New mums and dads across Melbourne's south-east will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility - with construction progressing on the new Early Parenting Centre in Casey.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the multi-million-dollar centre at 114 Newgrange Boulevard in Clyde North is on track to be completed later this year.
The new centre has been carefully designed to create an environment where families can feel safe, comfortable and at home.
Supporting families with children 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 the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of 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 around 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 today reveal the facility's striking exteriors, kitchen and dining area and residential family units which have been designed to feel like home.
The project's architects Brand Architects consulted childcare experts, local community groups and traditional owners as part of the design process to ensure the design reflects the community it serves. Natural light, rooms suitable for various family arrangements and a home feel were some of the priorities included in the final designs.
The centre is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Monash Health, the Queen Elizabeth Centre and S.J. Higgins - with construction expected to be completed in late-2023.
The Casey Early Parenting Centre is being delivered as part of the Andrews Labor Government's $148 million investment to expand and upgrade the early parenting service network.
Once completed, this investment will provide support to more than 5,000 extra families each year meaning that more families with babies and young children can get the early parenting support they need closer to home.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Being a new parent is an incredibly rewarding experience - but it can also be really tough. It's why we're building a new Early Parenting Centre in Casey to support local families get the help they need close to home."
As stated by Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Lee Tarlamis
"Sleep, settling and feeding can be huge challenges for new parents. The Casey Early Parenting Centre will provide families with advice and social support when they need it most, locally."
