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Over 5 years my child can...

start breakfast, afterschool or holiday playschemes?

Most out of school and holiday provisions will take children from the age of 4 to 12 years (a child aged 4 must also be in full time reception class and not in a nursery class)

travel free on London transport

Generally, the cheapest way for children to travel in London is by using a Zip Oyster photocard.
Children under 11 can travel free on buses and trams without needing a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard unless they look older than 10, in which case it is advisable to apply for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard

11-15 year olds can travel free on buses and trams and travel at half adult-rate on all other TfL services and most National Rail services in London with a Zip Oyster card

16 and 17 year olds can travel at half adult-rate on all TfL services and most National Rail services in London with a 16+ Zip Oyster card

be left home alone

There is no set age for leaving children home alone. The law simply says that you shouldn’t leave a child alone if they’ll be at risk.
The NSPCC offers the following advice on leaving a child at home

  • Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
  • Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time
  • Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight
  • A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with this, regardless of their age
  • If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling

get a job

Part time

The youngest age a child can work part-time is 13, except children involved in areas like television, theatre and modelling. Children working in these areas will need a performance licence

Full-time

Children can only start full-time work once they’ve reached the minimum school leaving age when they can then work up to a maximum of 40 hours a week. Read more on child employment

leave school

A child/young person can leave school on the last Friday in June if they will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
They must then do one of the following until they are 18:
stay in full-time education, for example at a college
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
Read more on:

Free/Funded childcare for 2 year olds

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