Red Cross Launches Online Only Child Care/Babysitting Course for Older Teens, College Students, Au Pairs and Nannies

Students Explore Virtual Neighborhood with Animated Families in Real-Life Scenarios

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Mar 18, 2015, 10:34 ET

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross today launched an online only version of its popular Advanced Child Care Training course, offering training on how to care for young children and handle emergency situations.

Advanced Child Care Training is designed for people 16 years and older who are or plan to become nannies, au pairs, sought-after babysitters or who are caring for children for the first time in a residential setting. The online course offers all elements of the existing instructor-led Advanced Child Care Training course but does not include certification in Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

The course uses simulation learning technology to engage students through an animated, computer-generated world filled with simulated scenarios and virtual neighborhoods to explore. Participants will learn the most common child care routines, activities for kids, and behavior along with safety inside and outside of the house.

The course is 4.5 hours and costs $49. Upon completion, course takers will receive a two-year certification in Advanced Child Care Training, and the option to add Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED for 10 percent off the original price. The training also offers access to a resource center with downloadable skill sheets on child care subjects, lesson summaries, fact sheets, templates for résumés and business cards, administrative forms and age-appropriate activity ideas.

For more information on signing up for the program, visit redcross.org/childcare.

"So many teens and college students look to child care as a first job or summer job and the Red Cross offers parents an easier way to spot the best sitters," said Grant Hansen, Director, First Aid/CPR/AED, Preparedness, Health and Safety Services, American Red Cross. "The new online only Advanced Child Care Training course enables students to learn what to do in both emergencies and typical child care situations anywhere, any time, and at their own pace."

Hansen's comments are buttressed by a 2012 Red Cross survey that found that nearly one-third of parents (30 percent) have rejected a potential babysitter due to safety concerns and that 70 percent of parents believe it is important for a potential sitter to have child care training. In fact, 8 in 10 surveyed parents (83 percent) said they would pay more for a trained babysitter who is certified by the Red Cross.

With the introduction of online only Advanced Child Care Training, the Red Cross now offers five courses to meet the needs of sitters and nannies aged 11 plus:

Course	Description	Includes Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED	Timing	Cost

Advanced Child Care Training*	Child development, routine child care and behavior, safety inside/outside the house, the business of child care in a residential setting	Yes	8 hours (2 hours online and 6 hours in-person skills training)	$129
Advanced Child Care Training Online*		No	4.5 hours online	$49

Babysitter's Training	Hands-on training in babysitting skills such as safety, basic first aid, diaper changing, child handling, feeding, behavior, games, business of babysitting, and more	No	6 hours in classroom	$85
Babysitter's Training + First Aid/CPR/AED		Yes	9.5 hours in classroom split over 2 days	$140

Babysitting Basics	Leadership skills, age-appropriate activities, basic child care, basic first aid and safety, guidance on developing a babysitting business.	No	4 hours online	$25

* Advanced Child Care Training is not a licensing program and does not meet all state requirements for child care centers or day care providers.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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SOURCE American Red Cross