Media Contact: Lily McCormick
Regional Communications Manager
lily.mccormick@redcross.org | 385-584-7610
SALT LAKE CITY (May 10, 2025) — This National Babysitter’s Day, the American Red Cross of Utah is celebrating the invaluable role of babysitters by spotlighting its newly revitalized Babysitter’s Training course and an innovative, free Child Care app. Designed to build confidence, safety skills and caregiving expertise, these resources offer essential tools for the next generation of babysitters while honoring the impact these caregivers have on families nationwide.
The comprehensive Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course is tailored for youth ages 11–16, equipping them with the skills needed to provide safe and responsible care for children and infants. With a science-backed curriculum and hands-on learning methods, the course ensures young caregivers are prepared to handle real-world childcare scenarios and emergencies with competence and confidence.
“As summer approaches, parents are in search of trusted babysitters more than ever. We’re proud to support the next generation of babysitters with the tools and training they need to deliver high-quality care,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross. “By taking this course, participants gain the critical skills to keep children safe and to respond effectively in challenging situations, while also building their confidence as leaders.”
Modern Training for Today’s Babysitters
The revitalized Babysitter’s Training course introduces an updated curriculum with engaging, modern content to make learning effective and relevant for today’s youth. Key features of the course include:
Updated materials, images and videos that reflect relatable, real-world caregiving scenarios.
A robust curriculum covering childcare basics, positive behavior strategies, leadership skills, business-building tips, emergency preparedness, safety issues and basic first aid.
Interactive games, guided discussions and hands-on practice of essential childcare skills, such as holding, feeding and diapering.
Optional Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training and certification for advanced emergency care, valid for two years.
Instructor-led workshops proven to boost retention and provide a more engaging learning experience.
“Our goal is for every participant to leave this course as a ready and confident caregiver,” said Lafranca. “With less than a day of training, these future babysitters will gain lifelong skills to help them succeed both in their babysitting roles and beyond.”
Register for Babysitter’s Training courses at redcross.org/babysitting, and courses are also available through community centers, parks departments and youth organizations that partner with the Red Cross as training providers.
Enhance Your Skills with the Child Care App
The Red Cross Child Care mobile app is the perfect companion to the Babysitter’s Training course, offering valuable childcare information and serving as a convenient refresher to reinforce confidence after completing the course. This app features interactive quizzes, achievement tracking, and a child’s record tab to help babysitters organize important details about the children in their care. Download the app by searching “American Red Cross Child Care” in app stores, visiting redcross.org/apps or texting CHILDCARE to 90999.
Honoring National Babysitter’s Day
Founded in 2003, National Babysitter’s Day is observed annually on the Saturday before Mother’s Day to recognize the vital contributions of babysitters to families across the country.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
