The Division of Family and Children’s Services (DFACS) has established the following guidelines for the ages that children may be left alone without adult supervision. Knowing these will help you to make decisions about before- and after-school care for your children.

• Children eight (8) years old and younger should never be left alone.
• Children between the ages of nine (9) and twelve (12) may be left alone for brief periods of time when the child is determined to be mature by the caretaker. "Brief" is defined as less than two (2) hours.
• Children ages thirteen (13) and older may be left alone and may perform the role of baby-sitter as authorized by the parent/caretaker. It is advisable to limit this time to twelve (12) hours or less and only when the child is determined to be mature by the caretaker.