New parents across in the City of Casey and Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs will soon get the specialised support they need, closer to home – with a new Early Parenting Centre now complete in Clyde North.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today toured the new multi-million-dollar facility – the third completed by the Allan Labor Government as part of a plan to deliver 12 new or upgraded centres.
Designed to feel like a home away from home, the new centre will support families with children up to four years of age, giving them expert advice and care – including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
Sleep and settling is one of the biggest challenges facing new parents, with around half of Victorian parents who use Early Parenting Centres reporting problems with their child’s sleep. This can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents and affect a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.
The new centre features 10 residential family units and four day-stay places, providing both short-term and longer residential stay programs to improve the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of children.
The residential family units are designed with flexibility in mind and support different family structures. Families can bring multiple children or accommodate an older sibling, grandparent, or other carer during their stay.
The purpose-built centre also includes kitchen and dining areas, playrooms and outdoor play areas, delivered in partnership with Monash Health.
The 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres are part of the Labor Government’s $148 million investment to expand Victoria’s early parenting service network, as well as $18.9 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to deliver on an election commitment for a new centre in Northcote and an Aboriginal-led centre in Frankston.
Building on this work, this year’s Budget also invested to increase the time new-borns spend with maternal and child health nurses to help mums struggling with breastfeeding, and support new dads.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“Becoming a parent is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and difficult too – that is why we are supporting families across the south east through the delivery of our new Clyde north facility.”
As stated by Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Michael Galea
“The completion of this new Early Parenting Centre will be a lifeline for families in the south east who need that little bit of extra support.”
As stated by Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards
“We know that sleep and settling can be some of the biggest challenges with new babies – so we’re bringing more specialised support to parents in Cranbourne to help them navigate the early days of parenthood.”
As stated by Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
“This will be such a welcomed centre for new parents and their families in the Casey area – a free service with tailored support and specialist care to help with areas like sleep and settling, building confidence, health and wellbeing, parenting tips and so much more including both day and overnight stay programs.”
As stated by Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Lee Tarlamis
“Completion of this new Early Parenting Centre will hugely benefit families in the south east who will have access to specialised support close to home, during the early stages of parenthood.”
