One-Year Anniversary of Babysitting Pilot Program Marks Early Success
Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: News
Alexia Arthurs
Associate Photo Editor
One year after the inception of the Babysitting Pilot Program at Hunter College, over 200 students have expressed their interest in participating. The program was launched last year to connect Hunter students interested in part time childcare job opportunities to families seeking babysitters on the Upper East Side.
"This is a great opportunity for students to become involved with the community in which they go to school," said Raquel Hochroth, a Hunter student, who works in the External Affairs Offices.
"It is particularly beneficial for those students interested in becoming teachers, or working with children in their future careers."
The program works by linking students with families who share complimentary needs in terms of availability. Students interested in the program fill out a form at www.hunter.cuny.edu/babysitting, that requests personal information to ensure that they are indeed registered at Hunter. Additional information an applicant would have to fill out on the application includes past experience in childcare, and special skills, or interests. Interested participants can also send an e-mail to babysitting@hunter.cuny.edu. Parents looking for a sitter are also required to complete a form detailing the availability and hours they are seeking.
"It is important to note that the way the program is set up is that the Office of External Affairs acts strictly as a clearinghouse between the parents and students," said Hochroth.
"We then provide the parents with the names of several students who match their needs, assuring they are matriculated Hunter students, and it is then up to the parents to contact the students for interviews and hiring."
"I chose to get involved because not only do I love children, but I am also a childhood education major," said Carolyn Syskowski, a junior, who has been using the program since last semester. Syskowski works for two families, one for steady weekly hours, and the other on an as-needed basis.
Associate Photo Editor
One year after the inception of the Babysitting Pilot Program at Hunter College, over 200 students have expressed their interest in participating. The program was launched last year to connect Hunter students interested in part time childcare job opportunities to families seeking babysitters on the Upper East Side.
"This is a great opportunity for students to become involved with the community in which they go to school," said Raquel Hochroth, a Hunter student, who works in the External Affairs Offices.
"It is particularly beneficial for those students interested in becoming teachers, or working with children in their future careers."
The program works by linking students with families who share complimentary needs in terms of availability. Students interested in the program fill out a form at www.hunter.cuny.edu/babysitting, that requests personal information to ensure that they are indeed registered at Hunter. Additional information an applicant would have to fill out on the application includes past experience in childcare, and special skills, or interests. Interested participants can also send an e-mail to babysitting@hunter.cuny.edu. Parents looking for a sitter are also required to complete a form detailing the availability and hours they are seeking.
"It is important to note that the way the program is set up is that the Office of External Affairs acts strictly as a clearinghouse between the parents and students," said Hochroth.
"We then provide the parents with the names of several students who match their needs, assuring they are matriculated Hunter students, and it is then up to the parents to contact the students for interviews and hiring."
"I chose to get involved because not only do I love children, but I am also a childhood education major," said Carolyn Syskowski, a junior, who has been using the program since last semester. Syskowski works for two families, one for steady weekly hours, and the other on an as-needed basis.
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