MORE THAN CHILDCARE.
ALLIED HEALTH SUPPORT IS INCLUDED AT STRIDE.
At Stride, children have access to on-site Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy support through our specialist allied health partner.
From screening through to ongoing therapy, support is delivered during your child’s care day and included as part of your Stride fees, with no out-of-pocket cost to families.
Start your stride journey now
On-site
support
Included in
your fees
No waitlist
through Stride
No external
referral
No additional
cost
Why we are Doing This
You shouldn’t have to carry every question alone.
Raising young children has become more complex. Parents are expected to notice everything, and to know what’s typical, what can wait, and where to go if something needs more support. That’s a lot to carry.
The village may look different now, but families still need one. At Stride, our educators know your child. They see the little moments every day. Now, our allied health team adds a specialist lens to those moments, so guidance and support are easier to access earlier, in the place your child already belongs.
Stride is removing the barriers, not adding to them:
- No double drop offs or extra appointment logistics
- No external referral pathway to navigate first
- No waitlist to access the support available through the centre
- No additional cost for families as part of the Stride model
Our Response
Specialist support, built into your child’s day.
This is more than identification and referral. Our qualified Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work alongside our educators inside the early learning environment, so children can be screened, supported and, where needed, receive ongoing therapy in the centre they already know.
Stride is removing the barriers, not adding to them:
- Onsite Speech Pathology
- Onsite Occupational Therapy
- One connected team
- Part of the Stride model
A new standard for early learning in WA
Stride is currently building this model, recruiting Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, preparing our educators and centres, and planning a staged rollout from 2026. We’ll continue to share updates as this initiative progresses.
By bringing assessment and ongoing therapy into early learning, fully included and delivered in-centre, Stride is setting a new standard for how childcare can support children and families during the years that matter most.
Because early support matters.
What this means for families
- No additonal fees for allied health support
- Earlier access to assessment and intervention
- Ongoing therapy support, not one-off reccomendations
- One connected team supporting your child
By integrating Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy into the early learning environment, Stride is removing many of the barriers families face when seeking support. Children can be assessed and supported as part of their regular care routine, while families gain clarity, continuity, and reassurance that support is ongoing.
This is part of how Stride delivers care, not an optional add-on.
Important Note: This support focuses on early development and everyday strategies. It works alongside families and existing healthcare services and does not replace medical or diagnostic care.
The journey
What families can expect
A simple, supported path, from everyday observation through to support that fits your child’s care routine.
18m+
We screen every child aged 18 months and over. Screening runs on a rolling basis, so each child is reviewed at least once a year, keeping development on track and age appropriate.
Your child's educators prepare everything, so screening fits naturally into the day.
Case history completed. Educators complete a short case history, capturing what they see every day.
Children prioritised. Stride flags any child who may benefit from Speech (SP) or Occupational Therapy (OT) support, and our allied health team coordinates visit days with the centre.
A gentle screen onsite, in a space your child already knows.
Screening onsite at the centre. An allied health therapist screens your child in their familiar space, and educators help them settle in.
We turn the screen into a clear, shareable picture.
Report prepared. A screening report is prepared for your child.
Ongoing needs identified. Any child who would benefit from ongoing therapy is identified.
Shared with your centre. The completed report is shared back with Stride.
From here, our therapists communicate directly with families to plan next steps together.
We plan with you directly and, where it helps, therapy begins onsite.
Assessment, if needed. A more comprehensive assessment may be arranged to accurately understand any areas of support.
Schedule set together. Therapist and educators agree session length and frequency together.
Full case history. Parents provide a full case history.
Therapy begins onsite. If no further assessment is required, therapy begins onsite at your Stride centre.
PHASE 1 · GET READY
Stride Educators
1
Case history completed
Your child’s educators complete a short case history, capturing what they see every day.
2
Children prioritised
Stride flags any child who may benefit from Speech (SP) or Occupational Therapy (OT) support, and our allied health team coordinates visit days with the centre.
PHASE 2 · SCREENING VISIT
Allied Health · Onsite
3
Screening onsite at the centre
An allied health therapist visits and screens your child in their familiar space. Speech and OT screens run on separate days with different therapists, and educators help your child settle in.
4
About 30 minutes each
Each screen takes approximately 30 minutes per child, per service.
PHASE 3 · FINDINGS & REPORT
Allied Health Team
5
Report prepared
A screening report is prepared for your child.
6
Ongoing needs identified
Any child who would benefit from ongoing therapy is identified.
7
Shared with your centre
The completed report is shared back with Stride.
♥
From here, our therapists communicate directly with families to plan next steps together.
PHASE 3 · FINDINGS & REPORT
Allied Health Team
8
Full case history
Parents provide a full case history.
9
Assessment, if needed
A more comprehensive assessment may be arranged to accurately understand any areas of support.
10
Therapy begins onsite
If no further assessment is required, therapy begins onsite at your Stride centre.
11
Schedule set together
Therapist and educators agree session length and frequency together: 30 or 45 minutes, weekly or fortnightly.
The little signs
A guide to what you might notice
A new word. A tricky transition. A brave attempt to join play. The little moments matter, and they can tell us a lot. Here’s a gentle guide to typical speech and language development. Every child grows at their own pace, so think of these as things to look out for, not a checklist to worry over.
By 12 months
- Responds to their name
- Enjoys “waiting for a reaction” games, like peekaboo
- Starts to use different sounds and gestures
- Begins to say first words
By 18 months
- Follows simple instructions, like “roll the ball”
- Points to items when named
- Consistently uses between 6 to 20 words
- Uses objects in pretend play, like holding a phone to their ear
- Copies lots of words and noises
By 24 months
- Responds to “where” questions and some simple “what” questions
- Follows some simple two part instructions, like “give me the cup and the apple”
- Uses more than 50 words
- Puts two words together, like “car go”
- Makes lots of different consonants and all vowel sounds
Some signs may indicate your child could benefit from a little extra support. If you’d like guidance, our Speech Pathologists are right here at your centre, with no referral or appointment chase needed.
Join the families growing with Stride.
Enrolments for 2026 are now open — and places at our most popular centres are filling fast. Whether you’re ready to enrol or simply want to explore your options, we’d love to show you around.
Secure your 2026 place today and be part of a new era in early learning — where care, enrichment, and opportunity come together.
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