How old does a babysitter need to be to watch my kids in California? What the law says
Finding affordable child care can be a challenge — especially in California.
California is among the most expensive states for child care in the country, The Sacramento Bee reported in 2023, noting that daycare costs in the Golden State can surpass college tuition.
If you’re wondering if your kid can stay home alone or with a babysitter who’s under 18, California law says the answer depends on a few factors, including the minor’s experience and maturity.
Here’s what our journalists with How To California — a community-driven series to help readers navigate life in the Golden State — found:
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How old do babysitters need to be under California law?
According to California Code Regulations Title 22, Section 89378, a short-term babysitter can be under 18 but must have the maturity, experience and skills to provide proper care and supervision for a child.
Though there is no minimum age for minors providing care for other children, California babysitting classes offered by the American Red Cross are designed for those ages 11 and older.
Parents and guardians should use the “reasonable and prudent parent standard” to determine if a young babysitter is suitable to care for other children, the law says.
The “reasonable and prudent parent standard” says parents and guardians should evaluate the babysitter’s age, maturity and the possible risks.
They must also ensure the babysitter knows how to reach them in case of emergencies.
Is my child too young to care for other kids?
When deciding if your child is ready to babysit, it’s important to determine whether they have a genuine interest in caring for younger kids, according to a November 2023 article by Nationwide Children’s Hospital titled “Is Your Child Ready to Be a Babysitter?”
Your child also needs to have experience being home alone, and and they should feel comfortable doing so.
“Any babysitter needs to feel secure in being alone before they are given the additional responsibility of watching other young children,” the article says.
Before becoming a babysitter, you should make sure that your child has the following traits:
- Responsible
- Mature
- Patient
- Follows rules
- Comfortable handling authority
- Makes good decisions
- Knows how to handle common household emergencies
How can I help my child get ready to babysit?
To prepare your child for babysitting, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital article advises doing the following:
- Go over emergency situations with your child and how to properly handle them
- Let your child babysit siblings first
- Get them CPR certified
- Sign them up for babysitting classes
- Allow your child to stay home alone
At what age can you leave a child at home alone?
In California there is no legal minimum age a child can be left alone, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.
However, the maturity and emotional level of a child are “factors that should be taken into account,” the agency said.
In a 2015 survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 458 members of the National Association of Social Workers were asked what they thought was an appropriate age for child to be left home alone.
Most social workers agreed a child should be at least 12 years old before being left home alone, the survey revealed.
This story was originally published August 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "How old does a babysitter need to be to watch my kids in California? What the law says."
