What is the legal minimum age for a babysitter?
79817
There is no real minimum in most states, at least that I'm aware of, but there could be in some. The real question isn't how old the babysitter, but whether or not the parent is endangering the child by leaving them with the babysitter. A 9 year old could be completely competent to babysit, especially if she was aware of what to do in an emergency, but if something happened to the child she was watching, there could definitely be charges of child negelct/endangerment against the parents.
1169990
It depends on what state you are in. I live in Wisconsin and there is no set age. As long as it is a reasonable amount of time and as long as the child knows what to do in case of an emergency and has a list of important phone numbers.
111648
In most states it is 18, otherwise a parent or guardian would need to sign for the person.
1097847
NY state statutes set no age under 18 when a child is legally considered old enough to stay home alone. Thus parents are left with many case-by-case judgments, and prosecutors with vast discretion if something goes wrong.  With that said, prepare your kids, trust your kids and decide based upon your judgement of their abilities and be prepared to defend your decision if "god forbid" an unfortunate situation  requires you to.
174601
It is generally recommended that children younger than age 10 never be left at home alone. In some states it is even illegal to leave children younger than age 10 home alone on a regular basis. \n\nBy the age of 11 or 12, some children can stay home alone safely for up to a few hours.\n\nI'm not sure though the actual law in Texas. The website I have listed is an artice and in that article it mentions something about not until they are 15.
593676
Those who are looking for babysitting and chores around their home to be done. Everyelse, you're lucky to find a job when you're 15. Just wait until you're 16.
202317
Maximum compulsory age is 17.
114740
It's 16 or 18 depending on circumstances. For more info, see my source.
1185792
in the uk its 16 with the parents consent in australia its 18 in uk 18 with out permission
914944
The previous posters are partially correct. It depends on the state you live in. Check out this link and find the minimum age you need to be according to Child Labor Laws in your state.\n\nhttp://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/agriemp2.htm
1108428
dont think there's an age limit
312215
No, I think the age limit is 35.
453339
You need to check with the local childcare licensing department for their regulations.  However, most, if not all states require that anyone directly taking care of children in a childcare setting must be at least 18 years old.
830574
can't help ya with american law\n\nIn Canada, a 12 year old can legally babysit although I wouldn't personally recommend it.  But it's sort of ergo, if old enough to baby sit, old enough to stay home alone until mom gets home.\n\nI have let a 14 year old babysit for me, so the police likely thought your brother met the age standard...you too for that matter\n\nAs for your additions, I know my 15 year old nephews have been given the weekend at their house (parents gone away).  But they're good boys....\n\nWhat's really bugging you?  Is it just that you're ticked with the cops for bustin dad, apparently mistaken identity?  Or did your brother abuse the authority of being the boss of the house for a couple of days.\n\nI'm seeing down there the standard is pretty much 12.  Trust me, you wouldn't have wanted to go to a group /foster home unless absolutely necessary.  And if bro was 14 and you 13, I'm sure you guys coulda handled it. So, what's really buggin you about this?
413066
Legally, you probably have to be 12 to stay home alone, and you probably have to be older than that (maybe 14) to count as old enough for it not to be neglect to leave a kid under 12 with you (i.e. to babysit).  But I'd say that if you start every word of your sentences with capital letters you're definitely not old enough.
620366
There isn't really any set qualifications for babysitting. A good babysitter would know CPR and have first aid training and maybe a few child care classes.
675107
You have to be 21+, but in some cases they might consider 18. Alot of them though, they prefer you to be over 25 for obvious reasons.