Providing proper supervision of children as outlined in MCO 1752.2B

Photo By Valerie OBerry | Keep your children happy, safe and supervised.  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

02.01.2018

Story by Valerie OBerry 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

“There are several factors to consider in determining whether or not children are mature enough to be left unsupervised or capable of providing care for other children. Prior to being left alone a child should exhibit signs of accepting responsibilities which include the ability to make decisions independently, being able to consider alternatives, and completing household chores and homework assignments with minimal to no supervision. Children usually begin to exhibit these signs between 10-12 years of age; however, bear in mind, children develop and mature at different rates. Other factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the child’s age and maturity level, special medical needs of the child, circumstances under which the child is left alone, a child’s behavioral and emotional stability, how secure the child feels in its neighborhood, and skills received through self-care training. Self-care training focuses on development of skills such as, knowledge of how to deal with various emergencies, conflict with friends and siblings, handling loneliness and boredom, personal safety, simple first aid, and handling fear. It is of utmost importance that the supervision plan includes knowledge of where to reach a responsible adult and a developed emergency plan that the child can readily implement.
a. Children under the age of 9 may not be left unsupervised.
b. Children 9-11 years shall not be left alone for more than 1 ½ daylight hours and then only if they have been trained in self-care as defined above.
c. Children 12-15 years may be left alone all day if they have been trained in self-care as defined above.
d. Children 16-17 years may be left alone all night or over the weekend if they have been trained in self-care as defined above.
In making judgments regarding the age of children babysitting, the above shall be followed. The young babysitter must exhibit signs of accepting responsibilities prior to being entrusted with the care of other children. Factors to consider include: the age difference between the sitter and the child, the length of time involved, and the sitter’s comfort in being a sitter and being responsible for other children. The following will be considered in determining an appropriate childcare plan:
a. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to provide care for another child or an adult who is mentally or physically incapable of providing self-care.
b. Children 12-13 years may babysit siblings or other children up to 4 hours, if the sitter has been trained in self-care as defined above.
c. Children 14-15 years may babysit siblings or other children over 4 hours, if the sitter has been trained in self-care as defined above.
d. Children 16-17 years may babysit siblings or other children overnight or over the weekend, if the sitter has been trained in self-care as defined above.”
For more information call the Quantico Family Advocacy Program at 703-784-2570.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2018
• Date Posted: 02.22.2018 10:11
• Story ID: 266811
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US