A specially trained Milton firefighter will lead a course next month for those interested in learning how best to care for young children as part of a new partnership with Safe Sitter.

During the day-long Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR session on May 18, prospective babysitters will pick up valuable information and skills such as:

• Rescue and life-saving techniques, such as CPR, choking and basic first aid
• How to change a diaper
• What to do if there’s a power failure and/or weather emergencies
• Tips for preventing challenging behavior by some children
• Life and business skills, like ideas on setting up a babysitting business and negotiating your hourly rate

The lesson will begin that Saturday at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., with a lunch break in the middle. It’s not the type of class where you sit the whole time expected to absorb a lecture. Rather, participants will engage in various hands-on activities including games and puzzles.

It’ll be taught by Brandi Sadowski, a City of Milton firefighter who went through Safe Sitter’s training program to become an instructor. Sadowski isn’t just a Milton public servant, a firefighter, a medical professional, and all-around top-notch individual; she’s also a mother who knows more than a few things about caring for children.

Anyone age 10 and over can take part in this program for $75, which covers instruction-related costs. At the end, attendees should go home with a Safe Sitter certificate (that they can show off to prospective families thinking of hiring them) and, more importantly, a lot of useful knowledge.

To sign-up and pay, follow this link: https://miltonga.governmentwindow.com/estore/safesittercourse/course-registration.html or go to www.miltonga.gov/SafeSitter.

The course will take place at Fire Station 43 at 750 Hickory Flat Road. That’s fitting, since it’s being run through the Milton Fire-Rescue Department, and specifically Fire CARES – a mobile integrated program that offers health care services and information to people around Milton. (Go to www.miltonga.gov/FireCARES to learn more.) 

Safe Sitter is one of the two upcoming babysitting education offerings from the City of Milton. The Parks and Recreation Department is also partnering with a company called Babysitter Bootcamp on a program that should have a different format and likely launch sometimes later this year.