State Budget 2012-13: Supporting our Community - New Child and Parent Centre in Mandurah

• State Govt will invest $1.5m over 2 years in new facilities for the Child and Parent Centre at Dudley Park Primary School

• Facility to assist families in Mandurah is part of a $28.8million investment over the next 4 years to establish 10 Child and Parent Centres in WA

Education Minister Liz Constable today announced that the State Government would dedicate $1.5million to building a new early childhood facility at a public school in Mandurah.

Dudley Park Primary School will have one of 10 new Child and Parent Centres, which will house a range of professionals easily accessible to families who would like help nurturing their children.

The Government will spend a total of $10.9million at schools around the State on new buildings, refurbishments and purpose-built facilities to provide integrated services for children and parents including parenting workshops, playgroups and child health.

"This centre will provide support and services to some of the most vulnerable children and their families in the Mandurah area," Dr Constable said.

"The centre will ensure that children are well-prepared to succeed at school.

"This is part of a $28.8million investment by the Government over the next four years to establish 10 Child and Parent Centres in Western Australia to help families bring up happy and healthy children who are ready to do well at school.

"With public schools in almost every community in WA, it makes sense to establish these centres at school sites where they can be easily accessed by families."

While the new Child and Parent Centre is expected to officially open in January 2015, services will be offered as soon as a co-ordinator is appointed at the school later this year.

Dudley Park Primary School principal Aaron Thomas said parents were looking forward to getting support at the centre which would help them give their children a better start in life.

"The new centre will provide parents with easier and faster access to services, including speech and occupational therapy," Mr Thomas said.

"In the past, some families have found it difficult to attend appointments. Having this centre at the school means it will be much easier for parents to take their children to regular health checks and access other important services.

"The entire school community is also excited about the appointment of a co-ordinator who will help families to get any help they need."

      Fact File

• The departments of Education and Health and the Department for Communities will work together to deliver services at each Child and Parent Centre

• Centre co-ordinators will begin working with their communities & agencies later this year

• WA Budget statements are available at http://ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5700