New mums and dads across Melbourne’s south-east will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility.
Construction is progressing on the new Early Parenting Centre in Casey.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced in March that the multi-million-dollar centre at 114 Newgrange Boulevard in Clyde North was on track to be completed later this year.
“Being a new parent is an incredibly rewarding experience – but it can also be really tough,” she said.
The centre has been designed to create an environment where families can feel safe, comfortable and at home.
It will support more than 5000 extra families each year with children aged up to four-years-old.
The new centre will have 10 residential family units and four day-stay places, providing both short-term and longer residential stay programs to improve health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes for children.
The centre will provide parents and carers with the support and advice they need, including help 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 about one in two parents who attend early parenting centres reporting problems with their child’s sleep.
This can lead to post-natal depression, stress and can affect a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.
The final designs for the multi-million-dollar centre released in March revealed the facility’s exteriors, kitchen and dining area and residential family units.
Brand Architects consulted childcare experts, local community groups and traditional owners as part of the design process to ensure the design reflected the community it served.
Natural light, rooms suitable for various family arrangements and a home feel were some of the priorities.
The Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) is delivering the project in partnership with Monash Health, the Queen Elizabeth Centre and SJ Higgins, with construction expected to be completed late this year.
The Casey Early Parenting Centre is being delivered as part of the State Government’s $148 million investment to expand and upgrade the early parenting service network.
