A guide to what age babysitters should be in Canadian provinces & territories
Do you have a child interested in babysitting, but you’re not sure if they’re old enough? You are not alone! It may surprise you to learn that in Canada there is no legal minimum age to be allowed to babysit.
Many children begin learning babysitting skills around age 11 or 12, while they gain experience staying home alone or helping care for younger siblings. The Babysitting Course is recommended for ages 11-16. Most children begin babysitting independently around age 12, although readiness depends on maturity, comfort and experience. Taking an online babysitting course can help children build confidence before they are ready to take on babysitting jobs.
Children are typically 10 or 11 years old in Grade 5. Depending on their birthday and school entry date, an 11-year-old may be in Grade 5 or Grade 6. Course participation can begin before a child is ready to babysit independently.
Canada does not have one nationwide legal babysitting age. Some provinces and territories do have laws or guidance about when a child may be left home alone. These rules are important because a young babysitter must be ready to remain without adult supervision while also caring for another child.
Canadian laws and guidance for children staying home alone
| Province / Territory | Law or Guidance |
|---|---|
| What age to stay home alone in Ontario |
No fixed minimum age
For children under 16, supervision and care must be reasonable in the circumstances. |
| What age to stay home alone in Manitoba | 12 |
| What age to stay home alone in New Brunswick | 12 |
In Ontario, section 136(3) of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 says that a person responsible for a child younger than 16 must make provisions for supervision and care that are reasonable in the circumstances. The law does not set 16 as the minimum age to stay home alone. It means parents and caregivers must consider the individual child and the situation. Relevant factors may include maturity, comfort, experience, the length of time alone and preparation such as babysitting training.
Here are four things you should look at when considering if your child is ready to babysit:
1. Maturity Level
A babysitter needs to be able to follow rules, think critically, and be responsible for the children in their care. Babysitters must be aware of safety and how to react in an emergency. Do you find that your child is able to listen, think and act with a high level of maturity? This can indicate that they’re ready to take on an important job like babysitting!
2. Comfort
Is your child already comfortable being home alone? This is the first step that most children take, before becoming a babysitter. If they have fear or anxiety around being home alone, then they should take some time to get comfortable with that first.
3. Experience
Does your child have any experience with younger siblings or neighbours that indicates they’d be good at taking care of children? This kind of preparation can be done before taking on official babysitting jobs. Being a parent ‘helper’ for a few hours can give children valuable experience. It can also show you whether they are ready to be a babysitter.
4. Interest
A child who shows interest is an important factor. Training, like The Babysitting Course, is a proactive step your child can take to show they are ready, and prepared, to become a babysitter!
Help Them Get Ready to Babysit with Confidence
Build practical safety, responsibility and emergency preparedness skills with The Babysitting Course online.
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