No the couple as childless.
it was left as we’ll be in touch, presumably as it was a Friday.
they called back yesterday, asked if they could come today. They haven’t spoken to the school nor my kids. They came as dh and I can wfh. Didn’t ask to look in cupboard but did ask about the allegations.
asked what we have for breakfast lunch and dinner. I explained, we offer food, have safe foods at each meal but we don’t make alternatives or kid meals, although we do have fish fingers and oven chips here and there but I do try and get the ‘cleanest’ version ie just cod breadcrumbs and salt and pots oil and salt. She asked for typical breakfast: cereal and fruit, eggs toast and fruit, crepes fruit and Nutella is a treat breakfast once a week, porridge and fruit. Asked for lunch: said school lunch 5 days a week or we might have toasties and veg sticks and fruit, or pizza muffins, jackets etc something relatively quick. Dinners: stir fry’s, roast, lasagna, pie and mash, pasta etc, same for snacks.
asked if my child was underweight and I said no, but she is slight, showed photos she asked for the red book but it’s not up to date. Asked if they get weighed in school and I said no because I don’t think it’s helpful. Discussion on that. And we monitor growth at home in a neutral environment. Confirmed weight and height for both, again pictures.
never leaving the home: well I said they’re in school, and frankly we both have work and work FT so don’t have the option of casually not sending them. Followed up by talking about their clubs and the various badges etc they’ve got from them. Bit of proof there. She did ask about holidays, and I was a bit short here because I don’t think that’s any of the state’s business. But told her we’ve had 2 hols this year and another planned and last year we did 4, year before 4, year before 2, then pandemic.
clothes: well she didn’t really ask about that because there was a big pile of folded laundry on the dining table and kids coats, and shoes in the hall and hats etc in the hall. So can easily see weather appropriate clothes.
she asked if they get on: we were honest and said it depends, sometimes they do but other times they bicker and wind each other up and get jealous
she asked how I’d feel about her speaking to my kids and I said tbh not good because I think it would frighten them but if you feel you need to you can, she said she wouldn’t on that basis
asked about attendance: said didn’t know but dug out my eldests reception attendance which was 95%. And that was due to taking her out when she was under 5 for a holiday. She didn’t say anything on that. Then about how they’re doing and showed reports which show school/ nursery saying they are happy children, who talk about family at school. Showed pictures art work, comments from parents evening. Awards won in school.
Apparently the neighbours mentioned about unsafe car seats too, we just showed her. She did query why my eldest is still rear facing but accepted what I said about safety.
had a brief look in the house, kids bedrooms
and then said we’ll be in touch.
i asked were the neighbours pressed on all the things they said like how the know it and no they weren’t. Apparently though they did want to be kept informed of the investigation and any steps they take because they are gravely concerned.
it was an odd experience and we were definitely treated more neutrally rather than ‘trying to help’ , there wasn’t any positive affirmations or anything rather oh yes sounds ok, sounds fine, or ok and then next question a bit like being interviewed rather than a conversation