Babysitting courses are a big hit with young people

Young people in the north of the county are signing up to babysitting courses thanks to Coningsby Children's Centre in Leominster. Eleven young people from the Minster College aged 13-15 have successfully completed a ten-week programme designed to provide all the basic skills and confidence needed to become a babysitter.

The course was put together by children's centre staff and contained a wide range of topics including basic child development, health and safety in the home, introduction to first aid and personal safety and assertiveness. Child protection was covered together with drugs and alcohol awareness, the rights and responsibilities of a babysitter and baby care. They also had fun learning how to make toys and games.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Ten weeks is a big commitment for young people to make, but they all did it and made new friends as well as developing their childcare skills.

"There is a great deal of regulation involved in childcare at the moment. Parents need to know their babies and children are safe in the hands of carers and this includes babysitters. The skills these young people have learned will not only help them become better babysitters and develop early parenting skills, but will help them develop their self confidence as well."

The young people were presented with certificates and personal alarms at a presentation evening which their parents and carers were invited to. The course has been so successful that further courses have begun in Wigmore and Kington, and there are plans to run another in Weobley after Easter.

Further details about how to get involved are available from Lorna Williamson on 01432 383340 or 07792 880 738.