When can you safely leave you child unattended?
Leaving your children unattended is a tricky topic. Some parents claim they never do it. Others change the conversation and yet a third group become strident about the nanny state. And how children need to develop a sense of self confidence by having the experience of being able to fend for themselves.
So what are the facts about leaving children unattended?
Actually there are no facts. Which is what makes the subject so controversial. British law simply says that you shouldn’t leave a child unsupervised in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. This means each parent is free to make a decision about how mature each child is. The NSPCC suggests that children under 12 should not be left alone for long periods. Children under 16 shouldn’t be left overnight. Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone.
Children, nannies and supervision
For those with a maternity nurse or nanny it might seem straightforward. The child should never be left alone. But that’s not practical. There are many days when a nanny might be rushing outdoors to bring in the washing. When a maternity nurse might be on her break while mum receives a parcel she needs to sign for etc. Letting a child out of your sight for a few moments is fine. Especially in your own home. As long as they are not in the bath or running around the kitchen where food is being cooked.
But what about those longer periods? And what about outside the home? A father who was prosecuted for leaving his two year old daughter in a car while he went into a chemist to buy children’s paracetamol appealed the guilty verdict and won his case. Most of us have had to leave a child in the car for a few moments. But few of us like to talk about it, for fear of being judged unfit parents.
Babysitters and the UK law
Should a teenager be allowed to babysit a younger child. Whether for money or because they are an older brother or sister? Parents don’t always realise that if they hire a babysitter under the age of 16. The parents are still legally responsible for whatever happens during their absence.
Many parents struggle to ensure complete adult supervision throughout the day, week or month. Some of the innovative ways we’ve seen childcare issues being resolved include.
- Nanny swaps. Where one nanny collects the children for two families whilst the other does last minute shopping for both households. Or gets two lots of school lunches read for the following day.
- Crocodiles. Where the children from a street or estate are all walked to school by one or two adults. Allowing the others to grab a break if they are a nanny or get ready for work if they are a parent.
To ensure peace of mind. We recommend using trained childcare. Whether in the form of a nanny, a maternity nurse or a temporary nanny, rather than relying on one child to caretake another. Of course it costs more, financially, but in terms of confidence, knowing your children are in the care of a trained professional is usually priceless.