How old does a child have to be to stay home alone in Ontario?
Ontario does put an age in law, and it covers children under 16. What the law says, and its source, is below.
The rule in Ontario
Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act says no one in charge of a child under 16 may leave the child without making provision for their supervision and care that is reasonable in the circumstances.
Source: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 14, Sched. 1, s. 136(3) (Ontario e-Laws)
Checked October 15, 2026. Laws change, and this isn’t legal advice: your local child protection office can tell you how they see it.
What safety experts suggest, by age
Wherever you live, the Canada Safety Council’s guide is a useful yardstick. It suggests not leaving a child alone before 10, and then building up slowly:
| Age | How long, at most |
|---|---|
| Under 10 | Not alone |
| 10–12 | Up to two hours, with a responsible adult nearby |
| 13–14 | Up to five hours, with an adult reachable by phone |
| 15–16 | A whole day, with a parent reachable by phone |
Age is only half of it. A child who wants to, follows rules when you’re out, stays calm when something goes wrong and can always reach an adult is ready sooner than one who isn’t. Our guide to how old a child should be to stay home alone has a readiness checklist and how to set up the after-school routine.
The days that don’t fit the routine
Home alone after school works until it doesn’t: a sore throat, an early dismissal, practice across town at 4:30. Those are the days nobody thinks about cover until 2:45. In Kid Pickup you post the pickup, someone in your circle taps I’ll do it, and if nobody has it the app sends you a nudge with time to sort it out.
Questions about Ontario
What is the legal age to stay home alone in Ontario?
Ontario does put an age in law, and it covers children under 16. Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act says no one in charge of a child under 16 may leave the child without making provision for their supervision and care that is reasonable in the circumstances.
Can a 10-year-old stay home alone in Ontario?
Ontario’s law covers children under 16, so a 10-year-old can’t be left without reasonable provision for their supervision. Safety guidance from the Canada Safety Council suggests not before 10, and then for up to about two hours, with a responsible adult nearby.