A centre to support new parents and carers will be constructed in Werribee next year.
The state government last week announced a new Early Parenting Centre will be built at 239-245 Princes Highway, under a $123 million plan to develop seven such facilities in major growth areas.
Minister for Health Martin Foley, Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly and Werribee MP Tim Pallas visited Werribee to make the announcement last week.
The Early Parenting Centre will provide parents and carers of children aged up to four years old with advice and support on matters including feeding and caring for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
“Wyndham’s new Early Parenting Centre will deliver flexible, targeted services to help parents with sleep and settling issues, supporting hundreds of local families a year,” Mr Pallas said.
With 10 residential units and four day-stay units, the centre will offer day-stays and longer residential stay programs to improve the health of infants and youngsters.
About one in two Victorian parents attend early parenting centres due to problems with their child’s sleeping, which can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents and impact upon a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.
“Becoming a parent can be one of life’s greatest challenges and there will be times when new parents need a little extra help to ensure their children get the best start in life,” Ms Connolly said.
The Princes Highway centre will be operated by Tweddle Child and Family Health Service.
Construction is expected to start in early 2022 and finish later in the year.
