What age can a child legally babysit another in England during the school summer holidays? Full rules explained

WITH the school holidays in full swing, finding childcare may feel like an even trickier challenge. Many parents may rely on older siblings to act as childminders, but they may not know where the law stands on leaving children unattended. Under-16s are not recommended to babysit their siblings, according to the NSPCC Credit: Getty What are the laws on letting my children babysit? Leaving your teenage children to look after younger siblings may seem like the affordable alternative to pricey babysitters, childminders and summer clubs. In the UK, the law doesn’t specify an age when you can leave a child on their own, and there isn’t a legal minimum age for a child to babysit. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! However, the NSPCC warns that under-16s should not be left in charge of younger siblings, especially for a long period of time or overnight. This is because they’re too young to be legally responsible if your child is harmed, and they may not be prepared to cope in emergency situations. Leaving a child with someone who cannot safely take care of them properly is also considered as neglect, so the responsibility will come back to the parent. Before asking an older brother or sister to babysit, it is important to ask if they feel comfortable looking after their sibling alone, can respond to emergencies and agree on any house rules. What age can a child be left by themselves at home? When choosing an age that your child can be left home alone, there is no “one-size-fits-all” rule – however, the NSPCC does offer advice. Most importantly, infants and children between the ages of zero and three should never be left alone, whether it be to leave the house for 15 minutes, or leaving them in the car to run into the shops. Most read in The Sun It is equally not recommended to leave primary school aged children under 12 home alone, especially not for a long period of time. Children of these ages are often too young to cook, walk home from school, or babysit other children, so it may be more advisable to find suitable childcare for them. Once children reach secondary school age, parents can begin to speak about leaving them at home. However, just because a child is growing up doesn’t mean they want to be left alone, so it is important to respect how ready they feel. How do I find the right babysitter for your child? Choosing the right childcare often depends on the child’s age and what they are comfortable with, alongside how dependant you are on them. Childminders can take care of children in their own home for a range of ages, and babysitting agencies can help with occasional help. Helen Westerman, the NSPCC’s strategic campaigns boss, advises: “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.” It is also important to set ground rules with the babysitter or childminder, and if they are a teenager, Helen suggests letting a neighbour or friend know about your plans. Comment now