In Florida and across the United States, parents with young children are seeking reliable and responsible babysitters. Although a home day care has special certification requirements and fees, a teenager or college student does not have to meet these same requirements by law to become a babysitter in Florida. If you are trying to find babysitting opportunities, there are some certifications and training opportunities that can help you become more marketable.
Take a babysitter’s training course through the Red Cross. The Red Cross offers this course specifically for young teens to help them learn skills such as keeping children safe, handling emergencies, and becoming a good role model.
Learn CPR for safety. Courses are available through the Red Cross or your local school or hospital. If you take the Red Cross course, you can become certified in CPR. This is a big relief to parents who are looking for a babysitter.
Get a Florida state criminal history background check. Parents will often ask for a child abuse background and/or criminal record check from their babysitter.
Read online information and forums (see Resources) about how to become a better babysitter. Look for websites that list fun and educational activities to do with children. You can use a search engine to look for children's games or crafts. Prepare thoroughly for your babysitting jobs.
Tip
Most parents prefer babysitters older than 13, although Florida has no set law regarding babysitters' ages.
Learning to swim is also a valuable skill to help you as you babysit young children.
