Are you "allowed" to talk to child outside school gates?

[Macbeth8]

Bit of a "should I have" moment

Day off and I always have the toddler- she doesnt go to any nursery or preschool yet.
She has gotten used to her big sis being home for the summer and seems lost without her. Bless
Before summer my 4 year old would only do 4 days at nurseryso we always had one day off all together
Shes just started Primary. And today I took toddler out to cheer her up, to cafe and the library which so happens to be near dd1s school so decided to have a walk past with no idea if it was their play out time!
Anyway it so happens it was! And dd1 was out with her friends n spotted us. They came running to the gate and wanted to talk. Dd2 had some blackberries in her hand and dd1&her mates all asked if they could have one
I just gave them 1 each n told them to go back&play. Just as I walked by, another parent who also has a son in my dds class walked past too - she gave me a really annoyed, angry look..I said hi (because recognised her) but didn't look happy at all! I think she had just pulled up and saw me hand those blackberries to them!
Im really distressed now worrying she might have reported me or tell the other mums!
Ive not seen any rules stating you arent allowed to do this? Was I wrong? I feel like an idiot now.

You're all pretty easily amused...

I'd be livid if some stranger was hanging around the school gates giving things to kids - that's how it looks to a bystander.

I know, I didn't realise such fun could be had at the school gate.

A wave while passing is acceptable.

A close chat with your DC is not - passing food is extremely unacceptable.

Once it becomes acceptable for adults to hang around the fence chatting to DC it is opening up a unnecessary risk.

When my son was 4 and in nursery, he came home and told me he spoke to a stranger through the school gate and they were exchanging presents. I was really concerned and spoke to the teacher. Turns out he was chosen to help pass the Operation Christmas Child boxes to the people collecting in a van. Took the school the day to work out what happened. 😂

If I saw someone talking to children at the school gates, especially someone with another child, I would assume parent.

Jesus that's even worse! Operation Christmas Child is run by some truly objectionable people.

Definitely not OK to be giving food. Children are not allowed to share food at school and I’m surprised you thought this was ok.

This ⬆️

Not something to be encouraged. You might be fine but there night be some random relative who tries it who wishes harm.

Our reception learning area is right in the middle of the through road to the high street so we frequently see parents. I often tell children to give mummy a wave and continue their learning, but there is a downside. We have had several times in the past where we have to essentially remove children quickly and lock the doors if a parent who is not allowed tries to speak to a child. Ultimately, we are told to distract children because we don't want them talking to adults outside the fence.

Some of the responses on here have been ridiculous

You’ve changed your tune 😂