Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

4-H Child Care/Babysitting

M. J. Welch
State 4-H Department

 

Project Description

According to the 2000 census, 305,950 Kentucky children are age 6 and under.  54% live with two parents who work.  20% live with a single parent who is in the workforce.  Among children who are ages 6-17, 45% live with two working parents and 19.8% live with a single working parent.  Working parents can’t always “be there” for their kids.  They must rely on others to assist with child care responsibilities.  The need for child care is high.  In a survey conducted in one county with 110 6th graders, over 50% of the 13 year old youth provide child care for a younger sibling, neighbor’s child or cousin; they indicated that they did not feel prepared. 

Research tells us that children need high quality care for optimal development.  When older youth learn the skills needed to provide high quality child care, they build personal assets for successful lives.  Research also shows that when young care givers possess a higher number of assets, they are less likely to engage in risk behaviors such as early sexual behaviors.  Through their child care experiences they gain insight into the challenges parenting brings.

By completing the 4-H babysitting project, youth learn to apply research-based first aid and CPR procedures, to put babies to sleep on their backs, to look for and avoid potential safety hazards, to clean up messes, to prepare nutritious foods, and to plan active play, quiet times and rest.  They also learn the basic entrepreneurial skills needed to earn an income using child care skills.

Impact

During 2007, 958 young people in 40 counties completed at least 6 hours of training in child care.  Participants reported increased knowledge in the areas of safe practices for babysitting, new games to play with kids, quick nutritious snacks. 

Follow up surveys revealed 4-Hers felt more comfortable in performing practices such as selecting age appropriate activities and diapering infants.  They reported that they felt better prepared to use babysitting as a means for generating income.  Of those in the training, 681 youth reported that they created workforce preparation materials or engaged in entrepreneurial experiences.  Six hundred, seventy-three youth reported using a safety practice which they did not use prior to the training.  Overall, the babysitting workshops help youth be better prepared to provide child care services.