Stakes Raised for Sitters

OptiWell co-owner Don Ross runs down the dangers of choking hazards and prepares San Diego teens to react quickly in emergency situations while babysitting. OptiWell and the American Red Cross answer the demand from parents for proper CPR and emergency training by offering courses in pediatric CPR with an introduction to first aid basics. OptiWell's next courses run on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at the Encinitas Recreation Center. The American Red Cross Babysitter Training has upcoming classes scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20 in El Cajon and Sunday, Oct. 28 at their main office in Kearney Mesa.

OptiWell picked up the babysitting training thread from the American Red Cross, which offers a similar class but without the certification that OptiWell offers. The courses give San Diego teens a chance to get ahead in the babysitting business, by improving the presentation of sitters and making them more hirable. The courses familiarize participants—typically females between 11 and 15 years old—with first aid procedures and rescue breathing. The biggest benefit for those who complete the training is learning how to start a resume and interview with a family to make sure the job is the best fit for them. Red Cross instructor Ricardo Moran suggests that many of the girls in class would be able to take the adult-level CPR certification class if so desired.

Kate Evans of babysittingclass.com reveals that parents of young children are now offering to pay for their babysitters to enroll in training and safety courses to ensure their children are in good hands. Babysittingclass.com is based out of San Diego, but offers the freedom of an online class to anyone with Internet access. Owner Karen Willson created a curriculum that does not cover CPR or first aid, but instead focuses on age-appropriate activities and the business side of babysitting. The six-hour online course was developed from the advice of 200-plus working babysitters. –Christine Meade

10-8-07