As the summer holidays stretch out ahead getting care for children can be a headache. For the usual school days come to an end, instead leaving many working parents having to deal with childcare.
And whether it is the often sky-high cost of placing them in a summer scheme or the constant pleas from youngsters to be left home alone, many families are facing the dilemma of what to do. But with the law full of grey areas on the matter it can be a tough decision.
While the law does not say an age when you can leave a child on their own, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk., according to the government. Instead it says you should "use your judgement on how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone, for example at home or in a car".
