What age is considered appropriate before a child can do this...

[Poppymayday]

Get themselves home from a local school, let themselves in and stay home alone for an hour or so until adult gets back home?

I’m 66. I walked to school and back with friends at 6. I think I was about 8 or 9 before my mum would let me and older brother (by 2 yrs) be in the house alone for short periods. We were both aware of what we shouldn’t touch or mess with. My own kids were about 12 before I let them stay in the house alone as they were very molly coddled by grandparents who childminded for me

It would need to be an afterschool club, they don't just let small kids float around school libraries unsupervised; what a safeguarding nightmare!

Our school allow them to walk on their own from y5 if parents consent. I’d allow it but we live opposite school and WFH so not really the same. Year 6 to be responsible for a key imo and not alone regularly. Year 7 fine.

What if the door bell goes? They answer it and take in the package. Or they are told not to answer it and ignore it. Or it's their friend asking them to play and they go and play.

What if a stranger follows them?
Run to the nearest house and knock on the door. Call 999 on their phone (which we didn't have as kids). But what are the chances?

What if there's a gas leak? Come off it! Really? Do you know what to do if there's a gas leak? Such an unlikely occurrence.

I'd say secondary, but only once they are settled and happy to get home alone/be home alone.

Walking home alone in year 6 is a good idea, if possible - the independence helps with the jump to secondary. I don't think they are ready to come home to an empty house, though.

Yeah they don't go down mines any more either or go into service get knocked up by the lord of the manor. It's almost like we have a better understanding of child psychology and development or something and see it as neglectful to put them into situations that they're unable to navigate safely and sensibly, crazy fools that we are.

Depends on the child my 7 year old very easily could get her self home and be happy alone for a while (not that I would let them, way to young for my liking) but then my 11 year old would really struggle to navigate there way home and would hate being home alone so it really isnt an age thing more a child thing

Start of y6 for mine so they were 10. I think my younger child ideally I would like to be 11 as they are less independent but they won't have much opportunity to be home alone given they are the younger sibling so they will arrive home pretty much the same time as their older sibling who will then be in y8.

My DS is 8 theres no way I'd let him do any of that

Children far more capable than you think. And this overprotectiveness does no-one any favours.

This is what leads to parents calling universities about their kids' grades and infantilising adult children.

Age 12, as long as they’re responsible and are trusted with a mobile phone.

My son did this in Year 5. He only had to cross one road though and there was a school crossing lady who looked out for him each day. Once home he was allowed to make a sandwich and cold drink but no sharp knives and no cooking/heating anything. I always left snacks - yoghurts, fruit, crackers etc for him. He enjoyed having the house to himself and felt very grown up greeting me and asking how my day had been.😀 He was and is very sensible though. I’d say it depends on the child’s maturity and attitude rather than age per se.

NSPCC advise not to leave a child under 12 home alone

But why take the risk- the child is 8, that’s closer to 1 than 18.
Basicically this comes down to class- if you’re middle class and leave an 8 year old to walk home you’re seen as character building. If you’re working class this is neglectful.
The mother whose son died this week said he was groomed age 6- no body has access to my 7 year old without my knowing. It’s part of the job description to look after them at a young age, 8 is a young age.

It's not about age, it's about their abilities. I have 2 teens and the age they could manage this was different. Are they sensible enough to walk straight home, do they recognise danger with strangers and where/who they could go to if in trouble, are they confident crossing a road, would they react appropriately in an emergency, would they know how to keep safe at home eg know risks with ovens/fires/answering the door.

11 if they are happy with it. We had a setback when the evenings got dark early.

I was 7, but that was back in the 70s.

10 ish probably. I'm sure my 8yo could manage it, but I wouldn't do it just yet. I was seeing myself home to an empty house in year 5.

Christ alive, there really is not a single subject the English can discuss without referencing a war that ended over 80 years ago, is there.

My eldest we'd have done this from year 6 if he was within walking distance (Autumn born) youngest is AuADHD, high functioning but don't think we'd do it in primary school but hopefully year 7 (he will be able to walk and be with eldest though).

Age 10-12 I’d say. End or primary start of secondary.

I did this from aged 9.

I was doing that at 10, this was the 70s though. It was more usual back then.

Christ alive, there really is not a single subject the English can discuss without referencing a war that ended over 80 years ago, is there.

Christ alive, there is no end to how rude some people can be on Mumsnet, is there. Are people not allowed to mention an aspect of the war if it's relevant to the subject being discussed? People have mentioned sending children down coal mines and up chimneys on this thread, but someone's actual lived experience is off limits?

DS10 in yr5 walks to and from school. It’s an easy 10m walk. It’s also slightly different for us as we live in a middle school system so he is no longer at primary school. He has a phone. Twice a week he is the first one back and is on his own for about half an hour before I or his older sibling are back.