*This is a sponsored post with the American Red Cross. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
My kids are 6,4, and 1 so I am BUSY! Which also means, I love a good date night. I am always on the lookout for a good babysitter but one of the most important things to me is to make sure that they are trained in knowing what to do in an emergency! Without having the necessary training through a babysitter class, I will not hire them. If there is ever an emergency at home, I need to make sure I am leaving a babysitter who is in very capable hands.
That is why I am excited to learn that The American Red Cross launched an online only version of its popular Advanced Child Care Training course, offering training on how to care for young children and handle emergency situations. Everyone you hire must have basic skills to take care of your kids.
There is two main classes that are being offered by the American Red Cross to get babysitters ready!
The first is Advanced Child Care Training which offers child development, routine child care and behavior, safety inside/outside the house, the business of child care in a residential setting. This class is for babysitters 16 and up and is a 4 1/2 hour class. This is more for the older babysitter who has been sitting for awhile and needs even more experience.
This course teaches those caring for children in a residential setting how to safely and responsibly care for children and infants in and around the home. The course covers the most common child care routines and behavior along with safety inside and outside of the house such as driving with children and water safety.
The course employs advanced simulation learning, an immersive learning experience that uses engaging case-based scenarios involving typical child care situations, offers a safe environment in which to learn and practice procedures and develops the critical thinking skills required to respond to both behavioral and emergency situations.
Online training is self-paced and is available 24/7; it can be completed in approximately 4.5 hours. Participants earn badges as they progress that can be shared with friends and family on social media. Additional self-directed learning is included in the course’s resource center, including downloadable skill sheets on subjects such as spoon-feeding infants, lesson summaries, fact sheets, templates for résumés and business cards, administrative forms and age‐appropriate activity ideas.
Note: Advanced Child Care Training is not a licensing program and does not meet all state requirements for child care centers or day care providers.
This next class is to learn the leadership skills, age-appropriate activities, basic child care, basic first aid and safety, and guidance on developing a babysitting business. This is for ages 11-15.
Launched in 2013, Babysitting Basics is an online variation of the Babysitter’s Training course. Designed for 11 to 15 year olds, the course covers topics similar to Babysitter’s Training, although not as in-depth. Because the course is slightly abridged, it takes approximately four hours and successful completion provides participants with digital diploma.
Online training is self-paced and is available 24/7. Participants earn badges as they progress which can be shared with friends and family on Facebook. Additional self-directed learning is included in the course’s resource center, including downloadable skill sheets on subjects such as spoon-feeding infants, lesson summaries, fact sheets, templates for resumes and business cards, administrative forms and age‐appropriate activity ideas.
This is essential that your babysitters have the necessary skills to watch your children. These two programs are awesome and are on promotion right now.
Giveaway: One winner will receive the Babysitting Basics Online Course. This giveaway is run via rafflecopter so click read more to see the actual giveaway. The only mandatory entry is to tell me what your favorite part of this course is. Please put all comments in comment section proceeding this post. While the other entries are optional, I highly suggest filling them out to increase your chances of winning. US only. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I remember taking this as a young girl to babysit. I had always wanted to take a refresher as a parent. Always good to have this knowledge for the safety of kids!
I am in my 3rd week of babysitting for my now 5 month old grandson. I am 62 and raised 2 children. alot has changed since my children were babies. My goal besides watching him so he is safe at all times, is to follow the lead of his parents. I had my turn and now it is theres. I think they are doing a wonderful job and I have really learned alot by their fine example.
I remember taking this through Gil Scouts as a little girl. So glad they still offer it and it has got web based. Anyone thinking of babysitting (young and old) should take this.
I loved learning about the basic childcare skills the most. Holding a baby, feeding a baby/infant. So sweet <3
What a wonderful program! It can really benefit many teenagers interested in babysitting. That was my first job and I loved it!
I like that The American Red Cross Advanced Child Care Training Online course teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to responsibly care for children and infants in and outside of the home.
i’ve gotten training from them- the classes are great and very useful
I am pretty certain that my sister and cousins took a very similar course. I think parents would appreciate this and would be more likely to pay better and hire an individual with this training.
This is important, especially for those who will be doing this for the first time.
I recall hearing about a course like one of these years back. It sounds like a great way to help provide those new to babysitting with skills they’ll need for safety as well as give them some confidence.
Love that the price is so affordable. For under $50 they get training that most of us could not provide.
That sounds really great. I think any kid looking to babysit should have this course. I know I would have felt better if my baby sitters had had this!
What I like the best is you can take this course online!
I like that there is a course out there for sitters. I would feel a lot more comfortable leaving my children with a person who has taken this course.
I love that this is affordable for anyone to become a safe and wonderful babysitter. Leaving your kids with someone who knows basic first aid and such is such a relief!
I like that you get training in child safety.
I love that the course is online and is just basic information about child safety, etc.
I’d love for my stepdaughter to take this course. I took out at her age and it was a great prep.
I took this course years ago (really years ago) when I was a teen babysitter
I love that this is web-based.
What i like best is learners will be engaged in virtual environments in which world-class animated characters respond specifically to choices made.
I like how this can help many save lives!