Coaldale Public Library promoting babysitting course

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Coaldale Public Library will be offering a St. John’s Ambulance Babysitting Course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 27, 2024.

“The purpose of the course is to offer kids the skills and tools they need to be confident and qualified as babysitters,” said Dothlyn McFarlane, Head Librarian at the Coaldale Public Library.

The course, MacFarlane says, will cost $70 per participant. When participants are finished, MacFarlane says, they will receive a certificate of completion showing their new skills in babysitting. Initially, MacFarlane says, their local community partner CLCLC organized and ran the course, but the library took over providing the course in 2022 and have been able to host the class four times since based on community interest.

“Each time we have held it, we always have a full group of 12 participants,” said MacFarlane. “It’s an important thing for members of the community to know so they can stay safe and either help out with their families or provide babysitting for the community. The course is a great way to learn new skills and help kids foster leadership roles in their communities.”

For more information about the course, contact Coaldale Public Library at 403-345-1340 or help@coaldalelibrary.ca.