New mums and dads will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility, with construction now underway on the Andrews Labor Government’s new Early Parenting Centre in Wyndham.

Designed to help families with children under four years of age, the new centre will have 10 residential family units, four day-stay places, a kitchen and dining area, playrooms and outdoor play areas.

The new Early Parenting Centre will provide parents and carers with the advice and care they need, including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for children with additional needs.

Sleep and settling is one of the biggest challenges facing new parents – with around half of Victorian parents who attend the centres reporting problems with their child’s sleep.

Sleep issues can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents and affect a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.

The final designs for the centre released today showcase the facility’s exterior, kitchen, dining area and residential family units, which have been carefully considered to create an environment where families can feel at home.

The project’s architects, Brand Architects, consulted childcare experts, local community groups and traditional owners as part of the process, to ensure the design reflects the community it serves.

The Labor Government is delivering the centre in partnership with the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service and Hutchinson builders, with construction expected to be complete in mid-2023.

The centre forms part of the Labor Government’s $148 million investment to expand and upgrade the state’s early parenting service network – upgrading two existing centres and building eight new centres in growing areas across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

It comes on top of the Government’s $10.1 million investment in maternal and child health services in growth corridors like Wyndham, attracting more staff to the region and better utilising well-established support networks.

The package includes extra work to recruit more Maternal Child Health workers to the area, and a new client IT system to increase system and workforce capabilities – ensuring parents in the growing area have the support they need for their young families.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas

“This new centre will deliver flexible, targeted services to help new parents in Werribee and the surrounding areas with sleep and settling issues, supporting hundreds of local families a year.”

“A child’s first 1,000 days of life are critical – and we’re delivering more early intervention and prevention programs to make sure every family gets the best possible start.”

Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Through this fantastic new centre, families in and around Werribee will be able to access more care and support close to home.”