11 year old home alone?

[QualitySweetHero]

DC is 11 and in year 7.

i work in primary so will be going back on the 4th. (in theory)

DC will be online learning until the 11th supposedly.

I have not left them home alone for more then 2 hours before. I haven't heard back about key worker places yet - I know they are on a well deserved break so understand the delay but I really want a rough plan in my head incase. Plus DC is very resistant to going in on key worker provisions as they did for the entire first lockdown due to being in year 6.

Would you leave an 11yo home 8-4?

[quote kowari]**@3littlewords
I agree, which is why my 14 year old will be attending under keyworker provision. He was latch-keyed at 9. I also don't trust that it will only be a week.[/quote]
Its a shame for those dc who's parents aren't classed as KW but also who can't work from home. The illusion that only KW work out the home is astonishing.

I left dd now year 8 in the first lockdown for 3 days. I left her a packed lunch and a tub of snacks and phoned her at lunch. She was fine, managed her zoom lessons by herself. Not ideal but no choice. Now ds year6 is last out some mornings by half an hour so locks up and goes to school by himself. Covid has changed things and they've had to do things that normally I would have left a couple more years.

I really feel for parents having to make these choices. I have a 14 year old with additional needs who has never been left alone and cannot be. I'd hate to have to choose between her and my job that was supporting us all.

I am in this exact position and no keyworker care offered currently as only one week. My husband and I are splitting the week. I have emailed my head to tell her. Primary Schools of all places should understand your predicament. I refuse to leave my child for 8 hours and if an 11 year old in yr 6 was left all day we as school staff would probably flag up as a safeguarding concern. My head has been very supportive

Its a shame for those dc who's parents aren't classed as KW but also who can't work from home. The illusion that only KW work out the home is astonishing. Some employers are just being difficult. An ECV relative of mine is being forced to go into the office 2 days a week when those duties could be swapped with other staff. But I think the keyworker definition does need to be widened, and more vulnerable children encouraged to attend.

I'm in the same position.... He's going in for key worker provision.

Thanks for your replies.

I am hoping the school will provide a key worker place and I will use that if offered.

DC is fairly sensible but it feels too long a time for me to be honest. I am also worried that it could be longer so I'd like to start at KW provision.

I had to leave ds 11 for 3 days at the end of term as they closed Yr 7 for last week. I had just started a new job on the first day and had no alternative but to leave him. He's sensible, has a phone and we have multiple alexas around the house he could call out to to call me if an emergency. I really struggled with leaving him. He felt lonely (despite chatting to his friends on facetime) and really struggled with staying engaged with online learning. If they delay start back to school I will request he goes back. I'm not a keyworker but he just refuses to engage with online learning so hope that will help sway with a place.

Is so horrible as he loves being independent but this has been just a step too far too quickly I feel

I would leave my 11yo year 6.

Just to update: The school have extended the closure until the 18th but won't be starting them back online /KW in school until the 7th. I go back 5th.

I have been offered a KW place and have taken that up. DC not pleased but will get a couple of days home alone so will feel grown up and trusted a bit at least.

Thanks for your replies - it helped to have the feedback.

Good update!