School is back in session, bringing new routines—and new milestones for students. For some, this is the year they are allowed to go home to an empty house instead of an after-school program or day care. It's a decision faced by many parents whose work or other obligations keep them from coming home until long past school release time.

With after-school care often expensive and hard to find, parents have reason to encourage independence. But how can they be sure their child is ready to navigate home on their own, even if only for an hour or two?

A handful of states have set age minimums. Maryland law, for example, makes it a crime to leave a child younger than 8 years old unattended. But most states leave it up to parents and guardians. Experts say between 11 and 13 years old can be a good starting point, but stress there's more to the equation than age. And they say what's right for one child may not be for another, even within a family.

It's not a one-size-fits-all ordeal. And you really have to take it and understand the bigger picture, said Jaesha Quarrels, director of child care services at Oklahoma Human Services.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children are not ready to handle emergencies until about age 11 or 12, so the organization generally recommends structured supervision until then. But it's not that simple. Parents often want a specific answer on how old their kids have to be, but age is only one of the factors to consider, said Brian Tessmer, director of treatment and operations at Family Resources, a nonprofit agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

We really strongly encourage parents to look at many other factors because kids, obviously, mature at different rates.

At minimum, children should be able to recite their full name, home address, phone number and the name of a parent, guardian or other emergency contact. They should also know how to reach that person, experts advise.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.