Is this child being abused?

[DDDN]

This is more or a WWYD but posting for traffic…

I was doing nursery drop off today and saw this mom with twins (3-4 year old) First time seeing her there so maybe new? She said ‘I should slap you for this…lets go’ to one of the children. First part in foreign speech (I speak this language too) and ‘lets go’ in English. I believe the child left something…I was in the corridor fixing my child kids’ coat in direct view of the doorway they were standing at (6 meters away from them). Not sure what to do or even if anything should be done??? I do not want to get involved in other moms business but can’t get the image of the child out of my brain…he was just looking up at her frozen. I feel like she said it to my child…I know that sounds crazy. I did say to her ‘be careful what you say. You might get reported in the language we both speak. She said ‘ok thanks ‘- totally unperturbed.

Mind your F business and move on? Or
Don’t be stupid - tell staff!

I don’t want to cause issues for anybody…I mean some people can say violent things and not actually action them…wish I never over heard this.

I think each school etc use a different system but the one I've had most experience with is CPOMS.

The nursery can keep an eye. It's just a part of a bigger picture. Think how many children died because the adults didn't connect the dots (or there were no dots to connect). Safeguarding children should be everyone's business. Abused children often grow up into abusers themselves, sadly

As many have said, telling the nursery doesn’t mean anything will happen. The child will likely not be taken away (unless this is one piece of a bigger puzzle). However, it’s always worth noting anything you believe may put a child at risk. Very, very sadly, smacking is not illegal in England, however leaving a mark is. So, I would definitely report so the nursery are informed and can follow their safeguarding policy accordingly, as well as keeping a record if needed in the future.

There's no 'mom loyalty' in the face of child abuse. I don't think the kid would be taken away immediately but I know I wouldn't be able to rest until I'd known I'd made mandatory reporters aware. I sure as shit wouldn't be questioning whether I owed this woman some kind of loyalty.

You don't think it's telling she said the abusive stuff in the language not spoken by staff? And jfc slapping a kids face in a harsh manner is most definitely assault. You're trying to downplay it but you clearly thought the kid was terrified.

And for everyone who thinks smacking kids is okay - if you'd forgotten something would you accept your loved one threatening to slap your face for doing so? Why do you think it's acceptable for an adult, in a position of trust and power to do this to a pre-schooler? OP admits the kid wasn't being obstructive but had lost something.

Maybe she hurts the child at home behind closed doors.it must be reported.