Who: Babysitters from 11 to 15 years old.

What: Teaches the skills and confidence to safely and responsibly care for children and infants.

Where: Mid-Illinois Chapter Office; 2674 N. Main St., Decatur, IL 62526. Cost: $40

Register: By calling 428-7758.

A twelve year-old girl is babysitting a toddler. During lunch, the toddler chokes on a hot dog. The babysitter becomes frantic and calls her mother for further instructions. Vital moments are lost in caring for the toddler.

This doesn't have to happen.
 The Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross hosts a babysitter’s training course every few weeks. The course costs $40 per person and each participant should bring a sack lunch.


Studies show that trained babysitters are more prepared to prevent emergencies through proper safety planning and to handle such incidents when they happen.

You've seen it happen. Teenagers jump into the business of looking after neighborhood kids -- often without adequate training. The ones who are trained are more confident, receive more referrals and react better in emergencies. 

This training course gives 11-to-15 year olds the skills and confidence to safely and responsibly care for children and infants.


Through hands-on activities, interactive video and lively discussions, the course teaches young people to:
 
   

1. Care for children and infants.
   

2. Be good leaders and role models.
   

3. Make good decisions and solve problems.
   

4. Keep children and themselves safe.
   

5. Handle emergencies such as injuries, illnesses and household accidents.

Students receive materials that are useful during the course and on the job, including a Babysitter’s Handbook packed with more than 30 first aid action plans, information and full-color skill sheets; a compact emergency reference guide; and an interactive CD-ROM featuring an activity booklet with games, songs, recipes and other activities, an electronic babysitting client organizer, a training bag and a first aid kit.


If you or someone you know wants to become a Red Cross-trained babysitter, call 217-428-7758, or stop by at 2674 N. Main St. Decatur, IL 62526.
 



The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, but is a not-for-profit human services organization, whose sole support is the generosity of the American people. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. 


The Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross serves DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, and Shelby counties.