going back to work and childcare

[blondie36]

i have 2 kids, 11 and 8.

I possibly have the opportunity of going back to work, 10-2 Mon-fri.

School hols is the only "problem".

I was thinking of sending the kids to a KIDZ club, instead of childminder. But noticed that they only take children up to the age of 11.

Does this mean that children can legally be left on their own at 11/12 ????

What are the government guidelines on children being left on their own for any period of time ????

I always thought it was 14, and they were able to babysit at 16 !!!

In my day we babysat at 13 !!!

Personally I think 11 is too young to be left every day in the school holidays.

What about summer camps? In our areas there are loads of different clubs you can go to in the holidays. Tennis, drama, football etc. If they are within walking distance I would say that it is acceptable for them to make their own way there and back at that age. Alternatively how about paying a local teenager to take and collect your elder child to and from the clubs?

sounds like an idea. i think i'll browse google and see what turns up. To be honest, i think summer camp will be out of our price league (we are a low income, working family,), but who know's, be MIGHT be able to get some assistance towards it??

I think i'll have to do alot of research to find out what there is out there.

Many thanks

A lot of local authorities run summer camps which are relatively inexpensive. Many also go up to age 13. It helps with the cost if you put a bit aside during the times when you are not paying for childcare so it kind of evens out the cost during year. Even if yup have a sensible 11/12 year old I think it is too young to leave them alone for that length of time, maybe ok as a one-off but not repeatedly. My eminently sensible 12 year old does not like being left home alone as he gets lonely and very bored.

I'm going to hit this problem next year. We've had no problem with holiday care but it becomes more of an issue next year when he's 10. Brother will be 7 so ideally want same venue for both. I have looked at the LA websites and there are a couple of clubs which do take them to 13.

11 is too young to be left on their own. not because of any danger issues (he's an eminnently sensible 10 year old) but I do think it would be miserable at that age to be left on his own for 9-10 hours.

it's just about doing your research. The government website link childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/childcarefinder/whitebox/cis.asp?cisid=5153&mapid=186 lets you do some proper research in advance.

Admitidly i would feel uneasy leaving her alone anyway, and couldnt do anyhow. I just find it strange how many childminders i've looked at only seem to take kids upto the age of 7 !!

Thanks for the link Quanta. will def do some more research and see what comes up.

Many thanks to all