PAKENHAM’S new children’s centre set new standards for excellence and innovation, the Victorian Minister for Children, Lisa Neville, said last week.

Ms Neville said the $2.35-million facility would make service providers around the state sit up and take notice.

“I hope other councils come and look at this as an example of what they might do,” she said.

Ms Neville joined Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato and Cardinia Shire Council mayor Kate Lempriere to officially open the centre.

Parents and children would benefit from the award-winning facility which brought together a range of early years services under the one roof in a “caring and nurturing environment”, Ms Neville said.

The Lakeside Children’s Centre, completed earlier this year, includes a double unit kindergarten with capacity for 60 children.

Other features include:

A MULTI-purpose room for use by occasional care.

PARENTS’ groups and playgroups.

A MATERNAL and child-health service.

CONSULTING rooms for specialist services.

Cardinia council built the facility, near the new aquatic centre, with a $900,000 contribution from the State Government. Shire officials, MPs and local school principals joined parents and children at the opening.

Ms Lobato said it was a unique centre that would provide better integrated and more accessible services for children and families in Pakenham.

“This centre is something I’ve pushed hard for over the last two years. It’s really rewarding to see local children playing, learning and being cared for in such a great facility,” she said.

Cr Lempriere said the centre offered a play-based experience for families and children and provided a flexible, multi-use facility that could meet the needs of a rapidly growing community. The centre’s design and development would allow children to play and create with natural materials and engage with the environment and explore play through nature, she said.

Cr Lempriere thanked the State Government for its support.