4 February 2015

Banksia Grove, Clarkson, Merriwa and Neerabup families to benefit from newest Child and Parent Centre

Peter Katsambanis MLC, Member for North Metropolitan Region, today joined with local families, staff, students and Premier Colin Barnett to officially open the Child and Parent Centre at Neerabup Primary School.

"This Centre will help give local children the best possible start in life, improve their health and education opportunities and allow them to maximise their potential in the future," Mr Katsambanis said. 

“Child and Parent Centres make it easier for local families to access essential services and help children become familiar with school from an early age.”

“Parents from Banksia Grove, Clarkson, Merriwa and Neerabup can now get health checks and early learning opportunities for their young children in an easily accessible location.

“Ninety per cent of a child’s brain is developed within the first three years, and how children learn during their early years greatly influences their success at school and in later life.

This is the 10th Child and Parent Centre opened by the State Government and will be operated by the well-respected Ngala organisation. These centres include child health clinics, consultant’s rooms, group activity rooms, undercover fenced outdoor play areas and kitchens.

“Child and Parent Centres will ensure kids who are most at-risk of falling through the cracks or drifting into anti-social behaviour in the future - and potentially crime - have access to a range of services.

“They also aim to get parents engaged and to provide information in a range of areas such as nutrition, health and offer community contacts and support.

$48.7 million has been invested in 16 centres from 2013 to 2017 was part of a commitment to give WA children the very best start in life and at school. In addition to the 10 centres already officially opened, a further six centres have started operating.

“I am very proud to see the State Government continuing to support the needs of the local community in Banskia Grove, Clarkson, Merriwa and Neerabup with this latest initiative that is targeted at the many young families that are making this area their home." Mr Katsambanis concluded. 

For more information on this Centre, please click here.