Story House Early Learning Ballarat - Aurrum Kids
Limited Places Available!
Skip to content
Limited Places Available!
Discover a place where your child can learn, grow, and truly belong at Story House Early Learning Ballarat – formally Aurrum Kids Ballarat. Our purpose-built centre in the heart of Ballarat offers a warm, welcoming environment where passionate and qualified educators nurture children through every stage of their development.
With engaging, inquiry-based programs tailored to each child’s interests, we create meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of quality care, which is why open communication and genuine partnerships with families are at the heart of everything we do.
From nutritious daily meals to beautifully designed indoor and outdoor learning spaces, every detail of our service is thoughtfully crafted to support your child’s wellbeing and growth.
Join a community where children thrive and where families feel supported every step of the way. Enquire today to learn more about Story House Early Learning Ballarat.
Celeste holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and has worked in the sector since 2013. Throughout her career, she has progressed through a variety of roles — from Educator and Lead Educator to Educational Leader and Centre Manager. With more than four years of management experience, Celeste brings strong leadership, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of early learning and team development.
She is passionate about providing high-quality education and care, supporting educators in their professional growth, and fostering meaningful partnerships with families and the community. Celeste believes in creating environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore through play and curiosity. Her approach to early learning is centred on nurturing children’s confidence, individuality, and sense of belonging.
As a leader, Celeste is guided by empathy, collaboration, and integrity. She values open communication and strives to build a positive, inclusive culture where educators feel empowered to share their ideas and strengths. She takes pride in leading a team that works together to create enriching experiences for every child.
Outside of work, Celeste enjoys spending time outdoors, keeping active, and cherishing moments with her family and friends. She loves going to the gym and spending time with her dog, Arlie, and her horse, Marlee. Whether it’s exploring new places or relaxing over coffee, Celeste values connection, laughter, and balance in all aspects of her life.
What Families Can Expect at Story House Early Learning
At Story House Early Learning, families are welcomed into a nurturing, reassuring environment where transitions are supported with care and attention. Our services are known for their warm and relaxed atmosphere, where educators take the time to know each child personally and provide the small touches, like daily updates and friendly farewells, that help families feel confident and connected.
With bright, spacious facilities and thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor learning environments, children enjoy a space that feels safe, engaging, and inspiring. Families highlight our highly dedicated educators, many of whom have been part of our services long term, creating stability, strong bonds, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Our robust educational programs are inquiry driven and enriched through diverse experiences such as STEM, music, gardening, cooking, excursions, and school readiness activities. Children benefit from both structured learning and hands on discovery, supported by exceptional outdoor features like large play areas and veggie gardens. Even mealtimes become a learning opportunity, with our in-house chefs preparing nutritious meals and often involving children in cooking experiences.
Families consistently describe Story House Early Learning as a vibrant, home like community where children settle quickly, build confidence, and develop independence. Our approach balances play based and inquiry led learning with cultural and nature inspired integration, ensuring every child is supported to flourish.
Our STEM curriculum nurtures confident mathematical thinkers through hands-on, inquiry-based projects. Children explore topics like bees, coding BE-BOTS, and recycling with local council support. Tailored teaching inspires critical thinking, problem-solving, and strong social connections, encouraging cooperation and curiosity through engaging, real-world learning experiences.
Our Pathways to School curriculum fosters a love of reading and strong language skills through storytelling, vocabulary building, and phonological awareness. With personalised support, children develop critical thinking and communication skills. We nurture enthusiasm for language, believing strong foundations are essential for academic success and lifelong learning.
Our ARTS curriculum empowers children to be creative and persistent using real-world tools, open-ended materials, and imaginative play. Through music, movement, and drama, children retell stories, collaborate, and express themselves. These experiences build strong language, literacy, and creative skills both in the classroom and the wider community.
Our program develops health bodies and brains through healthy choices and physical activities that promote problem-solving, communication, independence, and teamwork. With a strong focus on mental and physical wellbeing, children engage in mindfulness, healthy eating, and active play. These experiences lay a STRONG foundation for lifelong health, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
Our program builds life skills through daily routines that promote problem-solving, communication, independence, and teamwork. With a strong focus on mental and physical wellbeing, children engage in mindfulness, healthy eating, and active play. These experiences lay the foundation for lifelong health, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
As active citizens, children engage with their community through intergenerational programs, online and community safety, and school connections. Our Story House curriculum fosters care for others and strong local ties, helping children feel confident, connected, and excited for their next step – transitioning to school with a sense of belonging and readiness.
Story House’s nature play program encourages children to explore the environment through sand, water, plants, and wildlife. This fosters sensory awareness, creativity, and problem-solving. Integrated into our Pathways to School curriculum, it builds curiosity and care for nature—supporting children to become strong, capable, independent, and thoughtful learners for life.
CHEF RAHUL'S COOKING PROGRAM
Just like any quality restaurant kitchen, ours is fully equipped and run to the highest standards with our chef holding up-to-date food safety certifications to ensure every meal is prepared with care and compliance. All meals are thoughtfully planned to align with Australian nutrition guidelines, ensuring every bite supports healthy growth and development. Our skilled chef Rahul leads interactive cooking classes tailored to each age group, encouraging children to discover new flavours and learn new skills. Children enjoy a variety of foods while gaining confidence in the kitchen. Popular dishes like Spaghetti Bolognese, Wholemeal Pancakes served with jam and cream and Vegetarian Frittata are amongst the children’s favourites, making each class a delicious adventure! As part of our commitment to fostering healthy habits and a love for fresh food, all Story House services have introduced the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (SAKGP). This hands-on initiative connects children with growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, seasonal food. By getting involved in every step of the process, from garden to plate, children learn valuable life skills, develop respect for the environment, and build a deeper appreciation for nutritious food in a fun, practical way.
At Story House, we care about every person and their individual journey because it takes a committed, diverse and passionate team to nurture each child’s unique story.
When your path leads to Story House, you’ll find a place where the pieces just fit. Our people find meaning in their work, true support in their team, and opportunities to grow, thrive and shape lives……every day, in every moment. It’s like a puzzle coming together, step by step, with each Story House-er bringing something special.
We’re proud to be the only early learning provider certified three times as a Great Place to Work and named as one of Australia’s Best Workplaces. We’ve been recognised for our commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and innovation because creating inspiring environments starts with creating an inspiring workplace.
We’re part of many different communities, supporting families from all walks of life. That’s why we believe our team should reflect that same rich diversity. Every Story House-er brings something unique and when all those different pieces connect, it creates something truly beautiful. And that’s the Story House difference.
Story House Early Learning does not require families to pay a bond or enrolment fee when enrolling your child, however there is a requirement for childcare fees to remain two weeks in advance at all times.
Our service offers a curriculum inspired by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), tailored to each age group. Programs include nature-based experiences, art activities, STEAM and a school readiness curriculum.
Families consistently praise our service for our nurturing environment, dedicated staff, and high quality care.
Story House Early Learning’s daily fee includes meals, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, learning programs, extracurricular activities, digital updates, and supportive care essentials. Everything is designed to create a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for your child’s growth.
The closest bus stop to 21-53 Learmonth Rd, Wendouree VIC 3355 is VicRoads / Learmonth Rd bus stop on Learmonth Road.
Distance: 10 metres and a 1 minute walk.
The closest primary school to 21-53 Learmonth Rd, Wendouree VIC 3355 is Wendouree Primary School at 1224 Howitt Street, Wendouree 3355.
Driving distance is 1km and a 3 minute drive.
The closest major hospital to 21-53 Learmonth Rd, Wendouree VIC 3355 is St John of God Ballarat Hospital, located at 101 Drummond Street North, Ballarat VIC 3350.
Driving distance is 2.5 km or a 5 minute drive.
The closest medical centre to 21-53 Learmonth Rd, Wendouree VIC 3355 is:
Wendouree Medical Centre. 450-452 Gillies Street North, Wendouree VIC 3355.
Travel distance by car is 400m or a 2 minute drive.
Story House Early Learning Penrith offers both incursions and excursions as part of our educational program. These experiences are designed to extend children’s learning beyond the classroom and connect them with the local community.
Incursions may include visits from emergency services, animal encounters or cultural performances. Excursions may involve trips to nearby parks, libraries or local primary schools to support school readiness and community engagement. All activities are carefully planned and supervised by qualified educators.
Tours are between 10:00am and 5:00pm. Please call for tour outside of these hours.
Service carpark and street parking available.
*From $44.70/day : Estimated out-of-pocket costs are based on an average Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlement of 70% and 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
6 months - 3 yrs: $155
3 YRS - 5 YRS: $149
As part of the Story House Early Learning STRONG Beginnings curriculum, we believe learning continues beyond the classroom. That’s why we offer thoughtfully designed take-home resources for families, supporting each child’s development through fun, engaging activities.
These resources help reinforce learning themes, encourage parent involvement, and create meaningful opportunities for connection at home. From storybooks and activity ideas to creative crafts and conversation prompts, each item is tailored to extend the early learning experience, making education a shared and enjoyable journey for both children and their families.
At Story House Early Learning, we believe strong communication with families is key to creating a nurturing and connected learning environment. We use the Storypark app as our primary communication tool, providing families with real-time updates on their child’s day, learning journey, and development. Through the app, families can receive photos, videos, and observations from educators, stay informed about upcoming events, and engage in two-way communication at any time. Storypark also allows us to collaborate closely with families, supporting each child’s growth through shared insights and goals. This seamless, secure, and interactive platform helps build meaningful partnerships between our educators and families every step of the way.
Rest Easy, Sleep Safe — The Story House Way
Story House Early Learning prioritises children’s well-being ensuring each child’s comfort and safety during rest times. Educators are trained to implement safe sleep practices, adhering to guidelines from Red Nose Australia and the National Quality Standards.
Our policy emphasises individual sleep needs, providing appropriate opportunities for rest and relaxation in a secure environment. By maintaining consistent routines and environments, Story House supports healthy sleep habits, fostering a nurturing atmosphere conducive to each child’s development.
Additionally, through the Sleep Smart program, educators receive expert guidance to enhance sleep practices, further ensuring the safety and well-being of all children.
Would you like to know more about our child care service? Complete the below form and one of our staff members will get in touch to discuss your requirements with you.
"*" indicates required fields