Premier Jacinta Allan was in Footscray on Monday to tour the newly refurbished Tweddle Early Parenting Centre.
Expected to support more than 1,200 local families each year, the refurbished centre features a new building housing 12 residential family units, day-stay places, playroom, dining room and multi-purpose room, admin areas and interview rooms.
Outdoor areas including native landscaping and parking, have also been upgraded at Tweddle which provides both short and long-term accommodation for families experiencing sleep problems.
Parents with children under four who are experiencing challenges with sleep, settling and feeding receive expert advice, while extra care is available for babies and toddlers with additional needs.
Along with parents and infants, the centre can also accommodate older siblings, grandparents and other carers during their stay.
Tweddle’s has been operating its Footscray centre since 1920 and now runs early parent services across the state.
The refurbishment was funded as part of $165 million state government plan to upgrade early parenting centres across Victoria including delivering a dedicated Aboriginal Early Parenting Centre in Frankston.
“Whether it’s our new RSV immunisation program or our network of early parenting centres, we are supporting mums, dads and bubs so they can have the best start to family life together,” said Ms Allan after touring the centre on March 31.
“Becoming a parent is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and difficult – that’s why we refurbished Tweddle and supporting families in Footscray,” added Footscray MP, Katie Hall.
