What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?
WITH the school holidays here, many parents are wondering: What age can your child legally babysit another in England?
The long school summer holiday is here – and with it comes the juggle to find childcare while you’re at work or out for the evening.
PAIn the UK, there isn’t a legal minimum age for a child to babysit[/caption]
GettyBut NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn’t be left in charge of younger kids[/caption]
Formal childcare options such as childminders, holiday clubs and play schemes can prove pricey – especially over six long weeks.
That’s why many parents turn to older siblings or trusted teens to step in – but knowing where the law stands on it can be a grey area.
And while leaving a 14-year-old in charge might seem convenient – experts warn it’s not always safe or sensible.
What are the laws?
In the UK, there isn’t a legal minimum age for a child to babysit.
However, the NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn’t be left in charge of younger kids – especially for long periods or overnight.
That’s because they’re unlikely to have the maturity, experience or legal responsibility to cope in an emergency.
Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a “one size fits all” law.
Leaving a child with someone who isn’t able to care for them properly could be classed as neglect – meaning the blame will fall back on the parent.
So, while teens might be keen to earn pocket money or help with siblings this summer, it’s up to parents to judge whether they’re truly ready.
At what age can a child be left home alone?
Infants and young children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone – even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road.
This applies not just to leaving them home alone – but also in your car while you run into the shops.
For primary school children, the NSPCC wouldn’t recommend leaving a child under 12 years old for long periods.
And children aged 6-12 years old are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit, or cook for themselves without adult supervision.
Once your child reaches secondary school age, you should talk to them about how they would feel if they were left alone at home.
Free summer holiday activites
You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer...
Museums – Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids.
Parks – Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy.
Beach – It doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland.
Library – If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds.
Cooking – Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge.
Playdates – Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising.
Boardgames – Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble.
Whether they are 12 or 18 years old, there might be reasons that they don’t feel safe in the house alone.
Some might not be ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency.
You should never leave a child home alone if they don’t feel ready, or if you don’t feel they are ready.
Sometimes it’s better to leave them with someone – particularly if they are nervous or have complex needs.
Top Tips for finding the right babysitter
Helen Westerman, the NSPCC’s strategic campaigns boss, said: “Introduce your child or children to that person, and maybe have a little trial run.
“It might be that you leave them with your child for 30 minutes in the house while you’re in another room to make sure you feel confident and comfortable, and your child feels confident and comfortable.
“As a parent, you’ll know if something doesn’t feel quite right, so trust your gut and don’t go along with an arrangement if it doesn’t feel right.”
Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what’s expected.
That includes what time the kids should go to bed, what their routine looks like, whether there are any screen-time rules, and how to comfort them if they get upset – for example, with a favourite toy or blanket.
She also stressed the importance of leaving your contact details and at least one other emergency number in case something goes wrong.
If your child has any allergies, medical issues or complex needs, the babysitter should be fully briefed – including where to find any medication and what to do in an emergency.
It’s also a good idea to set some ground rules before you head out.
Be clear about whether the babysitter can have friends over, or if your children are allowed to invite anyone round while you’re gone.
And if you’re leaving your child with a teenage babysitter, Helen suggested letting a neighbour or friend know your plans.
That way, if there’s a problem and you can’t get home quickly, someone nearby might be able to step in.
Tips for keeping organised during the summer holidays
IF you aren't sure how to keep organised during the summer holidays, then you've come to the right place.
Senior Fabulous Writer, Sarah Bull, has shared her top tips…
FOOD: One thing I find difficult is keeping on top of my kids’ constant requests for snacks.Despite the fact they have one break time at school and then lunch, their demands for food during school holidays seem to be 24/7.To make things easier, I’ve decided to bring in snack baskets for them.They each have a certain amount of food (the same so that there’s no arguments) and once it’s gone, it’s gone.Not only does it make my life easier, it teaches them that they have to spread things out – and to maybe see if the ‘hunger signals’ are actually ones of hunger or thirst.
ACTIVITIES: It can be hard to keep your kids entertained – and six weeks can feel like an awfully long time.One thing to take advantage of is having an outside space. If you have a garden, you can put bikes or scooters in there, or even a trampoline.It keeps them entertained and also makes sure they’re doing some kind of physical activity every day.If you don’t have the space for a climbing frame or added activities, why not give the kids a bucket of chalk and get them to draw on the paving slabs?Or another one I did was to give the kids a ‘magic solution’ I needed painted on the wall (it was just water and washing up liquid) to protect it. They spent a good hour doing that!
CLOTHES: One thing I’ve used from when my daughter, now six, started school is to use clothing drawers for her and my son, who’s 10.On a Sunday, I put all of their clothes, underwear, socks etc in the corresponding drawer for the week.Usually it’s uniform, but I still use the drawers during the holiday too.It just makes things easier, more organised and less stressful – for all of us.
GettyHelen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what’s expected[/caption]
GettyOnce your child reaches secondary school age, you should talk to them about how they would feel if they were left alone at home[/caption]
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