The Red Cross Babysitting program offers basic first aid and caregiving skills for youth 11-15 years old. Participants learn how to provide care for children in a variety of ages groups and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The course also offers youth the skills to promote themselves as babysitters to prospective families.
Topics covered include:
- How to be responsible and demonstrate leadership
- Decision making and managing difficult behaviours
- Information on children’s developmental stages and specific strategies for each stage
- How to feed, diaper, dress and play with children and babies
- How to recognize and prevent unsafe situations, make safe choices and promote safe behaviours
- First aid skills
- The business of babysitting
Cost: $65
Ages: 11 years of age (or completion of Grade 5)
Winter/Spring Schedule:
- March Break – Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 9am-4pm at YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin (Register by March 6)
- PA Day – Friday, April 24, 2026, 9am-4pm at Belmont Library (Register by April 17)
- Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9am-4pm at YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin (Register by May 1)
- PA Day – Friday, May 29, 2026 from 10am-5pm at Straffordville Library (Register by May 22)
*Please call for late registrations. Please note: Programs will be available pending sufficient registration.
How to register
- ONLINE by clicking the REGISTER NOW button for the course you wish to register for.
- Call (519) 631-9800 or 1-800-461-0954 or visit us at one of our office locations during business hours