Purpose built early parenting support on the way for Mornington Peninsula and Frankston

New parents will soon have better access to early parenting support in a purpose-built facility, with a site announced for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula’s first Early Parenting Centre.

Victoria’s Minister for Health Infrastructure, Mary-Anne Thomas announced the new Early Parenting Centre will be built next to Hastings Community Health site at 185 High Street, Hastings.

The site was carefully selected to provide the best access for families across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula while also being near other health services, public transport and local shops.

Designed to help families with children up to four years of age, the new centre will feature residential family units and day-stay places, providing both short-term and longer residential stay programs to improve the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of children.

Parents will be able to access 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 one in two Victorian parents who are attending the 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 centre is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with The Queen Elizabeth Centre, with support from Peninsula Health.

“We know how hard the first few months of parenthood can be – so we’re giving parents the support they need, closer to home, by building and upgrading Early Parenting Centres across Victoria,” Ms Thomas said.