At The Fern Early Learning Centres, our 4-year-old kinder program in 2025 is designed to captivate children aged approximately four years, fostering a love for stories through a vibrant early learning curriculum. This blog explores how our Free Kinder program nurtures storytelling, supported by low educator-child ratios and accessible via the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), making The Fern a top choice for parents.
Why Storytelling Matters for 4-Year-Olds
Four-year-olds are natural storytellers, weaving tales from their experiences and fantasies. Encouraging storytelling at this age enhances language development, creativity, and social skills, preparing children for school by boosting their ability to express ideas. At The Fern Early Learning Centres, our 4-year-old kinder program creates a nurturing environment where stories come to life, helping children build confidence and connection. In 2025, our Free Kinder program, supported by the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), ensures families can access this enriching experience, easing the transition for parents planning their child’s first day at childcare.
By fostering a love for storytelling, we empower 4-year-olds to share their voices and connect with others, setting a strong foundation for their future.
How The Fern’s 4-Year-Old Kinder Program Inspires Storytelling
Our early learning curriculum for 4-year-olds is crafted to spark storytelling through engaging, play-based activities. With low educator-child ratios, our qualified educators provide personalised encouragement, allowing each child’s stories to flourish. Here’s how we cultivate storytelling in our Free Kinder program:
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Storytime with Interactive Books
Daily storytime sessions bring books to life, with educators reading aloud and inviting children to predict endings or describe characters. These moments inspire 4-year-olds to create their own stories, expanding vocabulary and imagination. Educators foster discussion, ensuring every child feels heard and valued.
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Dramatic Play for Narrative Building
Pretend play areas, like a pirate ship or fairy castle, encourage children to invent narratives. These activities, often tied to STEAM in early learning, let 4-year-olds act out roles and create plotlines, from rescuing a treasure to hosting a tea party. Low educator-child ratios allow educators to guide these stories, helping children develop their ideas.
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Puppet Shows and Group Storytelling
Using puppets or props, children collaborate on group stories, taking turns adding to the tale. These sessions teach 4-year-olds to listen, contribute, and build on others’ ideas, fostering teamwork and creativity. Educators model storytelling techniques, encouraging children to explore new ways of expressing themselves.
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Art as Storytelling
Drawing, painting, or crafting lets children tell stories visually. Projects like illustrating a favourite tale or creating a storybook allow 4-year-olds to share their experiences and fantasies. Our educators celebrate each creation, helping children see themselves as storytellers.
Benefits of a Storytelling-Focused Kinder Program
Our storytelling-driven approach offers lasting benefits:
- Language Skills: Crafting stories enhances vocabulary and communication.
- Creativity: Inventing narratives sparks imaginative thinking.
- Social Connection: Sharing stories builds empathy and collaboration.
- Confidence: Expressing ideas through stories boosts self-assurance.
With low educator-child ratios, our educators ensure every child receives the support needed to shine as a storyteller, making The Fern Early Learning Centres a standout choice in 2025.
Supporting Parents in 2025
Choosing a childcare centre is a significant step, and we’re here to help. Our 4-year-old kinder program provides regular updates on your child’s storytelling milestones, from photos of their puppet shows to notes on their tales, keeping you connected. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Free Kinder program make our storytelling-focused kinder accessible, supporting families as they prepare for their child’s first day at childcare.
Our educators collaborate with parents to ease transitions, using storytelling to help children settle in. This partnership reinforces storytelling skills at home and in our centres.
Tips for Encouraging Storytelling at Home
Support your 4-year-old’s storytelling with these ideas:
- Read Together: Share books and ask “What happens next?” to spark ideas.
- Play Pretend: Act out stories with toys or costumes to inspire narratives.
- Draw Stories: Encourage drawing pictures and describing the story behind them.
- Listen Actively: Show interest in their tales to build confidence.
These activities align with the storytelling focus at The Fern Early Learning Centres, reinforcing your child’s love for stories.
Start Your Child’s Kinder Journey with The Fern
In 2025, The Fern Early Learning Centres’ 4-year-old kinder program is dedicated to sparking a love for storytelling, helping your child shine. Our early learning curriculum, low educator-child ratios, and focus on storytelling create a nurturing space for children to thrive. With Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Free Kinder options, quality care is within reach.
