In tonight's TV Land rerun, "Beaver's Prize", Beaver is left alone during the day when he's being punished, since Ward & June leave to see friends of theirs out of town, and June tells Wally to be home by 5, meaning that it was ok to leave Beaver at home alone at his age, which I would think is about 10 at the time (3rd season). 2 years later Ward & June wouldn't leave Beaver home w/o a babysitter (5th season's "No Time for Babysitters"). Was it because it was at night or just an inconsistency here? Any thoughts here?

I, too, have noticed the very same inconsistency, jehobden.

It seems there are numerous episodes wherein Ward & June couldn't care less where Beaver is (and Wally too). But in other episodes, the apron-strings are quite short, such as the Baby-Sitter episode you eluded to.

Another oddity, IMO, occurs in the early-season episode when Wally joins to Boy Scouts, and Beaver goes along. It's a stormy and windy night, and Beaver walks home by himself, without so much as the parents raising an eyebrow out of concern for little 8-year-old Beav out on the dark streets, alone, in very bad weather.

Oh, well, just a nitpick I suppose. I still enjoy every episode....inconsistencies and all. :)