4-H childcare education teaches life skills, home safety, and personal safety that are not available to all youth in middle schools and high schools. This program was implemented November 6th, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church in Maysville. Mason County 4-H conducted a 6-hour interactive workshop using the National 4-H Babysitter Clinic Curriculum.  We had 6 youth registered for the program, ages 12 to 18 years old. The participants learned about infant care then practiced using a “Real Care” baby throughout the day. They had to determine the needs of the infants when they began to cry and provided the needed care.

They matched ages and stages of development, identifying appropriate toys/games/activities that did not involves screen time.  The participants discussed home and medical emergencies then role played scenarios for various situations before making an age appropriate ice pack that can be used for minor scrapes.  Child nutrition and food safety included preparing a fruit and vegetable snack that makes eating healthy food fun. Teens learned the business aspects of babysitting.  They created a business card and created a resume as well as reviewing personal safety.   All of the participants score 80% or higher on the post-test to earn their certification. 

The Babysitting Certification created opportunities for youth to earn money and build their resume. Since the workshop, one teen has secured a regular paid employment at her church providing childcare. Others have the opportunity to be volunteers at the church where they will practice their skills and develop relationships with young children and their families. This program had a long-term impact on at least one participant. She approached me at her school while I was there for a different program and gave a verbal testimony stating "since I took your 4-H babysitting class the church has promoted me from part-time volunteer to part-time paid employee. I used to just volunteer at the nursery during church services but now I get paid thanks to your class. It has really helped me and my family out". This program has been offered and taught annually for approximately two years.