Leaving children at home alone (2024)

FAQs

What is the legal age to leave a child in the house alone? ›

There's no legal age a child can be left home alone, but it's against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk¹.

The law does not say an age when you can leave a child on their own, but it's an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Use your judgement on how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone, for example at home or in a car.

Children left unsupervised often exhibit higher levels of fear, stress, loneliness and boredom. They are also at a greater risk to be involved in accidents and to be victimized by strangers, siblings, and friends. Children left home alone may also be more vulnerable to sexual abuse due to their easier access.

Most experts say that by age 10 or 11, it's OK to leave a child alone for short periods of time (under an hour) during the day, provided they're not scared and you think they're mature enough to handle it. But you may want to wait another year or two before leaving them alone at night.

It is important to consider the child's maturity. It might be acceptable to leave a mature 12 year old alone, but not a 13 year old or older who isn't mature and may put themselves or others at risk of harm. A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with this, regardless of their age.

With no laws prescribing the age at which children can be left home alone, it's up to you as a parent to decide when your child is ready to be left. Age is less important than maturity: for example, a sensible 12-year-old may be more mature and responsible than a slightly wayward 14-year-old.

The NSPCC advise that: children under the age of 12 are usually not mature enough to be left alone. children under 16 should not be left at home overnight.

Kids should never be left alone until they are 8 years old, and kids between the ages 8-10 shouldn't be left for more than an hour-and-a-half or during night-time hours.

But kids often insist that they'll be fine long before parents feel comfortable with it. And then there are older kids who seem afraid even when you're pretty confident that they'd be just fine. So how do you know? In general, it's not a good idea to leave kids younger than 10 years old home alone.

8 to 10 Years - Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours. 11 to 12 Years - May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circ*mstances requiring inappropriate responsibility. 13 to 15 Years - May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.

Can a 12 and 10 year old stay home alone? ›

There is no agreed-upon age when a child can stay home alone safely. Because children mature at different rates, you should not base your decision on age alone. You may want to evaluate your child's maturity and how he or she has demonstrated responsible behavior in the past.

babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone. children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time. children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight.

There is no agreed-upon age when a child can stay home alone safely. Because children mature at different rates, you should not base your decision on age alone. You may want to evaluate your child's maturity and how he or she has demonstrated responsible behavior in the past.

8 to 10 Years - Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours. 11 to 12 Years - May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circ*mstances requiring inappropriate responsibility. 13 to 15 Years - May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.

The NSPCC suggests that: Babies and toddlers should never be left home alone. Children under 12 shouldn't be left home alone for long. Children under 16 shouldn't be left home alone overnight.

Children ages 8-10 may be left alone for no more than 3 hours. 3. It may be acceptable for children 11-13 to be unsupervised or to babysit with the expectation that the parent, guardian, or caretaker will be returning within 12 hours. 4.

That time doubles once the child is 11, and by 13, she says kids can be left alone for even longer than that, but not overnight. Once the child hits 16, they can be left alone for up to two nights in a row.

For most kids, anywhere between 11 and 14 years of age is a good time to start letting them babysit their siblings.

NSW. There is no clear direction in the law. You need to use your own judgment, taking into account your own family circ*mstances and the age and maturity of your children. Parents are expected to make 'reasonable' decisions about their children's safety.

Experts recommend that: A child should be at least 12 years old before being left alone at home and at least 15 years old before they can care for a younger sibling. Children should not be left alone overnight until the oldest child is at least 16 years old.

Is it OK to leave 12 year old home alone? ›

A new survey of social workers suggests age 12 might be a safe time for many to start. Parents often wonder how old their children must be before they can leave them home alone for a few hours. A new survey of social workers suggests age 12 might be a safe time for many to start.

How old should an overnight babysitter be? Most people would agree that a babysitter should be at least 16 to watch your children overnight. Younger babysitters may seem capable, but being alone in a strange dark house is too overwhelming for most, and they might not even realize it themselves.

You may feel more ready if you can witness how your child does when you aren't around. If you go by age, 13 years old is a fairly safe age to start allowing alone time out with friends.