Webster County is rural with a history of limited childcare options. Currently there is one privately owned daycare in the county, two pre-school Head Start locations with very limited space and qualifications based, as well as a handful of in-home sitters whose availability is advertised by word of mouth. The Webster County FCS agent and Program Assistant planned and implemented the Babysitting Club program to help combat this issue within the county.

The program was advertised to children ages 12-18. The FCS agent worked with Deaconess EMS to provide CPR/ First Aid instructors for one day of the program and the students received their CPR/First Aid certification at the end of the day. The second day the FCS Agent and Program Assistant presented the 4-H Babysitting Curriculum to the participants. “Real life” baby dolls were provided by the Webster County High School FCS teacher, as well as clothes, diapers, bottles, and a choking presentation. The participants learned how to care for infants and young children, how and what to communicate with parents, how to advertise and price their babysitting business, plus more. 

13 participants went through the course and are available to babysit to offer parents and guardians in Webster County peace of mind over the summer and beyond.