Intro to Safe Babysitting is a 60-minute course meant for small groups, such as Girl Scout troops or youth groups, and is designed to be facilitated by a parent volunteer or group leader. In addition, Intro to Safe Babysitting is an introduction to child care and child development, providing excellent instruction on the responsibilities of caring for children, and it may help Girl Scout Cadette troops fulfill some requirements of the Babysitting Badge. However, Intro to Safe Babysitting does not include instruction on home alone safety, first aid & rescue skills, or business skills.

Students who complete Intro to Safe Babysitting and want to learn more can enroll to take a comprehensive Safe Sitter® course, such as Safe Sitter® Essentials, Safe Sitter® Essentials with CPR, or Safe Sitter® Expanded, with a Provider near them. To find Providers in your area, go to safesitter.org/find-a-class.

The Intro to Safe Babysitting program is intended for groups such as Girl Scout troops and youth groups. The course is designed to enable a group leader or parent volunteer to facilitate an introductory level program about safe babysitting techniques.

Parents can order single copies of Safe@Home and Intro to Safe Babysitting and lead their children through the curriculum. These programs prepare school-age children to be safe while home alone or babysitting younger siblings. Each program includes a student booklet and a Facilitator Guide that will help parents understand and reinforce the skills taught in the student booklet.

To order online, click here.

The Intro to Safe Babysitting booklet costs $15.00 Each order includes an electronic Completion Certificate, Facilitator Guide, and digital presentation.

To order online, click here.

No. To reproduce content in the Intro to Safe Babysitting program is a violation of copyright. A group can purchase additional individual student booklets and student materials. Students take home their booklets to reference in the future.

Training in choking rescue and CPR is available through American Heart Association Training Centers across the country.

There is no age that students are automatically ready to babysit. Babysitting is a big responsibility and all tweens and teens need maturity and confidence to take on that responsibility. They also need an interest in caring for children, as well as appropriate training. Finally, it is important that parents of a prospective babysitter agree that their child is ready to take on this responsibility, and be available to support them as needed.

Safe Sitter® suggests that beginning babysitters start with the preschool age (3-5 years old), and limit first jobs to three hours. It’s also helpful for beginning babysitters to start with employers that they know, such as neighbors or friends of the family.