Whether it’s giving mom and dad a break with younger siblings or helping a neighbor, for many teens and young adults, babysitting is the first introduction into the working world. Although many of the responsibilities of babysitting comes down to common sense, there are several ways in which a parent or employer can ensure that the transaction is safe, secure and a joyful experience for all concerned – especially when it comes to CPR training.
Babysitter CPR Training
With young children, safety is always the first priority and it is up to the parents to perform due diligence when hiring a sitter. We are not, of course, suggesting you obtain an FBI style profile, however it is worth asking around the neighborhood to get a sense of the sitter’s reputation for being mature and responsible. For complete peace of mind, it is always best to hire a sitter who has completed babysitter classes or a child care training program, showing they take their babysitting commitment seriously. However, if you are set on a sitter that hasn’t taken the class, you can encourage them to enroll in one of the fun and informative classes offered. These classes cover child safety and basic care techniques for infants and children, targeting adolescents aged between 11 and 15. Babysitter classes, which are available in many Forth Worth venues, teach teens and young adults several skills—such as babysitter CPR training. There can never be too much emphasis placed on the importance of first aid or CPR courses; studies show that a small child can choke to death within three minutes – leaving nowhere near enough time for a paramedic or ambulance to reach the scene. Babysitter courses will teach sitters essential first aid techniques such as the Heimlich Maneuver, besides breathing and chest compression techniques which may mean the difference between life and death for your child.
Babysitting Classes Teach Life Skills
As well as this essential, life-saving training, babysitter training will teach the sitter that babysitting is a business transaction which they must conduct in a professional and unemotional way. During training, the sitter is taught both life and business skills, including the negotiation of rates, the justification of increased and sliding rates and the skill of using basic accounting to keep track of hours worked and payments. Babysitter training gives parents peace of mind that their child is in capable hands and arms the sitter with valuable skills for later life. Babysitter preparation will also give the sitter a certificate to include with his or her resume.
Not Just CPR Training
After hiring the sitter, it is good practice to them to stop by and orient themselves prior to the first assignment to help your child dispel any anxieties. This will also give you an opportunity to show the sitter the layout of the house and ensure that they know where to find everything they need as well as pointing out any quirks (for example, using the downstairs bathroom once the children are in bed to avoid waking them). Make sure that you allow at least fifteen minutes between the sitter arriving and your leaving on each occasion to help your child transition and to allow you to relay any requests or pertinent information. Feel free to ask your sitter to recite aspects of their babysitter training to ensure they forgot nothing. Your sitter will need to know any medical and health conditions that your child has and how to deal with these. With some minor ailments, you can show your sitter how to help your child administer medication, but of paramount importance the sitter also knows how to contact the emergency services if necessary. You should also ensure that your sitter has not just your cell phone number but also details of where you will be, particularly if you will be traveling outside of Fort Worth, in addition to how you can be reached and what time you expect to arrive home.
Summary
Although you may be on friendly terms with your sitter (often it will be a friend or neighbor’s son or daughter), it is important for both parties to remember that this is a business transaction and that, like any job, there are rules which must be adhered to maintain a successful working relationship.