If you mean you sit next to the pool and glance over every once in a while...as soon as they are very good swimmers. There's no age that I would put on this as every child is different. When I was young I was a VERY good swimmer and got all kinds of swimming certificates. That gave my parents the confidence to trust my skills and let me go to the public pool by myself - but of course there was a lifeguard there. So if you will still be next to the pool there's no reason not to trust your competent swimmer. Just make sure you have an eye on them. When you talk leaving them completely alone in a pool and nobody watches them: never. Ever. Ever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meaning you keep an eye on them, but are not in the pool too or beside it, but you can see them from where you are.

So you mean, at what age would you let your child swim in your home pool (no life guard) while not actively watching them, maybe sitting by the side of the deck, but reading a magazine instead of being right there, watching?

Yes, exactly.

-OP

But the question seems to be, without an adult attentively sitting right at the edge of the pool. I.e. someone there poolside, but reading a book.

Anonymous wrote:No one, no matter how good a swimmer should be left to swim in a pool unattended.

+1. That is a universal rule in swimming. Even the best swimmer should not swim alone. You could hit your head or another medical emergency and could drown if no one is there to notice and render aid.

Anonymous wrote:Meaning you keep an eye on them, but are not in the pool too or beside it, but you can see them from where you are.

So you mean, at what age would you let your child swim in your home pool (no life guard) while not actively watching them, maybe sitting by the side of the deck, but reading a magazine instead of being right there, watching?