Wyndham Early Parenting Centre soon to open in Werribee

Freya Lucas

Oct 19, 2023

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New parents in Melbourne’s western suburbs will be better supported with the creation of the first of 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres now complete.

Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn Thomas recently toured the new multi-million-dollar Wyndham Early Parenting Centre in Werribee, set to open to parents later this month.

“Being a new parent is an incredible experience, but it can also be really hard in those first months and years – this new centre will help hundreds of families across Wyndham with sleep and settling issues, close to home,” the Premier said.

Designed to feel like a home away from home, the centre supports families with children up to four years of age, giving them the advice and care they need – like 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 half of Victorian parents who use 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 new centre features ten 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 residential family units are designed with flexibility in mind and support different family structures. Families can bring multiple children or accommodate an older sibling, grandparent, or other carer during their stay.

The purpose-built centre also includes kitchen and dining areas, playrooms and outdoor play areas, delivered in partnership with the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service.

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