Babysitting
Contrary to most peoples’ perception, there is no specific age at which a child can be left unattended. The Child and Family Services Act states that parents of children under the age of 16 years, must make "reasonable provisions" for their care. This requires parents to ensure that if they leave their children at home alone, that they have made appropriate efforts to ensure their children’s safety. This must go hand in hand with a common sense approach, for instance, ensuring children have emergency phone numbers, are mature and responsible and are not left for long periods of time without adult supervision.
Section 79 of the Child and Family services Act speaks to the Society investigating all cases where children are left alone under the age of 10 years. Generally, some children at the age of 10 years can be left alone for short periods of time, given that they are assessed to be responsible and mature enough to handle the responsibility. Remember every situation is different and children need access to emergency services.
Some children at the age of 12 years can begin to babysit. Again, this requires a common sense approach. Not all children are responsible enough by age 12 years, for instance, to babysit other children. It is important to know that there is no age specified by law for babysitting and it is a matter of the parent determining if a teenager is responsible enough to provide a safe environment for your child. Consideration should be given as to whether the babysitter has taken a certified babysitting course. The YMCA, Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance offer such courses in the Brockville area. Has the babysitter had previous babysitting experience with positive references and appears to have a good rapport with your children. The Society also considers the number of children, the ages of the children and the length of time the person is being asked to babysit. Is it too much responsibility? Remember, choosing a suitable babysitter is a very important decision.
The ultimate responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate care of a child under the age of 16 years rests with the child’s primary caregiver. The Children’s Aid Society has no specific age limits and will investigate legitimate concerns for lack of supervision up until the child is 16 years of age.
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Brockville: 613-498-2100 Kemptville: 613-258-1460 Toll Free: 1-800-481-7834