In a significant development aimed at bolstering support for new parents in the western suburbs of Wyndham and beyond, the first of 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres has been completed. Premier Jacinta Allan, accompanied by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas and Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn, visited the newly constructed multi-million-dollar Wyndham Early Parenting Centre in Werribee. This state-of-the-art facility, designed to provide a nurturing environment akin to a home away from home, is set to open its doors to parents later this month.
The Wyndham Early Parenting Centre is specifically tailored to assist families with children up to four years of age, offering crucial guidance and support on issues such as sleep and settling, feeding, and specialized care for infants and toddlers with additional needs.
One of the most pressing challenges confronting new parents, particularly in Victoria, is managing their child’s sleep. Approximately half of Victorian parents utilizing Early Parenting Centres have reported difficulties in this area. Such challenges can lead to post-natal depression, feelings of isolation, and heightened stress levels among parents, and may also adversely impact a child’s behavioral, mental, and physical development.
The newly inaugurated centre comprises ten residential family units and four day-stay places, accommodating both short-term and extended residential stay programs with the aim of enhancing the health, well-being, and developmental outcomes of children.
To cater to diverse family structures, the residential family units have been thoughtfully designed to offer flexibility. Families are provided with the option to bring multiple children or to accommodate older siblings, grandparents, or other caregivers during their stay.
The facility boasts purpose-built amenities, including kitchen and dining areas, playrooms, and outdoor play spaces, all of which have been developed in collaboration with the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service.
This initiative to establish 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres is part of the Labor Government’s $148 million investment to expand the early parenting service network. Furthermore, an allocation of $18.9 million from the Victorian Budget 2023/24 has been earmarked to fulfill election commitments, including the establishment of a new centre in Northcote and an Aboriginal-led centre in Frankston.
In addition to this, the current budget allocates resources to enhance the time spent by newborns with maternal nurses, provide support for mothers grappling with breastfeeding challenges, and offer assistance to new fathers.
Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “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.”
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas also acknowledged the milestone, saying, “This is a significant milestone, the first of 12 new and upgraded Early Parenting Centres to open its doors as part of our $148 million investment to build and upgrade centres across Victoria.”
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn emphasized the critical importance of the early years in a child’s life, stating, “A child’s first 1,000 days of life are critical – and we’re delivering more centres like this across Victoria, to make sure every family gets the best possible start.”
Member for Werribee Tim Pallas added, “We’re giving families in Werribee and across Wyndham a place where they can get the support and advice they need to care for their babies, close to home.”
The opening of the Wyndham Early Parenting Centre signifies a significant step toward providing vital support to families in the region and highlights the commitment of the government to bolstering early parenting services across Victoria.
