Our babysitting training program is designed to make you a responsible sitter and inform you about all the necessary training you will need in case a problem would arise on the job. Our program includes a handbook, certification and tips to help turn the average 11-16 year old into a great babysitter. With American Red Cross certification, parents can rest assured you are trained and are equipped with the safety knowledge to care for their children. Our training course can help you:

• Interview for a babysitting job
• Choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games
• Perform first aid
• Learn diapering and feeding techniques
• Handle bedtime issues
• Learn tips for having a safe babysitting experience
• And more!

It’s easy to sign up, just call the Gibson County Chapter of the American Red Cross at (812) 386-6300 and ask about this training program. You can also check out our calendar of events and look for the next class.

Resources for Babysitters

• Babysitters Report Record (PDF File)
• Emergency Numbers and Family Information (PDF File)
• Babysitter's Family Information Card (PDF File)
• Family Interview Form (PDF File)
• Parental Consent and Contact Form (PDF File)
• Résumé Template (MS Word File)
• Self-Assessment Tool (PDF File)
• Safety Inspection Checklist (PDF File)

Tips for Having a great Babysitting Experience

• Advertise your interest in babysitting by talking to adults who have young children at your school, youth group, community center or house of worship. Ask friends who already babysit to refer jobs when they are unable to babysit. You can create simple business cards to provide your contact information.
• Get to know the parents or guardians of the children you will babysit.
• Discuss each job with your parents or guardians before you say "yes."
• Take jobs you know you can handle.

Before Taking the Job Always

• Know how you’ll get to the job and back home safely.
• Know what hours you’ll be expected to babysit.
• Tell your parents or guardians:
  • Where you’ll be;
  • How to contact you;
  • When to expect you home.

Complete the Family Interview Form and a Family Interview Information Card.

While on the job NEVER

• Open the door to anyone before checking to see who it is.
• Open the door to strangers, including delivery people.
• Let anyone inside who is using alcohol or drugs, even if you know them.
• Tell a stranger on the phone that you are the babysitter.
• Stay anywhere you feel unsafe, smell smoke or hear a fire or smoke alarm.
• Go outside to check on something strange, such as an unusual noise.

When the parents or guardians get home, provide them with a Babysitter's Report Record.

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