Babysitter Course to Kick Off in August

Babysitting is a tough job, but students of Babysitter Safety Boot Camp will be ready for any childcare situation.

The four-day course, running from August 6-9, offers extensive childcare training.

"They're going to get the information a lot slower and in their own time," said instructor Cindy Crayton of the newly extended course time.

Participants will learn the essentials like first aid, diapering, feeding, fire safety and will study helpful subjects like child development and basic marketing for their babysitting business, Crayton said.

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In addition, the course will be highly interactive. The students will put together their own babysitter safety bags, which will include age-appropriate and inexpensive activities like colored paper and stickers.

"There are certain things you should know," Crayton said of the course's useful information. She added that some parents send their pre-teens to the course so they are also prepared to safely stay at home alone.

The course also includes visits to local daycare centers, the 911 dispatch center and a tutorial from local first responders.

"It's stuff they're going to use for a long time," she said.

The class, which is geared for 11- to 14-year-olds (although older teenagers also attend), will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The deadline to register is July 27, and the course costs $165. 

Call 860-875-3342 or email director@CPROheart.com for more information. Registration is also available on the CPR O Heart website.