How old does a child need to be before they can be left unsupervised?
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 requires 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.
