Ms. Pam Casserly This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Hunterdon Family from the Hunterdon County Democrat

   www.hunterdonfamily.com/html/p - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/27/2001   Last Visited: 5/20/2002

   "They're always worried that if something scary happens and they call the parents, they will get into trouble even if it isn't their fault," observes Pam Casserly, an instructor of CPR-certified babysitting courses for the Hunterdon Chapter of the Red Cross for the past five years.
   
   The Red Cross babysitting classes focus on emergency procedures, allowing parents to feel more comfortable about their child's safety and the sitters more confident on the job, she said.
   
   According to Ms. Casserly, the Red Cross revamped their babysitting classes to be more safety-oriented, a move away from the prior child development focus.
   
   Although age-appropriate play, feeding and dressing techniques are still taught, babysitters familiarize themselves with emergency procedures.
   
   "They learn what to do if a child is choking or if there's bleeding. They learn how to check if a child is unconscious and how to talk to emergency personnel to describe what's going on," Ms. Casserly said.
   
   Babysitter training covers first aid, CPR and the Red Cross procedure of Check/Call/Care: how to check an injured person, who to call and how to care for the person until help arrives.
   
   "I think it's good to take the course, especially if there is an emergency. The kids will have more of an idea what to do. They are more level-headed and comfortable if they go somewhere and something happens," she said.
   
   ...
   Ms. Casserly encourages sitters to create a babysitting kit containing age-appropriate toys and a notebook containing important information for each family, such as the home alarm system, pets and home quirks.
   
   "Go early and talk to the parents to get the lay of the land. Find out where the flashlight and light switches are, any allergies and rules about snacks and sweets," Ms. Casserly said.
   
   The Arc of Hunterdon County offers a babysitting course geared toward the care of children with special needs which also includes CPR and emergency procedures.
   ...
   Ms. Casserly said.
   
   She believes the safety training made her own daughter a very popular babysitter who can pick and choose her jobs. "She says if she gets less than $5 an hour, she doesn't go back," she said, laughing.
   
   ...
   "Depends on the maturity," said Ms. Casserly, who suggested younger sitters start off as a "mother's helper," a sitter who watches her charges while the parent is in the house. "Many 11-year-olds start off as a mother's helper. If the mother can see the child can handle the kids, she will leave them alone more," she said.
   
   Describing the Red Cross babysitting classes as "very popular," Ms. Casserly reported an average attendance of about 20 students per class."Most of the kids are in fifth and sixth grade," she said.
   
   While many parents find sitters in their neighborhoods through referral, the local Red Cross and schools can be sources, too.
   
   Ms. Casserly also teaches the babysitting course at Woodglen School in Lebanon Township through its PTA. She suggested parents call their local PTA or the Red Cross for names. "Sometimes the school will put babysitting information in a newsletter. In Lebanon Township, for a fee, you can put your name as a babysitter in the student directory."
   
   For parents with special needs children, The Arc maintains a roster of 20 to 25 babysitters. "You can call for a babysitting referral.