This Benefit Helps Cover the Cost of a Babysitting Course for Your Adolescent
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of nationally recognized babysitting courses in the provinces that we serve.
“It’s one of my favourite benefits at Serenia Life,” said Lyndsey Ehgoetz, Marketing Manager and mom to both a pre-teen and young teen. “While it may not have the same monetary value as our $2,500 post-secondary scholarship or our Fundraiser and Volunteer benefits (up to $600 and $400 annually), this benefit serves a demographic that’s often overlooked: 11- to 15-year-olds. And I really appreciate that.”
This “favourite” is Serenia Life’s Babysitter’s Benefit, which provides a reimbursement of up to $50 when a teen or pre-teen completes a nationally recognized babysitting course in Canada.
For parents of young adolescents, a part-time job like babysitting can be a great way to keep the kids busy during the summer months. Not to mention, the course provides youth with the opportunity to learn life skills and earn some money once the course is complete.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of nationally recognized babysitting courses in the provinces that we serve.
Nationally recognized babysitting courses by province
The Canadian Red Cross Babysitting Course is the most widely recognized certification in Canada, with St. John Ambulance coming in close second. Both offer nationally accredited certificates, and are available across multiple provinces with a consistent curriculum. However, there are other quality options available depending on your location.
Browse the table below to find a babysitting course¹ in your province of residence. Note that the courses listed below are only a sample of what is available. Serenia Life reserves the right to approve the benefit on a case-by-case basis.
| Province | Course Name | Age | Course Focus | CostName |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALL | Canadian Red Cross Babysitting Course | 11+ | In-person or online; how to provide care to children in a variety of age groups; how to prevent and respond to emergencies | $55-85 |
| St. John Ambulance Babysitting Basics Training | 11-15 | In-person, virtual classroom, or online at your own pace; safety rules, emergency response, leadership skills | $65-75 | |
| Alberta | Child Safe Canada Babysitting Course | 10+ | In-person or online; safety, feeding and diapering skills, tantrums, crying, positive discipline, first aid, and how to calmly handle common emergencies | $90+ |
| British Columbia | ProSafe Babysitting Course | 11-16 | 8 hours of in-person training; managing difficult behaviours; giving appropriate care in an emergency; strategies for developmental stages | $85+ |
| Manitoba | BGC Winnipeg Babysitting Course | 12+ | Accident prevention, basic first aid procedures; how to deal with illnesses and other problems that may occur | Contact provider |
| South Winnipeg Family Information Centre Babysitter Training | 12-16 | 6.5 hours of in-person training; interactive activities to teach students how to care for babies and children responsibly. | $45 | |
| Commissionaires Babysitting Course | 11-15 | 8 hours of in-person training; how to provide care to younger children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. | Contact provider | |
| Ontario | SOS 4 Kids Babysitting Course | 11-15 | In-person or online; how to run a small babysitting business; how to supervise younger children in a safe and manner through structured training | $85-90 |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) Babysitter Training Course | Not specified | A volunteer instructor purchases a teaching kit via SSC; provides eight 2-hour teaching sessions | Contact provider |
What parents should know
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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- Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance certifications are nationally accredited courses, and may give teens a competitive edge when seeking babysitting opportunities.
- Community-based courses (like those offered by BGC Winnipeg, SWFIC, and Saskatchewan Safety Council) provide excellent training and issue certificates of completion, though recognition may be more local.
- SOS 4 Kids and ProSafe are official Canadian Red Cross training partners, meaning their courses deliver the same Red Cross curriculum and certification.
- Course formats vary – some are in-person only, while others offer real-time virtual classrooms or online courses that can be done at your own pace.
- Prices vary by provider and may include materials like kits, manuals, and completion certificates.
A new opportunity for your teen or pre-teen
Simply pair Serenia Life’s Babysitter’s Benefit with a recognized babysitting course, and your teen or pre-teen will be well on their way to a more responsible summer or school year – where they can learn new skills and earn some of their own money.
To claim your reimbursement
Fill out this short form and submit: (1) proof of course completion, and (2) receipt of payment for a reimbursement up to $50 per youth member.
Disclaimers
External links are for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement by Serenia Life Financial. Serenia Life bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
1Course availability, pricing, and formats may change. Please contact providers directly or visit their websites for the most current information before registering.
