From What Age Can You Safely Leave Your Child Home Alone?

There’s no single legal age in Canada when a child can be left home alone—but there are clear guidelines. Most experts agree that children under 10 should not be left unsupervised, while kids aged 11 to 12 can manage short periods during the day. The key is assessing your child’s maturity, communication skills, and ability to follow safety rules. Each child develops at their own pace, so readiness depends more on behaviour than age.

How to Know If Your Child Is Ready to Stay Home Alone

From what age can you leave your child alone at home? And when should you still hire a babysitter? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—every child is different. This article offers clear guidance to help you assess if your child is truly ready to handle being home alone.

What Are the Home Alone Laws in Canada?

Some countries have strict laws that define a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. In Canada, this is not uniformly legislated. For example:

• In Ontario, the Child and Family Services Act states that children under 16 must not be left alone if it puts them at risk, but doesn’t specify an exact age.
  
• In Quebec, children under 12 are generally not considered old enough to be left alone.
  
• Other provinces offer similar guidance without fixed rules.
  

As a parent, you’re responsible for deciding whether your child is independent enough. Legally, if your child is deemed “in need of protection” while alone, you could be held accountable.

How to Decide If Your Child Can Stay Home Without Supervision

You know your child best. But leaving them home alone is a big step. It involves letting go—and that can be difficult. Parents often imagine every possible scenario. Still, giving your child this responsibility in small steps can build their confidence and teach valuable life skills.

Age Guidelines: When Can Kids Stay Home Alone in Canada?

Here are general guidelines to help you decide based on age and how long your child can safely stay home alone. These can also help determine if overnight stays are appropriate.

Child’s Age	Recommendation
Under 7	Never leave a child alone—not at home, in a car, at the playground, or school.
8–10 years	Start practising short daytime periods alone. No longer than 30 minutes.
11–12 years	Can stay alone for up to 2 hours in daylight or early evening.
13–15 years	Can stay home alone for longer periods, but not overnight.
16 years and up	Should be able to manage alone overnight and for longer periods if needed.

What Factors Affect Whether a Child Can Be Left Home Alone?

While general age guidelines are helpful, they’re not set in stone. Many 11- or 12-year-olds in middle school already spend time home alone after school. That’s because several key factors influence whether your child is truly ready to stay home alone. Some children have a stronger sense of responsibility earlier than others. An 8-year-old might be able to handle an hour alone just fine, while another child of 10 may still need close supervision. The decision depends more on maturity than on age.

Where you live also plays a big role. Is your neighbourhood quiet and safe—or is it busy, with lots of traffic or security concerns? Do you live in a rural area where help may be farther away, or in a high-rise apartment with more oversight?

Having older siblings can make a big difference. If a teenager is around to keep an eye out, your younger child may feel more secure. And of course, how long you’re gone matters. Stepping out to run an errand for 15 minutes is very different from going to a late-night event for three hours. In short: while the age guidelines are a useful reference, your final decision should be based on your child’s independence, sense of responsibility, and comfort level.

Support from the Babysitter to Build Confidence

If your child isn’t quite ready to stay home alone, a trusted babysitter can do more than just keep them safe—they can also help your child build independence at their own pace. You can work together with the sitter to introduce small routines that encourage confidence, like letting your child practice simple tasks under supervision or talk through what to do in certain situations. With the right support, your child can feel more capable and prepared—step by step.

Home Alone Safety Checklist: What Every Child Should Know

Leaving your child home alone for the first time can be nerve-wracking—for you and for them. That’s why preparation is key. Your child will pick up on your emotions, so staying calm and confident is essential. Make sure they understand and can handle the basics below. These 7 points will help you assess whether your child is ready to be left home alone safely—even if something unexpected happens.

1. Do they know their full name?

This may sound obvious, but children need to be able to say their full name clearly, even in a stressful or sleepy moment. If help is needed, responders need to know who they’re helping.

2. Can they use a phone?

Whether it’s a smartphone or a landline, your child should know how to call a trusted adult or emergency services. Practice with the actual phone they’ll be using.

3. Do they know how the front door works?

Some doors have tricky locks or bolts. Make sure your child knows how to lock and unlock the door safely. If you have a home security system, they should know how to arm and disarm it.

4. What do they do if someone knocks?

Discuss who is allowed inside. For example, your child may open the door only for someone they recognize—like a regular delivery driver—or, better yet, only open the door for someone they’ve been told in advance is coming.

5. Should they answer the phone?

If you allow them to pick up the landline or cell, they should know what to say and what not to reveal. Practise a few role-play calls to get them comfortable.

6. What if they feel unsafe?

Make a plan: if they feel uncomfortable, where should they go? A trusted neighbour? A nearby friend’s house? Teach them how to leave the house safely if needed, especially if you have special locks.

7. What should they do in an emergency?

Talk through possible scenarios like smelling smoke, a fire, or an injured sibling. Go over the steps they should take—and rehearse them. Just like at work or school, safety drills can save lives.

How Parents Can Prepare Their Child to Stay Home Alone Safely

As a parent, your job isn’t just to decide if your child is ready—you also need to set them up for success. Especially if you’ll be far away or unreachable for a while, your child should always have a way to get help if needed. That means preparing your child and your home in advance.

Write down important phone numbers

Even if your child has memorized 911, write it down anyway—panic can make them forget. Include your cell phone number and times when you’re reachable, a neighbour’s contact, a grandparent’s number, and your designated emergency contact. Tape the list near the phone so it doesn’t get lost or blown away.

Arrange an emergency backup

Your emergency contact (or “backup”) should be someone who can reach your home quickly in case something happens. That person needs a spare key and should live within 5–10 minutes of your house. Let your child know who this person is, and make sure their number is also on the contact list.

Keep everything within reach

Make sure snacks, drinks, and anything else your child might need are easy to access. You don’t want them climbing onto counters or digging through upper cabinets to find something. Leave out what they’re allowed to eat or drink—and ensure it’s enough to last while you’re gone.

Set clear rules

Can your child watch TV? Should homework or chores be done first? If you’re gone in the evening, what’s their bedtime? Can they use the microwave or oven? Are they allowed to visit friends or have visitors? Discuss all expectations in advance to avoid confusion.

Let them know when you’re not reachable

Sometimes you’re in a meeting and can’t answer your phone. Let your child know ahead of time so they don’t panic. You can also check in with them regularly while you’re out to see how they’re doing.

Make a boredom-proof list

Help your child make a short list of things to do when you’re not home—so they have fun, feel occupied, and don’t feel the need to improvise their own (possibly risky) entertainment.

Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone for the First Time?

Once you’ve gone over everything with your child and feel confident, it’s time to test the waters. Start slow—maybe leave for 15 minutes while you run a quick errand, then gradually increase the time. Go at a pace that feels right for you and your child.

Letting your child stay home alone can feel like a big deal. You’re handing off a bit of your responsibility, which is a healthy part of growing up. It teaches independence, builds confidence, and helps children feel capable. Most kids feel nervous the first time—but also proud that you trust them.

If your child is extremely anxious, don’t push it. Consider arranging a babysitter—regardless of their age—or bring them along to your appointment. You can always try again later.

Not Quite Ready? Try a “Practice Run” with a Trusted Neighbour

Have a good relationship with your neighbours? If your child is curious but still nervous, ask a trusted neighbour if you can leave a baby monitor at their place. Your child gets to practise being home alone, while your neighbours can listen in and step in if needed. Make sure they have a key to get inside just in case.

Letting your child stay home alone is a milestone—for them and for you. With the right preparation and communication, it can become a positive step toward independence.