Safe Sitter Class Overview
Prairie Ridge Health is proud to be a Safe Sitter® training center.
Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking and helpful information like what to do when there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR mannequins to practice CPR and choking rescue.
Cost: $50, advance non-refundable payment or $100.00 the day of class. Advance registration is the preferred method of enrollment.
Upcoming Dates
Our program is a one-day course that runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- December 28, 2024 – Class is FULL
- March 20, 2025
Safe Sitter Course Content
- Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.
- Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.
- First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.
- Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role plays.
Safe Sitter Program Options
- Safe Sitter® Essentials: 5½-hour curriculum (formerly known as Safe Sitter® 1-day)
- Safe Sitter® Essentials with CPR: 6½-hour curriculum (formerly known as Safe Sitter® 1-day with CPR)
- Safe Sitter® Expanded: 11-hour curriculum (formerly known as Safe Sitter® 2-day)
Safe Sitter Program History
Safe Sitter® was founded in 1980 by Indianapolis pediatrician, Dr. Patricia A. Keener, after a nurse’s 18-month-old choked to death while under the care of an adult sitter. In reflecting on her colleague’s loss, Dr. Keener recognized the vulnerability of young children when cared for by unprepared child care providers Dr. Keener taught the first Safe Sitter® class in an Indianapolis middle school. Since that first class of 18 students, over 350,000 young people have completed the course. Safe Sitter® is currently taught in all 50 states and England.
Safe Sitter® is a high-quality program that gives young adolescents the skills to be safe, nurturing babysitters. Parents/guardians are always impressed with the results. Instructors have fun teaching Safe Sitter®.
Safe Sitter® has attracted the attention of the media over the years. Dr. Keener has made numerous appearances on shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and the John Walsh Show. Safe Sitter® articles are routinely featured in an array of periodicals including The New York Times, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, and Sesame Street Magazine Parent’s Guide, as well as various medical journals. Safe Sitter® has been recognized for excellence by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
For questions or additional information about our next class, please email our Education Manager Chris DeLapp by email at cdelapp@prairieridge.health or by calling the number below.
