Carleton Place library to offer free first aid workshop for grandparents and new parents
As more grandparents seem to be stepping in to help care for young children, the Carleton Place Public Library (CPPL) is offering a free introductory first aid workshop designed to give caregivers greater confidence when looking after little ones.
The First Aid for Grandparents and New Parents Introductory Course will be held at the library on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in partnership with 13 First Aid and Safety Training.
According to Heidi Sinnett, CPPL programs and outreach manager, the hands-on workshop will introduce participants to basic first aid and safety skills for caring for infants and young children. While the brief session does not provide certification, attendees will have the option of enrolling in a more comprehensive course after the fact if they choose.
Sinnett told Lanarkist that the idea for the workshop came about after staff noticed a growing trend among families attending summer programming.
“We see so many grandparents bringing children to programs in the summer,” Sinnett said. “It’s obviously a trend that is happening in our communities…Working parents who need childcare and the obvious solution being grandparents.”
According to Sinnett, the free introductory first aid session is a natural extension of the library’s existing programming and will help empower residents of all ages to be more prepared to respond in an emergency situation.
“Our hope is that parents and grandparents come away from this course feeling more prepared and confident in their skills when caring for the little ones in their lives,” she told Lanarkist.
The library noted that babies in arms are welcome to attend with caregivers, although organizers ask participants to arrange childcare for older children because of the workshop’s hands-on format. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required by emailing hsinnett@carletonplace.ca.
The library also said that they plan to gather feedback from attendees after the course to help shape future events.