Just to prove 100% to our mostly Swiss little village that us Auslanders are a little bit... er.. unconventional, yesterday for the first time ever, our 8 year old was home sick, and the 5.5year old headed back to kindy for the afternoon session.

All fine except my husband (who is home with the kids) decided to run out and get medicine for the 8yo, leaving him home alone for the first time for a very short time. Of course, during this time, the kindy rang to say the little guy hadn't turned up and wanted to speak to Daddy.. who our 8yo had to explain was out..

So, one Awol child, one Awol Dad and one kindy teacher pursing her lips frowning at us..

Aside our reputation as parents, which is in shreds, everyone turned up safe and well.. the kindy Awol had a stern talking to about not being where he should be, Dad feels rather sheepish, and I'm dreading parent teacher interviews next week

I wouldn't worry about it too much, leaving kids home alone is a national pastime in CH.

Right- they expect 6 year olds to make it to school on foot alone, they should certainly be OK with an 8 year old at home. Maybe the pursed lips are because the 8yo should have gone to the pharmacy instead of dad .

I always think it's great that they do this.

Your husband did nothing wrong, legally or otherwise. He's got nothing to worry about.

I always leave my kids for short periods of time alone at home, and so does everyone else I know. My sister-in-law in the US was shocked to hear that people do that here.
When my eldest (now 10) was in grade 1, her teacher encouraged this kind of thing (as well as going to the local Volg or bakery alone) to give her more confidence. So I really doubt anyone is going to tell you off. I'm sure the kindergarden teacher could have called you or your husband on your cell phone if she was really worried.