How Community Organizations Can Invest in Youth

A group of diverse children playing together in a park on a sunny day. Some are jumping, others are laughing, and one child is holding a colorful parachute. They are dressed in casual summer clothing, and the park features green grass, trees, and a cityscape in the background.

You provide community programs for preteens and teens daily. Many young people in your community stay home alone for short periods, watch younger siblings while their parents run errands, or babysit children in the neighborhood. Have you considered whether they are ready for these responsibilities?

Safe Sitter, Inc., a national nonprofit organization, offers courses for students in grades 4-8. Because this age group often lacks access to quality programs, Safe Sitter® fills a critical need. Students who complete Safe Sitter® programs learn how to handle emergencies at home, school, or in the community. In addition, these courses are updated, interactive, and developmentally appropriate.

Safe@Home

Safe@Home is a 90-minute program for students in grades 4-6. It teaches students to practice safe habits and prevent unsafe situations. Students also learn what to do during dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. The program introduces the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart, which teaches students to assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.

If you enjoy teaching preteens, you can lead the Safe@Home program without completing Safe Sitter® Instructor Certification. The program includes a Facilitator’s Guide, which provides a clear script and planned questions to encourage engaging discussions.

Safe@Home

Taught by : Adult Facilitator, Safe Sitter® Instructor

Duration : 90 minutes

Participant Age : Grades 4-6

More Detail

Safe Sitter® Babysitting Course

Safe Sitter® Essentials prepares students in grades 6-8 to watch siblings or babysit. Each class focuses on key skills:

Safety Skills: Students learn to prevent unsafe situations and handle dangers like power failures or emergencies.
Child Care Skills: They gain tips to manage behavior, stay in control, and care for children. Students also practice diapering and learn about child development.
First Aid & Rescue Skills: Students often enjoy learning choking rescue and CPR the most. They also learn to assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. (The optional CPR module may be added after First Aid & Rescue Skills or at the end of the course.)
Life & Business Skills: Students practice screening jobs, discussing fees, and greeting employers through role plays. These skills prepare them for success.

Safe Sitter® Babysitting Course

Taught by : Safe Sitter® Instructor

Duration : 10+ hrs of curriculum (4 hrs required)

Participant Age : Grades 6-8

More Detail

Qualified individuals must complete Instructor Certification to teach the Safe Sitter® Babysitting Course. Registering as a Safe Sitter® Provider is easy and affordable. There is no registration fee; instead, purchase course materials and register for Instructor Certification.

As a Safe Sitter® Provider, you control your class schedule, fees, and student registrations. Students in each class have required class materials that are ordered through Safe Sitter® National Headquarters.

In conclusion, by partnering with Safe Sitter® to offer community programs to preteen and teens, you invest in your community’s youth while furthering your mission. Students gain the knowledge to stay safe, and parents gain peace of mind knowing their children are prepared. Apply now to get started.

Summary

Many preteens and teens in your community are already staying home alone, watching siblings, or babysitting — Safe Sitter® helps community organizations prepare them for those responsibilities.
Safe Sitter® is a national nonprofit offering programs for grades 4–8 that are interactive, developmentally appropriate, and regularly updated.
Safe@Home is a 90-minute program for grades 4–6 covering home-alone safety, emergency response, and basic first aid — and can be facilitated by any qualified adult without Instructor Certification.
The Safe Sitter® Babysitting Course prepares grades 6–8 students to handle emergencies, provide first aid, manage behavior, and develop the life and business skills they need to babysit responsibly.
As a Safe Sitter® Provider, you control your class schedule, fees, and registrations — with no annual provider fee and no registration cost to get started.