More local mums and dads will get the specialised support they need to care for their new babies close to home - with an upgraded Early Parenting Centre in Noble Park now ready to welcome families.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced the completion of the expanded centre - which now has the capacity to support more families in their child's first 1,000 days.
Operated by the Queen Elizabeth Centre, the upgraded facility will provide parents and carers with vital services, including help with sleep and settling, feeding, and extra care for babies with additional needs.
The completed centre now features a new entrance, four additional residential family units, a dining room, a nurse station, refurbished administration areas and includes new native landscaping and additional parking, enhancing the centre's accessibility and environment.
The residential family units are designed with flexibility in mind, supporting different family structures. Families can bring multiple children or accommodate an older sibling, grandparent, or other carer during their stay, ensuring everyone receives the support they need.
The Labor Government is investing more than $185 million to expand our network of 13 Early Parenting Centres across the state, including a dedicated Aboriginal Early Parenting Centre in Frankston, upgrades to Noble Park and Geelong, and five brand new centres in Wyndham, Whittlesea, Casey, Ballarat and Geelong.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"These upgrades will help even more local families get the support they need in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities now and into the future."
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Noble Park Early Parenting Centre has a long and proud history of partnering with families and communities to deliver outstanding early parenting support that enables children to thrive."
Quote attributable for Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
"This newly renovated centre represents our ongoing commitment to enhancing early childhood services, making sure families receive the essential support they need during the most formative years of their children's lives."
Quote attributable for Member for Mulgrave Eden Foster
"The upgraded centre will provide more families access to longer residential stays, improving health, wellbeing and development outcomes for hundreds of families per year."
Quote attributable for Member for Clarinda Meng Heang Tak
"We know that the early stages of parenthood can be overwhelming. With these new upgrades, the Noble Park Early Parenting Centre will be better equipped to guide families through these critical times."
