Havre Public Schools Community Education, Child Care Link and the Havre Fire Department are conducting a Smart Sitter baby-sitting clinic.
Research in the Havre community shows that parents leaving their youngsters in the care of students feel more comfortable knowing their children are left in the care of a baby sitter who has participated in training. Students also feel more comfortable with baby-sitting if they have participated in training.
Sponsors of Smart Sitter do not certify that all students attending are confident sitters but they maintain students participating in the training will be more knowledgeable about their responsibility of looking after children.
The training will cover issues like responsibilities of looking after children, communication with parents and the child, entertainment for children, handling of children, feeding of children and babies, diapering, illnesses, emergencies, first aid, and safety including car seats. Hands-on participation is included in all facets of the program.
Baby sitters are encouraged to contact parents if they feel uncomfortable concerning a situation and have the parent make the judgment, except in an emergency 911 situation.
Volunteer instructors for the class are Lori Evans and Marit Ita of Childcare Link, registered nurses Dana Seidel and Wanda Allison, prevention specialist Elissa Dahl, and the Havre Fire Department.
The cost of the class is $12. The class is for students in grade 4 through grade 8.
Parents who wish to have their children participate in this class need to contact the Havre Public Schools Community Education Office at 265-4356, ext. 331, by Friday to preregister. No registrations will be taken at the door. Class will be held March 15 from 3:45 to 6 p.m. and March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Havre Middle School.
