Baby Sitting

The whole issue of babysitting is a very complicated one and therefore it would be advisable to check with either the children's law centre or your local advice centre for more information. The following are just general guidelines which may be of help.

The law does not state an age at which young people can babysit.

• You have to be at least old enough to work part-time (13 Yrs) before you can babysit (refer to section on part-time work).
• The law does not state the youngest age at which a child should be left with a babysitter.
• If children are left with a babysitter it is important for parents to remember that no one under the age of 16 can be charged with neglect or ill treatment of a child left in their care. Therefore parents remain responsible and can be charged themselves should any harm come to their child.
• We recommend being over the age of 16 to babysit.