Site secured for Casey Early Parenting Centre

From left: Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards and Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas at the Clyde North site. Photo: supplied.

Casey will soon be home to a multi-million dollar Early Parenting Centre, the State Government announced on Friday 10 June.

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale, Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards and Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas were at the site at 65S Matterhorn Drive, Clyde North on Friday to announce plans for the facility.

The new centre will provide parents and carers with the tailored advice and care they need, including support with sleep and settling, feeding and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.

“The new Early Parenting Centre in Casey will provide hundreds of local families with flexible support, improving health and wellbeing outcomes for babies and parents alike,” said Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas.

It is part of the State Government’s $123 million investment that will deliver seven new and two refurbished Early Parenting Centres in major growth areas.

The facility will include 10 residential units and four day stay units to improve the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes for babies and children up to fours years old.

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 impact a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.

“We know that parenting can be challenging and stressful at times and some new mums and dads may need a little extra support to give their children the best start to life,” said Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.

The centre will be operated by Monash Health, in partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Centre, which offers specialised support, care and parenting education services to Victorian Families.

Construction is expected to start in late 2022 and be completed in 2024.