Baystate Medical Center to Offer Babysitters Academy in February, April

SPRINGFIELD — Are you already a babysitter looking to further your skills, or considering becoming a babysitter to earn extra money? Baystate Medical Center will hold a Babysitters Academy on Friday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, April 21 to prepare area youth for their babysitting responsibilities.

Each one-day program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baystate Health Education Center, 361 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Participants should bring lunch.

Babysitters Academy is a certified babysitter program for young adults ages 11½ to 15. The session offers potential babysitters instruction in baby care, first aid, CPR, fire safety, home security, child behavior, and accident prevention. Participants will also receive a course booklet containing helpful tips and other information, as well as a graduation certificate upon completion of the course.

The program, offered by the Parent Education Department at Baystate Medical Center, costs $75. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required by calling Baystate Health Link at (413) 794-2229.