10yr nearly 11yr at home by themselves

[SamHHM37]

I need to ask is a 10 nearly 11 ye old at home 2-3 days a week acceptable while I come home from work??

Is this after school? If so and the child is sensible, comfortable with it and can contact someone in an emergency, I’d say it’s fine.

Nope

If they're trustworthy and sensible and won't invite friends over or accidentally set fire to the house, and if it's not for hours on end, and if they know what to do in an emergency and you are contactable, then yes, I would.

How long for? Would they be letting themselves in? Have they been left before? What plans are in place for problems?

I have a 10 nearly 11 year old whom we leave for very short periods when my husband leaves and I'm on my way home but my child is home already not letting themselves in, we have rules in place around cooking and letting people in and our neighbour is home and happy to be on call, we are also their on call people if she needs to nip out and leave her similar age child home alone for short periods.

All this for me would depend on my individual child and how they are on the day.

It’s quite young but then again secondary is not far off

exact same age as my eldest and I pay 30 a day for care after school for peace of mind and I love the lady who minds them

No, in Ireland our guidelines by Barnardo's don't recommend it until our secondary age so 13+.

How long for?

From what time and what time until ? I would imagine they start seniors school in September

If they’re a sensible child it’s fine. I don’t know any 10/11 years olds going to childcare!

If they’re sensible then it’s probably fine

I think it's absolutely fine.

It’s fine.

I would make sure they have a mobile phone and you need to charge it overnight (don’t rely on child), and instruct them what to do in a variety of emergencies.
I would phone around the time you expect them to be home and also set up tracking on the phone so you get notified when they leave school, reach home etc.

Also issue firm instructions they must not use the cooker!

It depends on their personality and what they like doing. If they like to jump around and climb and make toast, probably not. If they’re happy to sit quietly watching TV etc no problem. And if they know to get out of the house if there’s a fire.

Mine was. He was sensible and it was fine.

I had to do this when DS was 11 and started secondary as there was no childcare provision. It was only 2 days a week as I wfh 3 days a week. He was fine.

Presumably they will be going to secondary school in September? IME from year 7 it’s pretty normal to get yourself home and sorted until parents get back from work. There isn’t nearly as much after school provision for kids that age. Starting the arrangement a few months early wouldn’t bother me.

I think it's too young for 3 days a week every week.

Two to three FULL days every week? - No

Two to three times a week , an hour or so once child gets in from school and you're already on your way back from work - Yes

Assuming year 6, it's probably OK to build up to secondary but depends how long for, how far away and contactable you are (or someone else trusted) and how sensible they are.

I would have said childcare would be better at that age if at all possible.

Depends on the child. But inntheory l would say ok so long as it isn't for ages.
My dd is year,7 and hates being home alone - we are working on it!

I'd have no problems with that but it largely depends on you child and whether you actually practiced leaving them home alone for short periods to build up to the time you need them to manage independently

Depends whether you get home at 5pm or 10pm!

My just turned 11yo is fine for a couple of hours. Usually with her sister (12yo) but not always. They know our next door neighbours and can go there in an absolute emergency.

I presume they ate capable of the journey home as well? They vary too... its different having a 10 min walk to catching 3 buses!

Assuming it's only for an hour or two the yes, of course it's fine.

I cannot see the issue!