What age is appropriate to leave home alone?

[Spename84]

i know everyone’s different and it can depend on the child but I’m having some problems with childcare since I got a new job and was wondering how old ppl left their child for an extended period? I think when I was younger it was when I went to high school (13-14) my kids aren’t near that yet but I was just wondering what ppls thoughts were and how you coped with working and having next to no childcare options. My shifts are only mainly 4 hours long.

Nothing to do with work or childcare but my children both walk to school by themselves.

Oldest was just 7 when he started, youngest almost 6 1/2 (but walking with his 9 year old brother together)

I'm not in the UK and here it is totally normal in fact encouraged by the school. The more kids walk the safer it is.

I think for UK standards maybe about 10 is OK? 13/14 seems way too old to me they need to learn to be independent

Sorry thought you asked about walking to school for some reason. I don't leave mine at home alone for that long, youngest (almost 7) just to pop to the shop for 5/10 mins. Oldest is 9 and I do leave him for up to an hour or so if I've got to drop his brother somewhere or something. I wouldn't leave them any longer than that currently.

I've started leaving my 10 year old for short periods, hoping to work up to 2-3 hours by the time he starts high school next year which will be the time between school finishing and my getting home.