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Original poster

What age can teenagers (legally) babysit other children?

18 replies

PuffTheMagicDragon · 21/10/2004 12:10

One of our neighbours daughters who we've got to know pretty well wants to earn some cash and has offered to do babysitting for us. We'd love a close by babysitter and she'd like some money (can't do a regular Sat job as she's doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme thingy). She's in Y10 - so think she's 15 or 16 (haven't asked as I haven't said yes to anything yet).

Anyone know?

OP posts:

Northerner · 21/10/2004 12:11

I think it is 14.

KateandtheGirls · 21/10/2004 12:11

Oh, she can definitely babysit. Here in the US the age is 12. I can't believe it would be much different there. My regular babysitter is 14 and I've been using her since she was 13 and she's great.

polkadot · 21/10/2004 12:28

I'm not aware of any minimum age for occasional babysitters. IMHO, depending on her maturity, a girl of 15/16 may very well be a suitable babysitter, especially if her parents are a few doors away and she could call on them to help if there were any problems.

You could always check about any minimum age requirement with OFSTED as they would be aware of any regulations connected with an informal childcare arrangement.

acer · 21/10/2004 12:30

I think its 16 unless they are your own then its 14 (i think)

Aero · 21/10/2004 12:33

beat me to it acer! Think that is still the general rule.

Cam · 21/10/2004 12:37

I know that children under 14 aren't supposed to be left on their own but when they are deemed to be responsible for others must be at least that age.

PicadillyCircus · 21/10/2004 12:40

My SIL is doing a babysitting course at school - she's 13. I think she'll want to do some practising on DS and we'll let her but I'm sure we'll take it in little stages.

Original poster

PuffTheMagicDragon · 21/10/2004 12:54

Thanks everyone. We are thrilled to bits at the prospect of having a very close by babysitter as its really been getting us down, not having some sort of social life occasionally.

Will double check on the age 16 rule if babysitting other people's children.

OP posts:

artyjoe · 21/10/2004 17:25

I have just finished my childminding course and last week we were told it was illegal to leave your child in the house unattended if they are under the age of 16, therefore, I can't see how 'legally' a child under this age can be responsible for another.

lou33 · 21/10/2004 17:29

But there isn't a legal age limit about leaving your child unattended at home. They can be left at any age, although if something were to happen to them while unattended, the adult who was supposed to be in charge would be held legally responsible.

KatieMac · 21/10/2004 22:10

Lou33 is right - even if a 17yo were in house by her self and something were to go wrong - the parents would be ultimately responsible - however in practice it isn't usually a problem.

If you make sensible arrangement ie contact Tel nos and consider the distance you are away from home (ie 1st time quite close etc) and discuss with her parents whether they will be in (and avail to call) then you should be OK

Caligula · 22/10/2004 01:36

I'm puzzled by that Artyjoe. Why are your course instructors peddling misinformation, I wonder?

It is not illegal to leave a child at home alone at any age. But you may be prosecuted if that child comes to any harm.

It is absolutely ludicrous to claim that a person of 15 years, 11 months and 30 days cannot be left alone in the house on one day and the next day s/he can get married with his/ her parent's permission. Even the course instructors must notice the discrepancy. The law is often an ass, but goodness, it's not that much of an ass.

Oh actually yes it is. Said 16 year old can marry but not vote. Hmm.

Think I should go to bed now!

artyjoe · 22/10/2004 10:13

I must admit, me and my partner both panicked as we have a SD who is under 16 and we had no issues leaving her unattended for half an hour here or there when we do chores outside the home that she's not interested in.

Hulababy · 22/10/2004 10:18

Found this site on childrens rights and responsibilities

"Babysitting

There is no legal minimum age below which a child/young person may not lawfully babysit.

Those who have parental responsibility for the child must ensure that the young person they have asked to babysit is capable and will provide adequate care for the younger child otherwise both those who have parental responsibility and the babysitter risk prosecution for cruelty or neglect or even a civil action.

NB. The NSPCC recommend sixteen as the minimum age for babysitting. "

Hulababy · 22/10/2004 10:19

It also says this:

"Living alone

There is no minimum age below which it is unlawful to leave a child alone.

However, if a court was satisfied that a child was suffering or likely to suffer ?significant harm? it could impose an order which would authorise the child?s removal (see Emergency Protection Order).

NB. The NSPCC suggests that no child of under 13 years of age should be left unsupervised for more than brief periods."

bonym · 22/10/2004 12:27

I have had 15 & 16 year old babysitters for dd - however the parents were very close by and easily reachable by phone if there were any emergency. I would agree that as long as you feel the girl is responsible and her parents are just up the road you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Caligula · 22/10/2004 13:13

I think when dealing with teenagers, it's as well to remember that one thirteen year old may be far more mature, sensible and safety conscious than another nineteen year old. At this lifestage, there is too much variation in development to have any hard and fast rules imo.

Annastyles · 20/04/2012 17:30

Okay, so im only 13, but I was looking at this site for PHSE at school, and saw some of these comments, I babysit for my dance teachers kids (5 & 7) and I think it's completely acceptable because she trusts me, and the kids are well behaved, I think it's all down to the person who is babysitting, and how well behaved the children are. I've known my dance teacher since I was 5/6, so she definitely knows me well enough and we are like friends now. In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with it, as long as you are sure you can trust them. (sorry its long) ;)

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