Geelong early parenting centre opens at McKellar Centre

Geelong families will be able to access a variety of free health services to help their children, including sleep and feeding support, at a new centre in the city’s north.

Blair and Courtney Taylor with their baby daughter Delilah and pediatrician Dr Brook Doherty. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong families will be able to access a variety of free health services to help their children, including sleep and feeding support, at a new centre in the city’s north.

The Barwon Early Parenting Centre offers maternal child health nurses, allied health staff and doctors to provide care for kids up until the age of four.

The facility will provide parents and carers with support and advice for sleep and settling, feeding, developmental behaviours and extra care for babies and toddlers with additional needs.

It is located at the McKellar Centre site in North Geelong.

The centre has 10 residential units and four day-stay rooms to provide both short and long-term options for families as well as a kitchen and dining area, playrooms and outdoor play areas.

Barwon Health’s clinical director for women, children and families Professor Dave Fuller said the early years of parenting were some of the most cherished times but it was common for families to experience “new challenges and unique difficulties”.

“Our region is experiencing significant growth, and with that comes a growing demand on

the vital support services we provide to families of young children,” he said.

“This expansion provides access to help that hasn’t been available without travelling to

Melbourne, which is an added difficulty for families experiencing challenges with their infants.”

Geelong parents Blair and Courtney Taylor used the service for their seven-month-old daughter Delilah to help improve her general health.

“We think it’s a great facility to have and for others to access,” Mrs Taylor said.

Lara MP Ella George said: “We know that sleep and settling can be some of the biggest challenges for new parents to face – this new EPC run by Barwon Health will ensure more specialised support to local mums and dads closer to home.”

Originally published as Geelong early parenting centre opens at McKellar Centre