To leave dd1 home alone once a week for an hour while I work?

[MissMalteser]

dd1 is just turned 11 & since her birthday I have started to let her walk home from school once a week (ten minute walk, no main roads) let herself into the house & start her homework until I get home from work (she gets home @ 3:15 & I am home for around 4:15, I pop home @ lunchtime & open the door for her so she has no key to worry about losing, & call her @ around 3:30 to make sure she's got home ok & started her homework
I was quite comfortable with this & saw it as her starting to gain some independence, especially since come September she will be needing to travel to secondary school on her own, including unaccompanied on a bus, so I seen it as a bit of preparation one day a week
However I've just had a call from her teacher, asking if I was in need of any "additional support" after school as she was sure it was a worry for me, and did I know they had an after school club?
I was quite taken aback and explained all the reasons I was quite fine with it, which she did agree with, but it did make me a bit tbh
Dd1 is also quite happy with the arrangement btw & is quite mature for her age, she knows not to use the cooker if she is hungry, don't open the door to anyone and my number is programmed into our home phone etc

[Pagwatch]

I gave ds1 a key at that age. We got a length of elastic and tied it inside a zipped pocket in his bag. It was loss proof.

[differentnameforthis]

we have an elderly couple next door who are home all day

If you are worried about her having a key, would they look after it for you?

[Blondeshavemorefun]

we are talking once a week for an hour for an 11yr - not every night for 4 hrs and younger children - the only thing i would have said is give her a key and not leave your house unlocked, but you have done that now so dont see the problem

11yrs are often walking alone to school/on bus etc - they start secondary school and have to be more independant

[LittleprincessinGOLDrocks]

When I first started walking home at 11 (year 6 - the last term before high school) my door key was left with the lady across the street. She was in all day. There for my mum was certain my key wouldn't get lost, and a responsible adult would know I had got home safely. She then told me not to answer the phone. If Mum was delayed she would ring the lady across the street who would nip over and let me know.

As long as you and your DD are happy with the arrangement, I think it makes sense to start this now, so she is ready for starting high school.

[MissMalteser]

Thank you everybody for your words of wisdom, it is easy to second guess yourself as a parent even when you have made what you think is the right choice, but as the overwhelming majority on this thread think it's fine I am happy to stick to my original rolly eyes about the call
For the poster who asked the conversation ended ok, she just repeated that the offer for after school care was there and to let her know if I changed my mind, I don't think I'll be taking it up :)