12 Website Best Practices For Your Safe Sitter® Classes

Students want to take your class and parents want an easy registration process. The best way to do this is to create a dedicated landing page for your Safe Sitter® classes. When creating this page, we recommend following these best practices:

1. Make the navigation easy. When a parent finds your website through safesitter.org, finding your class shouldn’t require an online investigator. Ask someone outside your organization if they can easily find information about Safe Sitter® on your website. If they cannot, consider adding the page to your main navigation.
2. Include your Registered Safe Sitter® Teaching Site logo and hyperlink the image to redirect to safesitter.org. The logo indicates to students and parents that your organization and Instructors have met the requirements established by Safe Sitter, Inc. and lends credibility to your program. Logo files can be downloaded by visiting the Instructor Resources section of safesitter.org.
3. Utilize the following class description at the top of the landing page:
   For Safe Sitter® Classes:
   Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice choking rescue and CPR! [OMIT CPR IF NOT OFFERING]
   For Safe@Home Classes:
   Safe@Home by Safe Sitter® is a program designed for students in grades 4-6 to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone.
4. Help parents understand what their child will learn by listing the class content next:
   For Safe Sitter® Classes:
   Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.
   Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.
   First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. [OMIT CPR IF NOT OFFERING]
   Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role play.
   For Safe@Home Classes:
   Students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students are also introduced to the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart and learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.
5. List all class dates scheduled and include start and end times. Parents and students have busy schedules and plan activities in advance. Giving them a list of dates to choose from helps them immediately register for the class that best works with their schedule.
6. Include class fees and cancellation policy. Sometimes a parent needs to withdraw their student from your class prior to the class date. Having a clear cancellation policy listed with your registration will help avoid any conflict regarding the cancellation.
7. Ensure information is included regarding class location within your facility. Many hospitals, schools, and other large facilities have multiple entrances and it can be confusing for students and parents to find your class. Print Directional Signs to use on the day of class to make finding your class even easier!
8. Include information that is specific to your class. Parents need to know if lunch is provided or if students should bring a sack lunch in advance of class. Other information such as students should bring a jacket or sweater as the room may be cool is also very helpful to parents and students.
9. Give clear registration instructions. If you are using an online registration platform, utilize a “Register Now” call-to-action button that links a parent directly to the registration page. If you are utilizing phone, email, or mail registration, make sure you have links to the Safe Sitter® registration form (also available in Spanish) with clear directions on where to submit payment and completed forms.
10. List a contact person for questions or additional information. Parents might have questions or want to alert you to any special needs their child may have. List a phone number and email address so that parents can easily access you.
11. Utilize Safe Sitter® images on your website. The Instructor Resources section includes class description images, promotional images, and website banner images all available to you at no cost! Use these images to create brand awareness and promote your classes.
12. Promote special classes for groups. Groups such as Girl Scout Troops often want a private class for their group. Include text such as, “Have a group of students to train? Call us to schedule a class!” This will communicate to group leaders that you are willing to add additional classes and will accommodate group requests.