It seems to be the norm around my area for the youngsters to play out. Most of them are about 5, they wonder about and sometimes venture into my garden when mine are out on their trampoline, their parents don't seem to mind so I leave them too it mostly.
However one is only about 3, usually she's out with her older sister (5yo) and the other kids. However on a few occasions she's appeared in my garden on her own when the others are at school. Often with no shoes/unsuitable clothing for the weather/just a nappy or clothes that she's wet. The other day she came about 11... was still here when I was giving my children lunch and with no sign of an adult looking for her so I gave her some lunch too (was that wrong?) Eventually she left about 130 and a little while later I heard a male calling her. She came back about half an hour later (with a clean pair of trousers on and some bubbles) and stayed till about just gone 3 when her sister would be due home from school.
What would you do? If anything? I don't feel able to 'send her home' in case she just ends up wandering around on her own, I don't know her parents but have a vague idea where she lives but couldn't go round as I was looking after 2 4yo's, a 3yo, 1yo, and 3 month old! Plus what would I say? I did ring social services for advice, they wanted me to call the police! I know someone who works at the older child's school and they have no concerns their end. Am I wrong to give her food/drinks/let her stay and play? Should I report anything or just butt out? I don't think the parents are unkind, but personally I think she is being made vulnerable through this lack of supervision. I definitely don't want to call the police on them! What would you do? Someone else suggested I mention it to the health visitor?