Babysitting Training in Illinois

For generations, babysitting has been one way that teens and tweens not only earn money, but gain respect and learn responsibility. And although you may get along with kids in general, taking care of a child (or children) while their parents are away can be trickier and more nuanced than you'd expect. That's where our Illinois babysitting classes can help. Designed by experts in the industry, they can help you learn how to provide care, how to choose activities, how to handle emergencies, understand certain behaviors, and more. Check out the childcare training options available, and gain the skills you need to become a capable, confident babysitter.

Red Cross babysitting classes in Illinois are available to participants of all ages. For those who are 11 and older, we recommend starting with our Babysitting Basics class, which covers a wide range of topics, including basic childcare, what to do in an emergency, choosing age-appropriate activities, starting a babysitting business, and more. In our Babysitter's Training course, we'll take your skills to the next level with more in-depth information on caring for the children in your neighborhood. Some topics addressed include leadership skills, safety, child behavior, and first aid.

We offer three unique, informative babysitting classes in Illinois. Among them is our Advanced Child Care Training – which delivers the latest science-based information to babysitters of all ages. It's the perfect class for new parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends, as well as anyone who has completed our Babysitter's Training course and wants to deepen their skills and knowledge. Throughout the course, you'll learn valuable information on basics, like feeding and holding children, as well as safety, child behavior, discipline and more.

Note: This course is not intended as certification for state-licensed childcare providers and does not meet all state requirements for such certification.

After completing our babysitting classes in Illinois, your certification will be valid for two years. But rather than keeping a copy of your certificate to show to prospective employers, you can simply give them a link or QR code that they can use to access your credentials. It's fast, simple, and paperless. Find the class that's right for you, and start earning the certifications you need.

When it comes to hiring a babysitter, knowing what to look for can be difficult. One of the things that you can do is ask whether your candidates hold a current Illinois babysitting certification from the American Red Cross. That can help you get a sense of their training and commitment to being a responsible babysitter. In addition, you should ask for references (and contact them), watch the way he or she interacts with your children, talk about any duties the sitter might be responsible for, any special skills he or she may have, and any special needs that the sitter should be aware of.

In addition, it can be helpful to do a trial run – and have the sitter watch your child either for a short period of time (while you're running errands) or while you're in the home, but focusing on non-family projects. This way you can get a feel for how the sitter will work out. Of course, you should also trust your instincts. Sometimes babysitters are completely capable and qualified, but you're still uncomfortable. If that's the case, go with your gut, and keep looking until you find a sitter you trust implicitly.

American Red Cross programs, including all of our Illinois babysitting training classes, are based on the latest science, standards and regulations. Courses are developed by experts in the field and overseen by The American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council – panel of more than 50 nationally recognized experts drawn from a wide variety of scientific, medical, and academic disciplines. With their guidance, we're able to ensure that Red Cross practices and recommendations align with the latest evidence-based knowledge in science and medicine. This allows all of our babysitting course participants to become well informed and well prepared to deliver quality care.