Parents across the City of Casey supported with new Early Parenting Centre

A new “home away from home” has been established for new parents across the City of Casey and Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs to help them get the specialised support they need via a new Early Parenting Centre in Clyde North.

 

The new multi-million-dollar facility is the third of twelve such centres which will be newly built or upgraded as part of a commitment made by the Victorian Government. 

 

Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas toured the new facility which will cater for families with children up to four years of age, giving them expert advice and care – including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.

 

“Becoming a parent is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and difficult too – that is why we are supporting families across the south east through the delivery of our new Clyde North facility,” Minister Thomas said. 

 

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.

 

“We know that sleep and settling can be some of the biggest challenges with new babies – so we’re bringing more specialised support to parents in Cranbourne to help them navigate the early days of parenthood,” Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards said.

 

The new centre features 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 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 Monash Health.

 

“This will be such a welcomed centre for new parents and their families in the Casey area – a free service with tailored support and specialist care to help with areas like sleep and settling, building confidence, health and wellbeing, parenting tips and so much more including both day and overnight stay programs,” Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale said. 

 

The 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres are part of the Labor Government’s $148 million investment to expand Victoria’s early parenting service network, as well as $18.9 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to deliver on an election commitment for a new centre in Northcote and an Aboriginal-led centre in Frankston.

 

Learn more about the Early Parenting Centres here.