How to Get a Permit For Babysitting

Babysitting can be the perfect job for teens in middle school, high school and even for college students. It is a job that has the potential to be very rewarding and a lot of fun. It also offers flexibility in work hours that many other jobs available to people of this age do not. In order to land the best (and highest paying) babysitting jobs, it can really help to be certified. Getting a permit to show you are certified as a babysitter gives parents of the children who will be cared for a measure of reassurance that goes beyond that of the general references that many babysitters have. Babysitting certification is granted to those who participate in training that covers topics such as basic child care and emergency care. Find out how to get your own babysitting certification permit and you'll have a distinct advantage over your uncertified competition.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sign up at the Red Cross. Call or visit your local chapter of the Red Cross. Inquire about their babysitting certification program. The course is designed for students between the ages of 11 and 15 and the training includes infant care and emergency training. Gaining certification through the Red Cross is especially attractive on a resume, as the Red Cross is associated with respectable, quality training for such things.

2. Check with your community education program coordinator. Most communities have a babysitting certification program available through their community education program. For a small fee, participants will be trained and receive a permit upon completion. Classes are usually held at a local school building.

3. Inquire with the local university or community college in your area to find out if they offer extension classes that include babysitting certification. Many do and certification is granted at the completion of the training course.

4. Contact a respectable day care center or preschool center in your area. Because of the nature of their work, child care centers are full of people in the know about things like babysitter certification. If you are lucky, you just might find one that offers babysitting certification on site as a service to its employees. Check with the director to see if you might join a session as long as you pay your own way.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've earned your certification, don't be afraid to "brag" about it to potential employers. Your babysitting certification permit will make you favorite with area families in need of babysitting services.
• Consider offering employers a copy of your babysitting certification permit along with your resume when you apply for a babysitting job.