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classes
I've heard that some babysitters take classes at local hospitals or community centers. What do they teach you? Are they worth it? Does it matter where you go to take them?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Babysitting?
yes.those classes help tremendously.I took one last summer through a local hospital, and I learned alot of valuable skills. it was beyond first aid and telling kids to stay away from matches.They taught us everything from diaper changing to CPR on babies; tricks and games to get kids to cooperate,etc.Also,went into alot of detail and specifics; what to do and not to do. And at the end,we got an official badge that said we were trained babysitters. Parents really like that you take these courses,because it shows you are prepared to handle anything and everything babysittng will throw your way(expect the unexpected)
good luck
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These are VERY helpful. Being able to tell people you have taken a class, or that you are certified in First Aid, helps you get LOTS more jobs. The YMCA is a good place to take them, so is any hospital that might offer them.
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YES, take any class on babysitting and childcare you can. The reasons are multiple: different perspectives on childcare help you approach different kids as individuals and may give you insight into human behaviour in general; first-aid and other safety skills can never be reviewed too often; "common sense" ISN'T that common, and it's a huge help to have other people help you think your way out of situations you might not have imagined yourself: when you are babysitting, it's the little ones who get surprises, you are the stand-in grownup and it's your responsibility NOT to be surprised by actual or potential difficulties.
Best of all, childcare and babysitting classes expose you to how many different "right" ways there are to treat children and their parents. If you decide to have children yourself you will be a better parent for having been exposed to several models of "right" childcare.
Having certificates which show you to be a person with interest, commitment, and an enquiring mind are excellent things for your CV or portfolio.
Things I have learned from babysitting classes include: how to recognise when a child needs to rest BEFORE he/she has a screaming meltdown from overtiredness; how to structure a bedtime routine; how to deflect the interest of small children in destructive things into safer play; how to manage being angry yourself; how to help children manage their own temper tantrums; how to find out from parents what they want and how to report to them when they come home --- and of course, first aid and infant + child CPR.
Go for it!!
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It would really depend what the course offers, and how much it costs. CPR and other medical procedures are important to know, whether you'd use them as a babysitter or lifeguard. If it's just a course that will tell you not to let babies play with scissors, then forget about it. Personally I don't babysit too often and I think the risk factor of such things happening is low, so I wouldn't take them. If you are looking to get people to hire you, that may be an option to help you gain their trust.
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Its worth it, believe me. Most classes are only 10-15 dollars, and you learn lots of first aid things that you will not know, I gaurentee you. If they certify you in CPR it might be slightly more expensive, but its an awesome skill that helped you EVERYWHERE, not just babysitting.
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Being certified in CPR is a relatively painless procedure that can be very helpful should you ever need it, regardless of whether or not it pertains to babysitting. I've been certified at various times in my life and I reccomend it to everyone.
Ultimately taking courses such as these will make you seem more responsible to parents, which is always a good thing. You're no longer just some punk kid looking to make some spare cash by lounging around someone else's house for the night, but a responsible person who has taken the necessary time to become properly acquainted with skills that might be necessary. Even if the classes aren't the best (and I do suggest trying to find good ones) it will help with marketing your skills and putting parents at ease.
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They're definitely worth it, but it also matters on where you take them. Some only deal with common sense matters, others will help you with first aid and fun things to do with the kids. The more education you have, the better you will be at dealing with the unexpected, the more confident you will be at your job, and the more you can just relax and have fun.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Check the credentials and experience of the person running the course, and get feedback from people who have taken it. Go with your gut feeling; you might find that you will learn more by taking a first aid course from the Red Cross and a crafts course from the community centre.
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Basic first aid is a Good Thing <TM> to know. Go for it. Accidents happen, and if you know first aid, you'll be prepared.
Besides, if you're certified for first aid, you might be able to charge more or get more clients who don't want anything bad to happen to their precious children.
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I, too, have heard this. They're not really that cool, they just teach you the common sense stuff: don't let the kids play with matches, etc. Some of them give you a little pack that comes with first aid stuff and ideas for games to play with kids. But mostly babysitting is just common sense, so I wouldn't suggest it unless the kids you watch are constantly getting hurt because of your carelessness.
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