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.
Safe Sitter® teaches adolescent babysitters how to handle crises, how to keep their charges secure, and how to nurture and guide a young child. In short, Safe Sitter® babysitters help children stay safe and sound while their parents are away. In the process, these 11-to 13-year-olds emerge as more confident, responsible and compassionate teens and adults. Their instructors thrive on making a difference in the lives of these adolescents and the children in their care. And their sponsoring Safe Sitter® site enjoys the benefits of developing a positive relationship with its community's youth and families.
Columbus Community Hospital is Proud to be s Safe Sitter training center and we are proud to offer this program twice a year. Our course is a two day course that runs from 8:00 AM to 3:30 both days.
Cost: $50.00, advance non-refundable payment or $100.00 the day of class. Advance registration is the prefered method of enrollment.
Upcoming Programs: We Offer Safe Sitter Classes in April, July, August and December of each year. Please contact Chris DeLapp for specific dates and times.
To Register Contact: Chris DeLapp, Education Coordinator at 920-623-1276
