How old does a babysitter need to be to watch your children? In today's Child Wellness report, baby sitting basics.

As a parent, do you use a baby sitter to watch your children? Have you ever thought about how well you know the sitter? How prepared is the sitter in the event of an emergency?

When hiring a sitter, how do you know who's capable. To help kids learn, The American Red Cross offers a babysitting course for kids ages 11 to 15.

"We do check a call care; we check the surroundings to make sure the scene is safe. Then we go into call, which is what to do to call 911, poison control and the numbers to do that what the responders will ask them, "said Jamie Hamm with the Red Cross.

Along with basic CPR and the Heimlich, kids are taught how to manage small injuries, stranger danger, how and when to call 911.

The class also teaches emergency care. Know the exact address of home where you are. Know parents cell phones numbers. Locate the first aid kit and be aware if the kids you are caring for have any medical conditions or allergies. As far as telephone safety is concerned, avoid personal calls and have emergency numbers like poison control near the phone.

At what age does your child no longer need a sitter? According to experts, it doesn't have much to do with age as it does maturity. The bottom line is they need to do self-care in case of an emergency.

"Some people are preparing for that at eleven; others need a few more years. We teach the range within that realm. We do teach the class when we do skills check list we go into developmental therapy and cognitive responses," Hamm said.