To wonder if I should report parent sitting in car with nursery child.

[wellstopdoingitthen]

I live opposite a primary school. There's a mum who collects her nursery child at 11.30 then sits in the car with her until the older children finish at 3pm. She usually sits there with the engine running which is right next to the playground. I'm not sure if I should do anything or if I'm being a busy body.
I know the little one is in there because I did ask the mum to turn off her engine during the really hot weather. I got an earful because apparently she needed it on because it was hot in the car.
Yabu- keep your nose out
Yanbu- you should notify the school/authorities

I'm struggling to see how it's any of your business?

It's illegal?

I wonder if they're in temp housing that they have to leave during the day between certain times. I would tell the school, in case there's anything they can to do offer support - not 'reporting' in the sense of complaining.

If true, then definitely report.

That's very odd.
I live opposite a high school. A woman arrives in a car every day without fail 1.5hrs before school finish time so she can get the only space at the end of the bus lane. I too have gone out and asked her to turn the engine off.

In this case though, could the younger child be napping?

It’s definitely illegal to kee engine running.

such a weird thing to do, too. That’s ages. Poor kid.

Report her to who and for what? The car engine being on? Or do you think it’d neglectful?

And why are you watching them so closely?

Yes it's odd behaviour... but who do you propose you report her to? She's not doing anything illegal.

But it's not ideal for the child's welfare.

I would alert nursery. The child should not be contained in a vehicle from 11.30 to 3pm. There may be a reason why they can't go home.

What?
This is very hard to believe!

I'd speak to the school as a welfare concern. It's not normal or healthy for a young child to sit in a car all day everyday.

How do you know she’s doing this, unless you are also sitting outside the school for 4 hours a day?

The OP lives opposite

Lol not a chance. Not possible to keep a preschooler contained in a car for nearly 4 hours.

I refuse to believe a child this age will remain in a car for this long!!! Do they leave and go for long walks ?? Is the child napping ?? There is more to this story!

Kid in the car for 3 hours every day? Yes that. Would be a welfare concern for me.

Ring social services who the f does that to a child
horrendous

Sounds like a welfare concern to me. Is she scared to go home during the day .does she not have a home to go to etc? I would tell the school but in a safeguarding sense not a reporting her sense as no one would choose to do this for no reason.

Maybe they travel from some distance. Maybe there is a reason. But there is no reason for you to do anything given its none of your business.

I hate people who run cars. For 3.5 hours? Madness. How is she managing to not get bored after all that time. It’s quite concerning. Who is she hiding from?

I am not sure I buy this one. But... If this was to be true then yes in the first instance mention to the school. They can have a chat with the parent and explore any support they may need. A young child sat in a car 17.5 hours a week unstimulated is not ok and needs addressing

Bizarre! Could you invite them into your house now the weathers getting colder?

She might be avoiding an abusive home. Ive done similar

Apart from leaning the engine running what are you going to report her for? It’s not illegal for a child to sit in a car.