after-school care in secondary school?

[marjoriedoor]

Was just wondering what people's opinions were on the need for after-school childcare when your kids first go to secondary? Are they old enough to look after themselves at home for 1-1.5 hours? Is it legal? Moral? I get home from work by 5pm but my daughter (who is sensible at the moment!) will get home from secondary (when she goes in Sep) at between 3.30 and 4pm each day?

Not sure what to do...

Any advice?

Yes it is legal - there is no actual age where it becomes legal to be left alone, it's a question of judging the maturity of the child and the situation so you cannot be accused of leaving them at risk.

You would probably struggle to find "childcare" as such tbh as most things are geared up to younger children. If you think your daughter is fairly sensible, and most importantly she feels comfortable with the idea, I would set some ground rules that you are comfortable with, i.e. she phones/texts you as soon as she gets home, she doesn't bring other people home (unless you would actually prefer she had a friend with her) etc., have an "emergency plan" and see how she goes. Often kids are inclined to take their time getting home unless there is a specific bus/train they have to catch. If she doesn't get home until 4 that's only an hour and you may well find that she would welcome a quiet hour with the house to herself after a full on day at school.

If she's not keen on the idea there might be after school activities on site that she could go to a couple of days a week, or you might be able to arrange for her to go straight from school to a dance class or whatever she's into. If any of her friends live nearby and are in the same situation you might be able to work something out between a few of you.