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Original poster

Is it OK for a Yr7 pupil to be home alone for an hour after school?

125 replies

Pipsquiggle · 17/04/2023 17:28

Trying to sort out my childcare from Sept onwards.

At the moment I pay quite a lot of money for wrap around care for my 2DC - long story, but they currently go to different primary schools, one of which didn't have any breakfast or afterschool clubs. Both DH & I work FT

My eldest starts secondary school in Sept. They will take the train. They will get back at 4:30ish each day. We will get in usually around 5pm-5:30pm. Would it be OK for him to be on his own for this amount of time? Is it the done thing? They are usually pretty sensible.

I am thinking this will be a couple of times a week, as they will probably join some form of clubs / societies.

OP posts:
onlyconnect · 17/04/2023 17:29

It depends entirely on the child. If you think your child will feel ok about it, to me it's absolutely fine.

happyinherts · 17/04/2023 17:30

Only if he can text you to say he's home, and knows your rules on answering door, making food, etc.

Scanorspam · 17/04/2023 17:30

I would say so, yes.

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HazyDragon · 17/04/2023 17:31

I think at that age it's up to you to decide, based on your child.

Personally, I would say that if they can get on a train alone, then sitting in the house should be no issue.

Clymene · 17/04/2023 17:32

If he's capable of getting public transport alone, he's capable of being home alone.

foreverbasil · 17/04/2023 17:32

I think it's fairly standard at this age. You may need to have ground rules in place but I did it and so do most secondary parents. You know your own child's ability and temperament and can judge his ability to cope. I had good neighbours who were around in case of emergency

FatGirlSwim · 17/04/2023 17:33

Definitely fine, unless you have reason to think it’s not fine for your particular child.

NuffSaidSam · 17/04/2023 17:33

Unless your child has additional needs then, yes, this is absolutely fine. It would be concerning if it wasn't tbh!

Precipice · 17/04/2023 17:33

Of course! Your child is travelling to school alone; how then can it not be fine for your child to be at home alone? Much less risk sitting at home.

Forever42 · 17/04/2023 17:33

Mine has being doing this since the start of year 7. Sometimes longer than an hour. I only work 15 minutes away so can be home in an emergency. Make sure they always have their phone and maybe come up with a couple of neighbours who your DC could go to if there was a problem.

fullofeasterchocolate · 17/04/2023 17:33

Yes but start building up to it now, especially if he isn't used to getting the train. Otherwise, you're expecting him to remember a whole load of new things all of a sudden.
If you/he aren't ready for it, it may be that he can stay in the school library and do some homework. Or there may be a school club he wants to do that day.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 17/04/2023 17:34

Depends on the child, depends on the environment etc but if they can get public transport surely they must be quite sensible?

Irritateandunreasonable · 17/04/2023 17:34

If he’s sensible enough enough to get the train he can definitely stay home alone.

OnMyWayToSenility · 17/04/2023 17:34

I'd be more worried about leaving a 14 yr old at home alone! They get up to all sorts 🤣

You'll be fine they're still quite cute at that age and slightly sensible

carriedout · 17/04/2023 17:34

I think it is fine, as in not dangerous/neglectful in any way at that age, but if I am being honest my view is it is not ideal as it can be lonely/boring/worrying for them doing that every day.

So if you can afford childcare then carry on for a little longer, if you can't then they will be OK but maybe try to find ways to make it less often if possible.

PuttingDownRoots · 17/04/2023 17:34

My 11yo is ok for a few hours.
From September I'll have to leave 10yo as well with her for a couple of hours once a week, which I'm 90% confident about.

MintJulia · 17/04/2023 17:34

How does you child feel about it? If he is calm about it, no problem.

My ds was perfectly happy to do that for the last term of year 6. He knew he had access to his snack, drink, tv and Switch. He knew to lock himself in and not open the door to anyone.
He knew to call me at the slightest problem. We rehearsed what to do if there was a fire.

Comedycook · 17/04/2023 17:35

This would have been fine for my Ds. I am a sahm so wasn't necessary but my younger DC had an appointment after school once and he came home to an empty house and was fine until I got back an hourish later.

My DD is now in year seven and absolutely couldn't do this.

Make sure he is confident using the door key and give him a plan of what to do incase he loses the key

NillyNoMates · 17/04/2023 17:35

Yes.

Biscuitsneeded · 17/04/2023 17:36

Of course! If he can get himself home I can't imagine he can come to too much harm sitting at home playing games on his phone or doing homework for 45 minutes!

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 17/04/2023 17:37

do you even have a choice? locally to me there's no provision for kids of this age.

it's a good idea to train your DC up a bit and establish rules you're comfortable with around cooking/answering the door/internet use etc. Make sure they know how to get out in case of emergency, and who to phone/knock on locally. Ask a neighbour to hold a spare key.

Original poster
Pipsquiggle · 17/04/2023 17:37

I am glad there is a consensus here.

I personally think they will be fine.

My DH thinks we need to put them in a homework club (pretty sure there isn't one) every day.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 17/04/2023 17:40

At my dcs secondary school, the pupils have the option to go to the library after-school until 4pm...does his school have that?

MilkshakeEarthquake · 17/04/2023 17:41

Even with additional needs there are no special rules for children with sen so no it doesn’t matter if they have sen it’s down to the child not all children with sen can never be left alone!

Original poster
Pipsquiggle · 17/04/2023 17:43

Annoyingly there is a train at 4pm but then the next one is at 5:20pm so if they haven't got a club I would prefer them to get the 4pm train

OP posts: