Safe Sitter Course Promotes Child Safety

It's a nagging question in most parents' lives -- when is it safe to leave my oldest child home in charge of siblings? Better yet, when are they considered old enough to take care of other people's children?

The Safe Sitter® program, designed by pediatrician Patricia Keener, MD, prepares preteens for all of the responsibilities required to care for younger children. This medically accurate program teaches students CPR, first aid, injury prevention, safety, childcare essentials, behavior management and online and social media safety. Students receive training on how to run their own babysitting businesses -- from setting fees to screening for potential jobs, and leaving important information with parents. They also learn introductory employment skills, such as handshaking, interviewing and appointment setting. Skills learned during Safe Sitter will help students build confidence during future job searches and help prepare them for future responsibilities as parents. In turn, graduation from the program helps ease the sitter's parents' minds about their child's readiness to care for other children.

The course is designed for boys and girls age 11 to 13 and costs $40 ($35 for children of Saint Francis employees). Price includes lunch and official Infant and Child CPR certification. The course will be offered July 2, July 17, July 28, August 4, November 27 and December 29 from 8 am to 3 pm. For more information or to enroll in the program, please call Training and Development at Saint Francis Medical Center at 573-331-5107.