Babysitting certification classes offered by the Hardin County Extension Office allow youth to learn critical skills for success as they are caring for youth who may or may not be related to them. 

The classes are a partnership between the FRYSC centers at our local middle schools, the FCS and 4-H programs, and the NEP program in Hardin County. 

Youth learn skills in the area of food and nutrition, appropriate snacks and food safety, first aid and physical safety, appropriate games and activities, appropriate communication with parents and protocols, how to advertise and market themselves, how to set prices and save their money, and more. 

This year, more than 50 youth were certified. Follow ups with FRYSC coordinators report that youth are earning money caring for children, and are putting the skills they learned into place.