The kind of supervision children need depends on their age, maturity, abilities, and surroundings. Adequate supervision is essential to keeping kids safe. An adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care, and inadequate supervision can be a type of neglect (neglectful supervision). Here are some of things you should think about when deciding how closely to supervise a child:

• How old, emotionally mature, and capable is your child?

• What is the layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting?

• What are the hazards and risks in the neighborhood?

• What is your child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies?

• Does your child have a mental, physical, or medical disability?

• How many children are being left unsupervised?

• Do they know where you are?

• Can they contact you or other responsible adults?

• How long and how often is the child (or children) left alone?

Many states do not have laws that create a minimum age at which children may be left home without the supervision of a teenager or adult. The states that do have a minimum legal age to be home alone usually place it in the 10-14 years range—and many states provide that children age 0-6 may never be left home alone. Child Protective Services may investigate an incident or situation and determine that there was neglectful supervision of a child or children, and in some cases seek to remove the child or children from the custody of the parent or parents.

In Vermont, there is no specific statute that establishes a minimum age at which children can be left home alone. Instead, the adequacy of supervision is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the child's age, maturity, abilities, and the safety of the environment. Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF) may investigate situations where a child's supervision is in question. If DCF determines that a child has been neglected due to inadequate supervision, it can result in intervention, including the possibility of the child being removed from the home. Parents and caregivers are expected to exercise good judgment in ensuring that children are left with appropriate supervision, taking into account the various factors listed, such as the child's ability to respond to emergencies, the presence of any disabilities, the number of children left unsupervised, and the duration and frequency of the child being left alone. It is important for caregivers to ensure that children know how to contact them or another responsible adult in case of an emergency.