A person, often a teenager, who provides temporary, occasional child care services.

The term babysitter is usually used to describe someone who provides occasional child care for a few hours at a time. Most families provide the babysitter with general guidelines about bedtime, acceptable activities during the parents' absence, and instructions on who to contact in the event of an emergency. Young people who are interested in providing babysitting services often take advantage of resources available through the public library, community service department, school, or the American Red Cross to learn the basics of babysitting. Books and videotapes are also available, and outline techniques and strategies for safe and successful babysitting.

The American Red Cross provides a certification course for babysitters. Young people over age 11 are eligible to enroll in the eight-hour training course, offered at a variety of community organizations and schools. Some organizations underwrite the cost...