The Kelowna & District Safety Council recently announced that it would start bringing the Canada Safety Council’s popular babysitter training course to Vernon residents, and response was so positive that the course filled up in less than a week. In order to meet demand, KDSC has added another Spring Break course in Vernon to the schedule.
The new course is set for Monday and Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and will be held at the People Place in Vernon. Open to boys and girls ages 10 and up, the course offers a full 10 hours of actual training. Many important topics will be discussed, such as the rights and responsibilities of the employer, the child, and the babysitter, and the developmental and behavioral characteristics of children of different ages. Basic child care, nutrition, injury prevention, emergencies, age-appropriate play, and basic first aid procedures will also be covered.
A special component of the course will prepare babysitters for handling the special needs of children who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled, speech impaired, and mentally challenged.
“Although the Canada Safety council recommends that children don’t start babysitting until they are 12 years old, the reality is that many 10 to 12-year-olds help care for their younger siblings, and this course will give them the skills and information necessary to be much safer and aware babysitters and helpers,” says Tania Meyer, executive director. “Many parents also register their children in this course as an alternative to Home Alone classes, as the curriculum covered in this babysitting course is much more in-depth than the Home Alone curriculum.”
The course is only $60 (no taxes), and includes a KDSC Babysitter’s Gear Bag, a student reference book, and a graduation certificate. This class is expected to sell out, so contact the Kelowna and District Safety Council toll-free at 1-888-580-7233 to register or for more information. Online registration is also available through the Babysitter Training page on KDSC’s website at www.kdsc.bc.ca .
KDSC is a non-profit organization and operates the Little Travellers’ Safety Village as well as a motorcycle and driver training facility.
