What to expect in a Babysitting Course

For many youths, babysitting is their first unofficial job. Whether they’re taking care of younger siblings or other kids they know, it’s a great way to gain work experience and take on more responsibility. Taking a Babysitting course teaches babysitters the basics and what to do in emergency situations. At Pacific First Aid, we offer a babysitting course that gives adolescents the tools they need to feel competent and comfortable when taking care of kids. With the babysitter course, you’ll be able to create a safety plan for children and react to emergency situations. Read more about what to expect in a babysitting course below.

To start, this course will ensure adolescents can:

• Can take care of babies, toddlers and preschoolers

• Create a safe environment and take unexpected phone calls or visitors

• Act efficiently and confidently in the event of an emergency, such as choking, bleeding, burns or poisoning

• Manage their babysitting business and learn about their rights as babysitters

• Learn about different types of games and how to have fun with kids

How to be a great babysitter

Whether it’s your first time babysitting or you have years of experience under your belt, here are some tips on how to be the best babysitter you can be:

1) Know your comfort level

Before you agree to babysit for a family, make sure you know your limitations. Ask the parents for specific and careful instructions. This helps set both yours and their expectations. It always helps to ask the parents how many children you’ll be watching and their ages as well so there are no surprises.

2) Have open communication

When you’re babysitting, don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out. If you have questions, make sure to ask the parents and keep the line of communication open. Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it helps build trust with the parents.

3) Reinforce limits and rules

Naturally, kids will test and push the limits. Make sure to stay firm and don’t let them persuade you into letting them do something they’re not supposed to (such as staying up past their bedtime, unless specifically told).

4) Be gentle and empathetic

A good babysitter is caring and understanding towards the children they’re watching, even when they have to enforce rules. Kids can be both hard-headed and fragile at the same time so it’s important to stay kind, especially during harder moments. If a child makes a mistake or breaks the rules, lend a sympathetic ear when they’re upset. This will also show them they can trust you as a confidante, babysitter and friend.

5) Stay open to criticism

Mistakes can happen so if a parent comes to you with a concern, be open to criticism and take the feedback in a positive way. Ask how you can do better in the future and implement the new behaviour going forward.

With Pacific First Aid’s babysitting course, you’ll learn all the skills necessary to be a successful babysitter. Learning both technical and soft skills as a babysitter is essential for taking care of kids. From choking, fire and medical emergency situations, sprains and strains and much more, our Babysitting Course will make sure you’re always prepared. Learn more and register today!