Dad still attending playgroup after child started school

[winelover100]

At a local playgroup we go too there's a Dad who turns up every week with no children what so ever. His child left last July as started school in September. I feel very awkward about this and when i asked the playgroup leader she didn't seem bothered.

Thank you for all your comments. 🙌

@winelover100 So assuming this is actually true…

And because I am obsessed with safeguarding where rule number 1 is ‘assume it can happen here’

the organisers have a duty of care so you need to remind them…

… I’d confront the play leader in front of the group before the next sing song:
Hey Linda, while we are all together I’d like you to clarify the rules of attendance. I’ve been coming here three years and in all that time I assumed this was a playgroup for preschoolers to attend along with their parents. But last week you told me it’s actually a drop in centre for any adult who wants to hang out. So could you clarify please and perhaps set out the safeguards you’ve put in place to ensure our children’s safety. We’d all love to know.’

It really is true.

Thank you so much for this advice, this is potentially the way to move forward before speaking to the church. Its so difficult because we never had a problem with this man when he was bringing his daughter. He was always polite and we would have passing conversations. I knew about his line of work but quiet frankly was none of my business how he earnt his money. He was just a dad at playgroup. Fast forward to this year where he's been coming weekly again for a while now, with no children and doesn't talk to anybody bar his friends who come occasionally. It just feels odd.

Again thank you so much for your advice.

The thing is, it’s not just about Only Fans Dave and his lack of social awareness; it’s about who is allowed to hang out at playgroup. Even if he’s a living saint, he poses an inherent risk. Because if he’s permitted, then what rules are in place to prevent anyone else coming in and joining the group? Random strangers? Bored teenagers? Ex-cons from a local half-way house? All of them might need company too, right? Is it just a general community group now? How does that fit with child safeguarding?

personally I’d also be asking about phone use too. It’s one thing to check messages during the session, quite another for people to be glued to their phones doing lord knows what around other people’s very young children and breastfeeding mums.

Do they do really good cake?? Is it homemade, good value???

Odd otherwise

Why on earth did you add that he used to work in the sex industry later on the thread, when that 100% changes the thread?!!

Please see further up. Not intentional. He used to bring his daughter to playgroup and we knew his job no problem.

It is also my first time posting and didn’t expect such a big response

@winelover100 have you actually spoken to someone with your concerns yet?

All this.

This is a safeguarding issue.

The church should have a safeguarding policy and procedures in place. Who is the designated safeguarding lead? Who monitors safeguarding during these playgroup sessions?

The lady you've spoken to who says "we always say people can drop back in to say hello" should be trained in safeguarding as she's working with children. If she has up to date training, she would know that this policy is not acceptable. So what is the status of her safeguarding training?

I would put your concerns in writing to both the leader of the playgroup and the vicar/management committee of the church and request an urgent response.

The whole thing sounds very lax in terms of safeguarding, which is a huge red flag and a major concern. I would not hesitate to raise this immediately.