Skip to content 
There is also specific guidance for parents living in Wales
Leaving your child home alone for the first time is a big step – but it’s not always a good idea. If you have to drive out at the last minute, or your babysitter cancels the same day, you may wonder if an older sibling can step in. But how old do you actually have to be to legally babysit?
The police weighed in, provided clear guidance to parents and ended the debate. On Ask The Police, a website run by police forces around the UK, someone asked: “Is there a minimum legal age to be a babysitter?”
The police responded: “No, there is no legal minimum age to be a babysitter. It is the parents’ responsibility to use common sense when making a decision about the welfare of their child. In all situations, parents should assess the suitability of the babysitter before leaving children in their care.”
Police say the parents could ‘follow’
Although there is no exact age at which a person can be a babysitter, experts warn that parents can still be held responsible if something happens. Police warn: “It is worth bearing in mind that a child under the age of 16 cannot be prosecuted for neglect or abuse of children in their care.
“The parents/carers/guardians would be charged in that situation. Any person who is 16 years of age or older and has responsibility for a child under that age could be prosecuted.”
Can I leave my child with their sibling?
According to The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – a leading child welfare agency in the UK – parents need to “think carefully about leaving your child alone with an older brother or sister. If they fall, you won’t be around to make peace.”
Things you might consider
- How well are your children doing? Do they fight when you are not there? Can they resolve a conflict between them peacefully?
- Talk to your older child before leaving them in charge. Ask if they feel comfortable looking after their younger brother or sister alone. You shouldn’t leave them in charge if they don’t feel comfortable.
- Does one of your children have complex needs? Think carefully about whether your child needs the supervision of an adult, in case something goes wrong and they need support.
- Agree some house rules.
- Make sure your older child knows what to do in an emergency. And come up with a safety plan to follow them when you’re not there.
- Leave them a list of contact numbers. Include all your contact numbers, friends or family members, any familiar neighbors and the emergency services.
- Do a trial run. Try leaving them together for a short time while you are still close, and build this up over time.
- Plan some activities for them to do while you are out. Both you and your children may feel more comfortable when they are focused on an activity – like watching a movie or playing a board game.
How do I find a trustworthy babysitter in Wales?
Instead of a sibling, it may be better to arrange for someone to stay with your child. This doesn’t have to be an extra cost – family and friends you know and trust can help.
If your children are younger, the nursery takes care of children up to school age. You can find a nursery place on GOV.UK if you live in England or Wales, mygov.scot in Scotland and nicma.org in Northern Ireland.
The NSPCC says for parents in Wales, it’s worth looking at the following:
What to ask your babysitter or childcare provider
The leading children’s charity is urging parents to think about what they need and see if their babysitter or childcare provider is available if they are likely to need support. It’s also worth asking if they can help in the future if your circumstances change, or if you suddenly need short-term cover. If possible, try to keep the number of caregivers to a minimum so that your child has time to feel comfortable and build trust with them.
Ask
- If they are a childcare worker, ask them what qualifications they have.
- If they are a babysitter, ask for recommendations and reviews from previous clients. If you’re not sure, call and ask how their experience was.
- Ask them how they handle situations like your child refusing to go to bed, to check if you are comfortable with their methods.
- Introduce them to your child, and even do a short test run to check if your child feels comfortable with them alone.
- Remember, there is nothing like a parent’s intuition. If you have any doubts at all about a possible babysitter, it’s always best to find someone else.
Remind them to leave with
- Contact numbers – Leave your babysitter or childcare provider with all your contact numbers, emergency service numbers and specialist support numbers if needed.
- Medical Information – Write down your child’s allergies and any medical information about your child, and where to store medicine in case of an emergency.
