Who It’s For
Designed for youth ages 11 to 16 who want to prepare to safely and confidently care for children and infants.
American Red Cross Youth Readiness Program
Babysitter’s
Training
American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training helps youth build the confidence and practical skills needed to safely and responsibly care for children and infants.
Ages 11–16
Instructor-Led
Real-Life Readiness
Quick Course Facts
What to know before registering for American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the courses within the Babysitter’s Training program.
Course Length
Babysitter’s Training is approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes, excluding breaks.
Certification
Participants who successfully complete Babysitter’s Training receive a Red Cross certification valid for 10 years.
What This Program Helps Students Build
Designed to combine leadership, child care, safety awareness, and emergency readiness.
Leadership
Confidence & Responsibility
Students build a strong foundation in leadership, decision-making, responsibility, and professional babysitting behavior.
- Learn leadership styles helpful in babysitting
- Use a decision-making model for real scenarios
- Build confidence before taking babysitting jobs
Child Care Skills
Caring for Children & Infants
Students learn age-appropriate child care skills for infants, toddlers, and children, including feeding, diapering, routines, and behavior support.
- Practice holding, feeding, and diapering skills
- Learn bedtime and sleep safety basics
- Understand development and age-related behavior
Safety
Safety & Emergency Readiness
Students learn to identify hazards, plan for emergencies, and respond appropriately to common babysitting safety situations.
- Identify hazards in and around the home
- Understand fire, water, weather, and stranger safety
- Gain confidence recognizing and responding to emergencies
Upcoming Babysitter’s Training Classes
Register for an upcoming American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course.
Course Schedule
No upcoming classes are posted yet.
Check back soon or contact us about private training.
Course Details
What This Course Covers
The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training program is designed to prepare youth to safely and confidently care for children and infants through hands-on activities, videos, and discussion.
Main Focus
Leadership, child care, safety awareness, and babysitting readiness
Course Style
Instructor-led classroom learning with hands-on activities and practical discussion
Age Group
Designed for youth ages 11–16
Certificate
Babysitter’s Training certificate valid for 10 years
Why It Matters
Built for Real Babysitting Situations
This course helps future babysitters build confidence before they ever take a job. It teaches how to care for children safely, handle everyday routines, communicate professionally with families, and respond calmly when problems arise.
Best For
Youth who want to start babysitting or strengthen their babysitting confidence and skills
Practical Skills
Feeding, diapering, safety checks, behavior support, routines, and emergency awareness
Expanded Option
A Babysitter’s Training with Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED pathway is also available as an extended option
What You’ll Learn
Major topics covered in American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training.
Leadership & Business Basics
- Discuss leadership and responsibility
- Use a decision-making model for babysitting situations
- Build professional work habits
- Learn how to market babysitting services and interview with families
Safety & Home Awareness
- Identify hazards in and around the home
- Understand internet, social media, and stranger safety
- Review emergency plans and weather safety
- Prevent and respond to fire and water emergencies
Child Care Skills
- Understand stages, ages, and milestones
- Pick up and hold an infant and toddler safely
- Bottle-feed, spoon-feed, and diaper infants or toddlers
- Understand bedtime routines and sleep safety
Play, Behavior & Emergencies
- Choose age-appropriate toys and activities
- Encourage positive behavior and respond to misbehavior
- Recognize emergencies and gain confidence to act
- Learn CHECK—CALL—CARE, choking care, glove removal, and bleeding control awareness
Common Questions
Quick answers for students and families considering American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training.
Who is this course designed for?
This program is designed for youth ages 11 to 16 who want to
prepare to babysit safely and confidently.
Are there any prerequisites?
No. There are no prerequisites for the Babysitter’s Training program.
How long is the course?
Standard Babysitter’s Training is approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes,
excluding breaks.
How long is the certificate valid?
The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training certification is valid for 10 years.