Red Cross Babysitter’s Training
Because You Care . . . Prepare

NEWTON, NJ December 29, 2008 – Sussex County residents know this county is a great place to have and raise a family and parent’s know and understand the need for qualified baby sitters to help with their families. The Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross is determined to help. Babysitting and sitter training are as complex as life itself in the 21st century. Today’s parents want baby sitters to be responsible, caring, and above all competent. They want babysitters to be trained and knowledgeable about first aid procedures, basic childcare needs, safety, and have abundant common sense. According to Melissa Turner, Health & Safety Director, “What we are seeing today is an increase in professionalism from babysitters. Young babysitters are promoting their American Red Cross certification cards as the gold standard in baby sitting credentials. Parents are assured a well trained sitter when this certification card is presented.”

The Sussex Red Cross has scheduled a babysitter training class for Saturday January 24th at the chapter headquarters in downtown Newton. Class runs from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and includes a lunch break.  The cost is $65. For an additional $12, a portfolio style first aid/safety kit that easily fits the babysitter training book is available. This portfolio makes it easy for sitters to carry important information “on the job” providing an easy to find location for important phone numbers or notes that a responsible babysitter would want on hand. There is a limited supply of these, but they are excellent resources for babysitters to have and bring along with them while babysitting.  These can be purchased at the time of your registration or the day of the class.

The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 - 16 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. Participants learn by doing. This format, along with the course video and an enthusiastic instructor, keeps the interest of the babysitters and provides a meaningful classroom experience.  Complete the Babysitter’s Training course in just one day and be prepared to babysit the next!

Other upcoming training classes include:

On Tuesday, January 6th, a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. This course is intended to teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. The fee is $45.00. 

On Thursday, January 8th, a Dog First Aid training course from 5:00pm to 7:30pm.at the Newton Veterinary office.  Participants will learn what to do in the event their dog is ever injured or has a medical emergency; including breathing emergencies. The fee for this training is $40. 00

On Monday January 12 and Wednesday January 14th, an Adult CPR/AED & Infant and Child CPR course will be conducted from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. For the convenience of participants this extended class will be conducted over two nights - registrants must attend both nights to receive certification. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest as well as the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies. The cost of this class is $70.00.

On Thursday, January 15th, the chapter is hosting a Dog First Aid training course from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.at the Red Cross Chapter office.  Participants will learn what to do in the event their dog is ever injured or has a medical emergency; including breathing emergencies. The fee for this training is $40. 00

On January 24th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00 to 3:30. The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 – 15 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. The fee for this course is $65.00

On Tuesday, January 27th, an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies, perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The fee is $50.00.

Classes will be held at the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross located at 93 Spring Street, Suite 101, in Newton. Contact the Health and Safety Department at (973) 579-1600, or you can register and pay online at www.sussexredcross.org . Visit this site for directions and information on these and other upcoming Red Cross courses. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.