Designs released for the Whittlesea early parenting centre

Families in Whittlesea and surrounds will soon have better access to early parenting support.

We’ve released the designs and construction is progressing on the new multi-million-dollar Whittlesea early parenting centre.

The centre will help families with children up to four years of age enhance their relationships and achieve their parenting goals. This will include:

• advice and care for parents and carers
• support with sleep and settling
• support with feeding
• extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.

Sleep and settling is one of the biggest challenges facing new parents. Around one in two parents who attend early parenting centres report problems with their child’s sleep.

Lack of sleep can lead to post-natal depression, isolation and stress for parents while affecting a child’s behavioural, mental and physical development.

About the new early parenting centre

The new centre will be located at 34 Anchorage Drive in South Morang. It will include:

• 10 residential family units
• four day-stay places
• a kitchen and dining area
• playrooms
• outdoor play areas.

The final designs reveal the facility’s exteriors, kitchen and dining area and residential family units. These have been carefully considered to create a safe and serene environment where families can feel at home.

Childcare experts, local community groups and traditional owners were consulted as part of the design process. This helped to ensure the design reflects the community it serves.