Welcome
May has been a month full of warmth, celebration and connection across our Stride community. With the cooler weather settling in, there’s something special about watching children and families feel truly at home in their centre; building friendships, settling into routines and growing more confident every day.
As we move into the cooler months, we know life can get busier and the occasional sick day or disrupted routine is simply part of family life. At Stride, we’re here to support you through all of it; from our flexible sick day and holiday policies to our educators who know your child by name and by heart.
There’s plenty inside this edition, with updates from across our centres, health and wellbeing tips for the cooler months, safety reminders and important dates to keep on your radar
The Stride Early Learning Team
THIS MONTH AT STRIDE
May is always a special one. This month we took a moment to honour the incredible mothers, grandmothers and special women in our children’s lives and our centres pulled out all the stops.
At Baldivis, families came together over a home cooked spread, beautifully decorated cupcakes, a photobooth filled with laughter and finger painting that little ones were so proud to share
At Belmont, mothers were treated to pamper stations, handmade gifts crafted with love and a clay flower making activity that sent some truly beautiful keepsakes home.
It was a reminder of what makes this community so special, the moments we create together.
Last month, children across our centres also explored the significance of ANZAC Day through simple, hands-on experiences that helped introduce the ideas of remembrance and community in a way that felt meaningful for little ones.
From poppy crafts to baking traditional ANZAC biscuits together, the rooms were filled with curiosity, conversation and shared moments along the way.
It’s through experiences like these that children begin to connect with the world around them, learning that some moments are worth pausing for, and that even the youngest among us can take part in honouring them.
DATES & REMINDERS
UPCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Western Australia Day – Monday, 1 June 2026
All centres will be closed for the public holiday. Please keep this in mind when planning your week.
Note, as part of our initiatives you can select a replacement day via our Holiday Notification Form
Enrolments & Schedule Changes
If you are considering changes to your child’s days or looking to secure additional bookings, we encourage you to speak with your centre team early to ensure availability.
SAFETY & CULTURE
As we move through the year, the culture across our centres continues to be something we invest in deeply, not just for children, but for the people who care for them every day.
At Stride, we believe the environment a child grows in is shaped just as much by the people around them as the space itself. That’s why we place such a strong focus on the wellbeing, recognition and professional growth of our educators. When our team feels valued and supported, that energy flows directly into the care and connection your children experience each day.
That starts before an educator ever sets foot in one of our rooms. Every person who joins the Stride team goes through a thorough recruitment process, with credentials, qualifications and Working with Children Checks all verified as standard. Because the quality of care your child receives begins with the people we choose to trust with it.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
STAYING WELL THIS AUTUMN
As the cooler months arrive, centres naturally see an increase in coughs, colds and runny noses. It’s completely normal and something we manage carefully together. Here’s a reminder of what helps keep everyone well.
MYTH BUSTING: COMMON QUESTIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR
“My child seems fine now, do they still need to stay home after vomiting yesterday?”
Yes. The 24-hour symptom-free rule applies from their last episode, not from when they started feeling better. This protects other children and our educators too.
“They’re just teething, it’s not a real fever.”
Teething can cause mild temperature rises, but a true fever (38°C or above) still requires the 24-hour paracetamol rule regardless of the cause. When in doubt, give us a call.
“Antibiotics mean they’re not contagious anymore, right?”
Not immediately. Children on antibiotics must stay home for the first 24 hours of treatment, even if they are feeling better, as they may still be infectious.
“A bit of a runny nose is fine, isn’t it?”
A clear runny nose on its own is generally okay, especially in cooler weather. But if it’s accompanied by a fever, lethargy or a change in behaviour, please keep them home and monitor closely.
WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY
Beyond what families do at home, our teams follow strict hygiene protocols across all centres, air purifiers running in every room, filtered water, daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and handwashing or sanitising for all children and visitors on arrival. These aren’t just ticks on a checklist, they’re part of how we care.
A SIMPLE CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
- Has your child had paracetamol in the last 24 hours?
- Have they started a new course of antibiotics today?
- Do they have a fever of 38°C or above?
- Are they unusually lethargic or distressed?
If you ticked yes to any of the above, please keep them home and contact your centre.
Pumpkin Scones
A favourite from our centres, this simple and nutritious meal is a great way to include extra vegetables in a way children enjoy.
Ingredients
- ¼ cut pumpkin
- 3 cups self raising flour
- 80g chilled and cubed butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1-2 tpsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Method
- Preheat oven to 200 °C
- Cut the pumpkin into chunks and sprinkle with brown sugar. Cook in oven for 30-40 minutes (or use leftover pumpkin).
- Sift flour into bowls with cinnamon. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the self-raising flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Mash the cooked pumpkin and add to the flour mix with a butter knife. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add more milk if required.
- Turn the dough on a lightly floured surface (use plain flour) and knead until smooth.
- Lightly dust the baking sheet with plain flour.
- Pat the dough into 2 cm-thick round. Cut scones using 5cm cookie cutter or a glass to cut.
- Place scones on the baking tray and sprinkle with flour.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and well risen.
QUICK LINKS & CONTACTS
We always value open communication with our families. If you have any questions about your child’s development, daily routines or upcoming programs, please feel welcome to speak with your centre team.
Parent Hub and Resources
Available via the website or through your centre team
Contact Us
Phone: (08) 6285 7400
