So you’ve decided to homeschool—now what?
It’s time to choose your curriculum! But before you dive into all the hundreds of options out there, let’s chat about how to find the one that’s right for you and your family. I know this can feel a little daunting, but trust me, you’ve got this!
Step 1: Understand Your Child’s Learning Style
The first thing you’ll need to figure out is how your child learns best. Not every child fits into the same mold when it comes to education, and that’s the beauty of homeschooling. So, what’s your kid like? Do they thrive with hands-on activities? Are they more visual, absorbing everything through pictures or videos? Or do they love reading through books and worksheets?
Understanding your child’s learning style will help you choose a curriculum that’s most suited to them. If you pick a curriculum that doesn’t fit your child’s style, you’re both going to be frustrated (and I can tell you from experience, that doesn’t help anyone).
When starting out with my oldest we started with reading eggs but ended up using Gather round for phonics as it had a lot of learning about animals which she loved and then we move to simply homeschool because she loved the craft. We didn’t finish of gather round, we just changed! She was still progressing and she loved doing both.
Step 2: Decide How Much Structure You Want
Homeschooling can be structured or flexible—it’s up to you! Some families love having a clear, detailed schedule that tells them exactly what to do each day. Others prefer more freedom to explore, incorporating lessons into real-world experiences and play.
Do you want a ready-made curriculum with everything mapped out for you, or are you okay with creating a more relaxed, personalized approach? If you’re just starting out, it might be easier to follow a structured curriculum to keep yourself on track. It this can also add to much pressure depending on your child.
Let me give you 4 scenarios for a kindy homeschool family:
Scenario 1: You have no structure and your child asks you “why do ants carry food on their back instead of just eating it?” You jump on the opportunity to research the answer and find out all, about ants, maybe you make an ant farm to watch it live in action and you have just covered an array of subjects.
Scenario 2: You sit your child down with Reading eggs to learn to read because they love to be on their iPad and playing games.
Scenario 3: You and the kids hit the beach and explore the water, you show them how to write their name in the sand, on the way home you stop by the shops and your children help you find the cheapest milk, the pasta in aisle 5 and you have a conversation about sugar and why it’s not good to eat all the time.
Scenario 4:
8:00am breakfast
8:30am start school with devotions
8:50am Hand writing
9:00am spelling
9:15am reading
9:45am morning tea etc etc ect
All 4 of these scenarios are OK, and not only these, There are 1000s of other ways that are also ok. It’s about helping your child thrive!
Step 3: Explore Different Curriculum Options
Alright, time to get to the fun part—exploring the options. There are a ton of different homeschooling curricula out there, each catering to different learning styles, subjects, and levels. Some are based on traditional schooling methods, while others offer more creative, relaxed approaches.
Here are some of the popular options for curriculums:
10 Homeschool Curriculums for Australian Families
Choosing the right homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming, but the beauty of homeschooling is that you get to decide what works best for your family. Whether you want a structured, faith-based approach or a flexible, child-led experience, theres something for everyone. Below is a list of 10 fantastic homeschool curricula, including Christian and secular options, online programs, book-based learning, and even resources for creating your own curriculum.
1. Australian Christian Home Schooling (ACHS)
ACHS is Australia’s oldest and largest Christian homeschool provider, offering a structured curriculum that covers core subjects while incorporating Christian values. It provides full academic support, making it ideal for families who want clear guidance and a strong faith-based foundation.
Best for:
- Families looking for a faith-based, structured curriculum
- Parents who want long-term homeschool support
- Students who thrive on textbook-based learning
Website: achs.edu.au
2. Gather Round Homeschool
Gather Round is a unit study-based curriculum, meaning all subjects (except math) are taught through one central theme each month. Kids of all ages can learn together, making it ideal for large families. It is literature-rich and faith-based, with a focus on discussion and creativity.
Best for:
- Families who want to teach all kids together
- Parents who love literature-based learning
- Christian families looking for a biblical approach
Website: gatherroundhomeschool.com
3. My Homeschool
My Homeschool is an Australian-based curriculum that blends classical and Charlotte Mason approaches. It offers structured lesson plans but allows flexibility in how you teach. It is aligned with Australian education requirements, making registration and reporting easier.
Best for:
- Parents looking for an Australian Christian curriculum
- Families who love living books and nature-based learning
- Those needing a curriculum that supports homeschool registration
Website: myhomeschool.com.au
4. Simply Homeschool
Simply Homeschool is a flexible, book-based curriculum that does not require screens and encourages real-world learning. They offer online classes, homeschool camps, and a supportive community.
Best for:
- Families wanting low-screen, hands-on learning
- Parents who prefer real books over worksheets
- Homeschoolers who love community events and workshops
Website: simplyhomeschool.com.au
5. The Good and the Beautiful
This Christian curriculum offers beautifully designed, open-and-go lessons. It covers Language Arts, Math, Science, and History with a focus on family, nature, and high character. Lessons require minimal prep and integrate multiple subjects together.
Best for:
- Parents looking for a quality Free curriculum
- Families who want a wholesome, Christian-based program
- Kids who thrive on visual, engaging materials
Website: thegoodandthebeautiful.com
6. Euka
Euka is an Australian online homeschool program aligned with the national curriculum but fully flexible. It allows students to move at their own pace, offering a mix of online and offline activities.
Best for:
- Families wanting a structured, secular curriculum
- Parents who like online learning options
- Students who thrive with self-paced education
Website: euka.edu.au
7. Accelerate Christian Home Schooling (ACE Program)
ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) is a self-paced, mastery-based curriculum with a strong biblical worldview. It uses workbook-style PACEs to help students master each subject before moving on.
Best for:
- Parents wanting a structured, self-paced program
- Families who want a strong biblical foundation
- Kids who prefer independent learning
Website: accelerate.edu.au
8. Charlotte Mason Inspired Programs (Ambleside Online & A Gentle Feast)
Charlotte Masons approach emphasizes living books, nature study, and short, engaging lessons. Programs like Ambleside Online (free) and A Gentle Feast provide structured plans based on her methods.
Best for:
- Families who love reading and nature-based learning
- Parents who prefer short, focused lessons
- Kids who enjoy learning from real-life experiences
Websites:
- amblesideonline.org (Free curriculum)
- Simply homeschool has many living book units
9. Australia Christian Education (ACE Australia)
ACE Australia provides self-paced, workbook-style learning with a strong biblical foundation. It allows students to progress at their own pace while ensuring they master each concept before moving on.
Best for:
- Parents wanting a structured, Christian curriculum
- Families who prefer independent, self-paced learning
- Students who need clear, sequential instruction
Website: aceaust.com.au
10. Create Your Own Curriculum
Many homeschooling families prefer to mix and match resources to create a customised education that suits their children’s learning styles. You do not have to buy a full curriculum instead, you can put together your own using great resources available in Australia.
Where to Find Materials:
- Pascal Press Australian textbooks covering English, Maths, Science, and more (pascalpress.com.au)
- Twinkl Printable worksheets and lesson plans for all subjects (twinkl.com.au)
- Scholastic Engaging books for all ages (scholastic.com.au)
- ABC Education Free educational videos and activities (education.abc.net.au)
- Australian History Mysteries Interactive Australian history resources (australianhistorymysteries.info)
- Math-U-See Hands-on, mastery-based math program (mathusee.com.au)
But remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You might have to experiment a little and figure out what works best for you and your child.
Step 4: Consider Your Family’s Schedule and Needs
How much time do you have to dedicate to homeschooling each day? If you’re a busy mom (like I am!), you might need a more condensed, easy-to-follow curriculum. If you have more time to dedicate to lessons, you can go with something more involved.
Also, consider how you like to spend time as a family. Do you prefer a mix of learning at home and going on field trips? Do you want a curriculum that incorporates art, science, and history into one cohesive unit? Again, it’s all about what works for you.
Step 5: Take the Plunge!
Don’t overthink it. Choose a curriculum, try it out, and see how it goes. You can always change it up if it’s not working. The great thing about homeschooling is the flexibility. So, take the leap, and remember—you can always make adjustments along the way.
Need More Help?
Getting started with homeschool can be hard, if need a bit more help then Download my free pdf, “Homeschool How to Get Started: The Ultimate Guide” for more detailed advice on how to pick the perfect curriculum for your child.
[Download Your Free Guide Here!]
