Almost every parent has a need for a babysitter either occasionally or on a regular basis. There is always a very high demand for and low supply of babysitters, especially for special occasions. Many child care providers began their careers as babysitters. While most babysitters are teenagers, many are adults who work in the children’s home or their own homes on a part-time or full-time basis.
Even though there are no licensing or training requirements for this job, the more skilled babysitters are, the more clients they have, and the more money they earn. Well-qualified babysitters know the importance of learning all they can about taking care of children. They must be ready to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency, handle a child with a sore throat, or treat a sprained finger. These skills are learned through classes at YMCAs or YWCAs, high schools, vocational schools, and community colleges, and through the American and Canadian Red Cross.
