Success StoryBabysitting Clinic



Babysitting Clinic

Author: Christy Stearns

Planning Unit: Clinton County CES

Major Program: Economic Development and Workforce Preparation - FCS

Plan of Work: Strengthening Families & Enhancing Lifestyle Choices

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Due to increased work responsibilities for parents, older siblings are often left to care for young children or they are being cared for by adolescent babysitters. Results of a local Family Resource Youth Services Center survey indicated that parents needed trained babysitters who are better qualified to care for their young children. A two-day babysitting clinic was implemented for middle and high school students to address this need. Topics presented included infant care and hands-on practice stations on how to swaddle, hold, dress, feed, burp, and diaper. Other topics included child development, appropriate games and toys, guidance strategies, safety and emergency preparedness, poison control, and handling difficult situations. The Public Library Children’s Librarian also shared tips and demonstrations on how to engage children through reading books. Participants were able to make their own babysitter bag of activities along with first aid kits. Hands-on practice also included handwashing and making age-appropriate snacks. Business aspects included marketing, communication plans, setting rates, and practice interviews. Five youth completed both days of the clinic. Pre/post-test evaluation results showed a 60% increase in knowledge gained during the clinic. Participants noted the most important skill or knowledge learned included how to hold and set/lay an infant down, how to burp and swaddle, caring for an infant who is sick and how to address choking. Many noted more confidence in business aspects such as setting rates and communicating with parents. Following the clinic, two youth (under their parents’ guidance) actively advertised their updated business services on Facebook and were able to secure 5 or 6 new jobs in the near future. Summer activities prevented many registered youth from completing so plans are under way to offer after school clinics throughout the school year in collaboration with the Family Resource Youth Services Center. 






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