The Stride Scoop

The Stride Scoop

Welcome

As we move further into the year, it’s been lovely to see many children and families settling into their rhythm at Stride. By this stage, routines are starting to feel familiar, children are building friendships and becoming more confident in their spaces. For families who have recently joined us, we hope you are beginning to feel part of the community.

Settling into the new year can also bring challenges for our parents; holidays, changes in work schedules or unexpected missed days can all be part of the journey. At Stride, we aim to support families wherever we can, from clear communication with our centre teams to practical support within the day, including healthy meals prepared for children and everyday essentials such as nappies provided so families can focus on what matters most.

Thank you for being part of the Stride community. We look forward to continuing to support your child’s learning, confidence and wellbeing throughout the months ahead.

Rory – Owner | Stride Early Learning

THIS MONTH AT STRIDE

As we move through March, our centres have been filled with meaningful moments of learning, connection and celebration. This month we recognised International Women’s Day, taking time to celebrate the incredible educators and women across our community who nurture, guide and inspire children every day.

We also shared more about an exciting step forward for Stride – the introduction of Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy within our centres from 2026, giving children access to assessment and ongoing therapy within their familiar learning environment and fully included as part of the Stride offering.

In this edition, we’ll also look ahead to the upcoming school holidays, share important leave reminders, and feature a recipe from one of our centres that you can try at home with your family.

Stride has had a busy month of celebrations, learning and community!

Across our centre’s we’ve seen Nursery Rhymes at Midland, Fairy Tales and Holi Celebrations at Baldivis, St Patricks Day at Ardross and so much more. Check out our social media pages to keep up to date with everything we are doing across Stride Early Learning.

DATES & REMINDERS

As the year gets underway, we kindly remind families to keep the following in mind.

If your routine or booked days have changed, please let your Centre Manager know.

Ensure all medical information, allergy plans and immunisation records are up to date.

If you are thinking ahead to 2026 enrolment needs, we encourage early conversations, as some centres have limited availability.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN TERM 1

Friday 3 April – Good Friday

Monday 6 April – Easter Monday

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN TERM 1

Term 1 runs from Monday 2 February to Thursday 2 April 2026.

As we move through March and into the Easter season, we want to help families plan ahead for the upcoming holiday period. If your child will be away from care during Easter or over the school holidays, please remember to submit a holiday notification in advance.

Providing at least two weeks’ notice allows our centres to plan staffing and ensure we can continue delivering the best care for all children.

If your family will be taking leave, you can quickly update your child’s attendance by submitting a holiday notification online.

Update your child’s booking here

As always, if you are planning changes to your child’s schedule or have questions about upcoming holidays, your centre team is always happy to help.

If you are navigating changes at home or adjusting care days, your centre team is always available to talk things through with you.

HARMONY DAY

Across our Stride centres, Harmony Week was a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion and belonging. Children and educators came together wearing orange, the recognised colour of Harmony Week, to spark conversations around culture, individuality and respect.

Throughout the week, centres embraced a range of experiences that encouraged children to explore different backgrounds, share stories and learn from one another.

At Stride Belmont, the celebration included a live online concert with Hey Dee Ho, bringing music, movement and joy into the learning environment. Moments like these reflect our commitment to creating spaces where every child feels valued, supported and proud of who they are.

SAFETY & CULTURE

As we move through March, we’ve been taking time to reflect on the people who shape each child’s experience across our centres. A big part of this is the high standards we set in recruiting and supporting our educators. Every team member is carefully selected through a thorough process that includes qualifications, background checks and a strong alignment to our values of trust, accountability and care. What stands out most, however, is the feedback we consistently receive from families.

Parents often share how supported and understood they feel, and the confidence they have knowing their child is in safe, capable hands. It’s this combination of strong recruitment and genuinely caring educators that allows us to create environments where children can grow, progress and feel a true sense of belonging every day.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Supporting children’s development is about more than learning and play. It’s about noticing when children may benefit from a little extra guidance and ensuring families feel supported along the way.

This month, we’re sharing more about an exciting step forward at Stride – the introduction of Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy within our early learning centres from 2026. Working closely with children every day, educators are often the first to notice early signs that a child may benefit from additional support in areas like communication, movement or regulation.

By bringing allied health professionals into our centres, children will be able to receive assessment and ongoing therapy within their familiar learning environment, helping families access earlier support and clearer guidance without needing to navigate multiple external appointments.

Read our latest blog to learn more about this initiative, or explore what else is on offer at Stride below.

MONTHLY WELLBEING REMINDER

Early support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development, so sharing any concerns about communication, movement or behaviour with educators early helps ensure the right guidance is available when it matters most.

Leanne’s Sausage Rolls

A classic, budget-friendly recipe that is easy to prepare and perfect for sharing at home.

Ingredients

  • 12 sheets of puff pastry
  • 1kg sausage meat
  • 2 onions
  • 2 grated carrots
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups grated cheese
  • 200mL Worcestershire
  • sauce
  • 2 cups of breadcrumbs

Method

  1. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees.
  2. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
  3. Lay sheets of pastry flat and cut horizontally.
  4. Place mixture on top of the pastry and roll, finishing seam side down.
  5. Cut into pieces of 8 and place on lined baking trays.
  6. Brush with milk and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown With thanks to Stride Early Learning Ardross for sharing this recipe.

QUICK LINKS & CONTACTS

Parent Hub and Resources

Available via the website or through your centre team

Contact Us

Phone: (08) 6285 7400

Email: admin@strideearlylearning.wa.edu.au

Download Parent Handbook

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