BY KARISSA MILLER

Iredell-Statesville Schools Career Technical Education program is helping address the childcare crisis through its babysitting camp, which aims to train middle and high school students to become well-rounded, CPR-certified babysitters.

Stephanie Borsilli, a rising seventh-grader, and Keira Clark, a rising ninth-grader, were two of 30-plus students who spent last week learning childcare basics at the camp.

“I babysit and I love kids,” Borsilli said. “I think all of the teachers are really nice. It has helped me stay calm in case an emergency happens.”

Clark, who is also an experienced babysitter, said the camp offered a good way to refresh on her CPR and the Heimlich skills.

Tammy Young, a family consumer science and child development teacher at South Iredell High School, was one of the CPR instructors at the camp. She also covered other important topics and offered advice on what to do in different types of emergencies.

During the afternoon session, students learned how to dress an open wound, treat muscle injuries and the different types of burns.

Young reviewed the acronym RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, to explain common first-aid treatment for minor soft tissue injuries like a sprained ankle.

Participants were engaged and eager to learn.

“The group practiced CPR this morning and each student can become certified by the end of the week. They have asked very good questions about babysitting. We’ve talked about dealing with parents, how to advocate for themselves and what they are worth, in terms, of pay and how to present yourself as old enough (to babysit),” Young said. 

Students also had the opportunity to change a diaper and interact with an infant simulator doll, which mirrors the needs of a real baby.

Camp instructor and teacher Sarah Evans said that students can practice the Heimlich on the dolls, which spit out something stuck in their throat.

The camp helps produce well-rounded babysitters, Evans said.

“They have made business cards and resumes, learned crafts and games to play with kids, learned about the proper CPR technique and heard from a guest speaker about what it’s like to work in a daycare,” she said. “We want these students to think beyond just babysitting. We want them to think about possibly dog sitting, tutoring, coaching and more.”

Photos