Registration is now open for the Babysitting Basics course offered by Greene County Extension & Outreach.
The five-week series for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls will run Mondays, March 3-31, from 4 to 5:30 pm. The exception is the first class, which will last until 6 pm. The classes will be held at the Extension office in Jefferson.
Participants in the class will learn the responsibilities of a babysitter, what parents expect, ideas on how to entertain children, how to handle emergencies, first aid and safety pointers, characteristics of young children, as well as how to care for children of different ages.
Guest speakers at each meeting will provide hands-on opportunities to practice the skills being taught. The lineup includes nurses and public safety officials, as well as parents who will bring in their own infants and toddlers to discuss different care needs at each age. At the end of the series, participants receive a certificate of completion to use in promoting their new skillset to potential clients.
“The topics we cover over the five weeks will really help prepare future babysitters to be ready for whatever situations babysitting might throw their way,” said Sarah Jo Reynolds, county youth and families coordinator for Greene County Extension. “From providing enriching hands-on activities and information, a babysitter who has completed this course should always be at the top of the list for parents.”
To register for the course, contact the Greene County Extension office at 515-386-2138. Registration is due by Feb. 26 to avoid paying a late fee. Registration will remain open after Feb. 26as space allows, with an additional late fee for registering at the door. Class size is limited, so register early to ensure a spot.
For more information about Greene County Extension, including other youth and families programming, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/
