Start SS Program

Why should I start a Safe Sitter® Program? What is Safe Sitter®? How is Safe Sitter® taught? What are the benefits of Safe Sitter®? Can I become a teaching site? How much does it cost to become a teaching site? What does it cost to teach Safe Sitter®? Where is Safe Sitter® taught? Can anyone be a Safe Sitter® Instructor? How do I get started?
Q	Why should I start a Safe Sitter® Program?
A	Make your community a safe place for children Teaching Safe Sitter® increases the number of adolescents who are trained to provide safe and nurturing child care. Babysitters are responsible for the lives of the children they are watching. It is vitally important that all babysitters know how to keep children safe and how to respond if a child chokes.
	Adolescents love it They are proud to be Safe Sitter® graduates. A completion card is given to students who pass the written and hands-on exam. Graduates receive four free newsletters and can participate in the Safe Sitter® of the Year recognition program.
	Adult Instructors love it It's fun to teach and it really does make a difference. Instructors become passionate about the need for Safe Sitter®.
	Turn-key operation We have everything you need to run a Safe Sitter® program. We even train your instructors. Our one-day Instructor Workshops are held all over the country, and now offer a video conference option to train your Instructors. Your instructors will be inspired and ready to teach!
	One fee provides lifetime support Once you become a Safe Sitter® site, there is no expiration date for our service. You can call our toll-free number or send an email at any time. Our experienced customer support staff is ready to help.
	Medically accurate Patricia A. Keener, M.D. the Founder and Medical Director of Safe Sitter®. She assures that all information is medically accurate. Updates are provided regularly.
	Flexible program options Modules can be configured in many different ways. A 6 1/2-hour essential curriculum is designed for busy schedules. There is also a 12 1/2-hour expanded curriculum designed for comprehensive coverage that now includes infant and child CPR.
	Scholarships Safe Sitter® is committed to being available and affordable. You can apply for scholarships to serve low-income populations.
	Strategic partnership opportunities Hospitals, corporations, community organizations, schools, churches, and others can collaborate to provide Safe Sitter® for your community.
	Babysitting exclusive Safe Sitter® is the only national, non-profit organization devoted exclusively to preparing young adolescents for the profound responsibilities of nurturing and protecting children. Since 1980, we have trained over 450,000 Safe Sitters in all 50 states and England.

Q	What is Safe Sitter®?
A	Safe Sitter® is a medically accurate babysitting preparation program designed for 11 to 13 year olds. The competency-based, interactive curriculum was written by a pediatrician and teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques.
	*Safe Sitter®, is committed to training Better sitters today...better parents tomorrow.*
	Safe Sitter, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 and currently has almost 900 active teaching sites and 5000 active Instructors.
Q	How is Safe Sitter® taught?
A	Safe Sitter® offers two course options - 6 1/2-hour essential curriculum designed for busy schedules, and a 12 1/2-hour expanded curriculum designed for comprehensive coverage. Teaching sites choose the program that fits the needs of their students and Instructors. Both of the "ready to teach" courses include babysitting as a business, babysitting ethics (such as when it's OK to cancel or refuse a babysitting job), how to care for a choking infant or child, personal safety, how to care for children (diapering, holding an infant, feeding, entertaining, etc.), injury prevention, basic first aid, preventing problem behavior, and behavior management. The 12 1/2-hour program also includes infant and child CPR, a toddler or preschool guest, and additional practice time. Teaching methodology includes hands-on manikin practice, small group interaction, role-playing, games, and discussion. To ensure high quality, a low ratio of students to Instructors is required - no more than 8 students for each Instructor. Both courses are taught in a modular format that lends itself to flexible scheduling. The 6 1/2-hour essential curriculum is typically taught as one 7-hour day (9:00-4:00). The 12 1/2-hour expanded curriculum is typically taught as two 7-hour days (9:00-3:30). Safe Sitter® is usually offered during school breaks or on Saturdays. The typical class size is 12 to 18 students. There is not a minimum number of students required to have a class, but most teaching sites would prefer at least a class of six students. Teaching sites are encouraged to have no more than 24 students in a class. Students must pass a written and practical exam proving mastery of key concepts

Q	What are the benefits of Safe Sitter®?
A	Benefits for Students
	Students are empowered - they learn rescue skills, basic first aid, nurturing and safe child care, and personal safety. Students gain confidence because the class is nurturing and learner-centered. Students learn important life skills such as introductory employment skills and safe habits. Students have fun!
	Benefits for your Organization and Community You will increase the number of young adolescents providing safe child care. You will increase the personal safety of teen sitters. Skills learned in class will help prepare graduates to be better parents in the future. You can take advantage of Safe Sitter's name recognition and national media attention. Safe Sitter® can serve as a marketing tool for young adolescents and their parents.
	Benefits for Instructors It's fun to teach - Safe Sitter® is interactive with games, role-plays, etc. The ratio of 6-8 students to one Instructor allows you to get to know the students. It's easy to teach - Safe Sitter® is a structured course with a comprehensive and easy-to-understand Instructor Manual. It's rewarding - Instructors become role models to students. The well-designed program and rapport with students leads to feelings of accomplishment. Instructors are trained by Safe Sitter® National Trainers who've had years of experience of teaching student classes. The founder of Safe Sitter® serves as the Medical Director and assures that the course is medically accurate.
Q	Can I become a teaching site?
A	Safe Sitter® is often taught at community-minded hospitals. Other teaching sites include youth-serving organizations, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, etc., schools, service clubs, churches/synagogues, fire departments, health departments, camps, etc.
	After completing a simple application process, sponsoring organizations send people to a one-day Instructor Workshop. Two or more people are preferred to assure a strong program for your organization
	Instructor Workshops are held in over 30 locations throughout the country each year.
Q	How much does it cost to become a teaching site?
A	A one-time fee of $375 gives you permission to teach Safe Sitter® and provides lifetime support. You are encouraged to use our toll-free number or email to contact our experienced support staff at any time. There is no annual fee. (Limited scholarship money is available for organizations with high ideals and small budgets.)
	Workshops are $50 per person for one to four Instructors, with the fifth person at the same workshop free.
	Each Instructor receives a comprehensive coil-bound Instructor Manual at the workshop. In addition to the "what and how" of teaching Safe Sitter®, the Instructor Manual includes information on recruiting students, organizing the classes, ordering supplies, etc.
	Safe Sitter's Web site is changed monthly with tips and updates for Instructors and students. There are also tips for parents.
	Safe Sitter® graduates receive four free bi-annual newsletters.
Q	What does it cost to teach Safe Sitter®?
A	Safe Sitter® is committed to being available and affordable.
	All students receive a Safe Sitter® Student Manual. Teaching sites order these from Safe Sitter® at a cost of $15 per Manual, which also includes a completion card.
	Other student materials available for purchase include a Safe Sitter® kit (messenger bag and supplies), T-shirts, pens, key chains, etc. These supplies are optional - the Student Manual is the only required item. (Safe Sitter® Products )
	Teaching sites establish and collect their own student fees. Teaching sites determine their class fee based on supplies ordered, Instructor costs, and income level of the community served. Because Safe Sitter® is viewed as a community service, sites are encouraged to keep student fees as low as possible.
	Scholarships are available for students based on financial need.
	Equipment needed to teach Safe Sitter® includes a CPR infant manikin and child manikin, sample of toys, bottles, diapers, dolls, and telephones. Game pieces and templates for registration forms etc. are provided by Safe Sitter®.
Q	Where is Safe Sitter® taught?
A	Safe Sitter® is taught by almost 900 organizations in all 50 states and England. (Safe Sitter® Locations)
A	If you would like to talk to someone who has organized and taught classes please call (800) 255-4089 x13, or email for a list of references.
Q	Can anyone be a Safe Sitter® Instructor?
A	The ideal candidate is someone who really enjoys working with young adolescents.
	Instructors must be at least 18 years old with at least a high school diploma or GED.
	Instructors must have at least two years of Safe Sitter® related paid or volunteer experience - training or work in nursing, medicine, respiratory therapy, emergency service's, health education, early childhood education, youth work, or child care experience (including parenting).
	It is best if all Instructors are current in CPR. There are specific CPR credentials required to teach or test choking rescue or CPR. (Instructor Qualifications)
	All Instructors must participate in an Instructor Workshop to ensure high quality and compliance with teaching methodologies. Instructor Workshops are taught by National Trainers who have been personally trained by the Safe Sitter® Founder and Medical Director, Patricia A. Keener, M.D. We now have a video conference training option.
	It's best to have a group of 3-4 Instructors trained. The student classes will be more fun and your program will continue even if there is Instructor turnover.
Q	How do I get started?
A	Call (800) 255-4089 x 12, or email us. We'll be happy to help you begin the process of becoming a Safe Sitter® teaching site.
Safe Sitter® is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization. Copyright © 2008 by Safe Sitter, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page was last updated 01/10/08