Babysitting Classes & Child Care Courses

American Red Cross babysitting and child care courses are designed to fit into your busy schedule. With select classes available online, and others available in person at a wide range of locations and times, it's easier than ever to learn new skills, gain valuable insights and information – and get your babysitting business started the right way.

Babysitting Courses

• Online: Developed for those who need the flexibility to work at their own pace – and want the opportunity to learn in the comfort of their home – our online babysitting classes deliver the latest information in a convenient, simple-to-use way.
• In-Person: Our in-person Babysitters Training gives you access to best-in-class instructors who will share the latest information on child care, offer tips and can answer all of your questions so that you're ready to care for children safely and confidently. The course includes hands-on activities, videos and discussions to develop essential, real-life readiness babysitting skills.

What You'll Learn

Although every situation is unique, there are some universal babysitting skills and techniques that every babysitter should have. Our courses were designed with this principle in mind and can help you deliver the care that families need and expect. Below are a few of the topics our courses cover:

• Basic care for infants and children
• Basic first aid
• Child behavior management
• Age-appropriate activities
• Emergency response
• Feeding, diapering and picking up children

Babysitting and Child Care Courses

Designed for new babysitters and childcare professionals alike, our childcare training courses allow you to gain the skills necessary to confidently care for kids of all ages. The courses currently available include:

• Babysitting Basics Online: Created for those ages 11 and older, our online babysitting training course can help you learn how to provide confident care for infants and children, understand what to do in an emergency, choose age-appropriate activities, recognize and handle a range of behaviors, learn how to start your own babysitting business, and more. Upon completion, a certificate of completion will be issued.
• Babysitter's Training: This in-person course prepares youth ages 11-16 to safely and confidently care for children and infants. It includes hands-on activities, videos, and discussions to develop essential, real-life readiness babysitting skills. The course covers feeding, diapering, picking up and holding children, safety and emergency response.
• Advanced Child Care Online: Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to care for children and infants inside and outside of the home. The course delivers leadership training, child behavior and discipline training, as well as information on professionalism, safety, basic childcare 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.)

To complement your child care training, we also offer First Aid and CPR/AED certification courses. These courses can not only help build your skills – and your resume – but can allow you to safely help others in times of need. View all Red Cross Babysitting and Child Care online safety courses here.

First Aid, CPR & AED Training

Along with our industry-leading child care and babysitter courses, we also offer First Aid and CPR/AED certification courses. Available online and in person, these courses allow you to gain additional skills that can help save a life. Upon successful completion, you will earn a two-year certification and access to refresher materials – so you can keep your skills sharp between certifications.

Certification Made Simple. Fast. Easy. Digital.

The Red Cross makes babysitting training and certification fast, simple and easy. With our our digital certificates, you can access, print, share, and download your certificates anytime, anywhere. Each certificate includes a unique ID and QR code, meeting employment requirements and allowing employers to verify its validity. To access a valid certificate with student training information, visit https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/digital-certificate and enter the ID or scan the QR code.

Click here for instructions on accessing your certification online.

Download the Red Cross: Child Care App

The American Red Cross Child Care app equips caregivers with essential skills and knowledge to care for infants and children safely. It offers detailed information on topics like diapering, feeding and emergency first aid, interactive lessons, quizzes and child profiles to track vital information. This free app provides comprehensive child care insights to ensure children are safe, healthy and happy. Download it today!

Or text: "CHILDCARE" to 90999