONG emphasis is placed on nurturing mental and physical wellbeing, with strategies like mindfulness, healthy eating, and active play, ensuring children develop the foundations for lifelong health and emotional wellbeing.

Healthy choices and
physical wellbeing

Making healthy choices and growing STRONG bodies and minds is an important aspect of our curriculum. Our teaching teams involve children in the whole process from understanding the life cycle of plants, growing and harvesting food to preparing and serving food, constantly talking and learning about keeping our bodies healthy. Our Healthy Choices curriculum encompasses opportunities for children to learn and understand how to care for their bodies through opportunities to participate in gardening projects, visit local farms and grocery shops to learn from experts in the community.

Active and
involved citizens

As active and involved citizens, your child learns about caring for others by being a part of their local community. The Story House curriculum has STRONG connections with local community members engaging in intergenerational programs (Grand friends), learning about keeping safe in the community and on-line, and connecting with members of the local community and schools, this supports your child to be ready and excited for their next step in life, going to school.

Nature play and
Sustainability

Encouraging children to engage with the natural environment through focused learning is an integral part of Story House’s nature play program. By interacting with elements like sand, water, plants, and wildlife, children develop sensory awareness, creativity, and problem-solving skills learning how to look after the environment. Nature play within the Pathways to School curriculum fosters curiosity and a sense of wonder, allowing children to explore ecosystems, observe seasonal changes, and understand environmental concepts.
Participating in the Story House curriculum, your child will become a STRONG, capable, independent, kind and thoughtful learner, laying a solid foundation for successful academic learning in their life.

Wellbeing and life skills

Participating in the Story House curriculum, your child will become a STRONG, capable, independent, kind and thoughtful learner, laying a solid foundation for successful academic learning in their life.

What does school readiness really mean?

As parents, the concept of “school readiness” is frequently discussed, but what does it truly encompass? School readiness is not merely a checklist of skills or knowledge that children must possess before

Read More »

Let their learning story start with us.

We have centres across Australia

story house logo houses
story house logo houses

Schedule Your Tour