Creche Inspection Reports

Little Scallywags

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Tullamore, Offaly · Tusla ID TU2015OY046 · Registered since 1 January 2026

An inspection records what inspectors saw on one day; services respond with corrective actions — how to read this.

2published inspections
0non-compliances at latest report read
0immediate action notices
0registration conditions

Inspection of 27 April 2026 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

No non-compliance recorded in this report.

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25, 26, 28.

Inspection of 29 April 2025 — Inspection Report

Full report (PDF, Tusla)

Regulation 9 — Management and recruitment

  • (a) One written and verified past employer references was not available in respect of one adult whose record was reviewed
  • (a) 1. With the exception of the staff signing the policies and procedures for the service there no evidence that service wide training undertaken in any specific policies and procedures. This does not align to the induction policy which states that “overall accountability for staff development and training rests with Management.” 2. There was no evidence that individual staff supervision was completed between the registered provider and each staff member on a regular basis . This does not align to the induction policy which states that “Formal processes – induction, supervision, appraisal and training needs analyses – are used at the individual level and planning for staff development and training is carried out by the Line Managers in consultation with staff members at both individual and team levels.” (b),(c) 3. With the exception of the staff signing a document, there was no evidence of service wide staff training undertaken in t he Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016
Provider's corrective action:
  • (2)(a) The m anagement have located the missing verified reference, and this has been added the staff file . Management will ensure that all staff files are up to date and ready for inspection
  • 1. The management have reviewed and now attached the Induction Policy 2. The management have attached the minutes of the latest staff meeting and going forward will include training as a standing item on the agenda to support learning in the Policies and Procedures. We have added Polices to our Staff development needs / Self Evaluation template in order to keep training up to date. The management will now record the individual staff supervision meetings and appraisals as per our induction policy. Management have sourced an individual support and supervision record template and will use these to record same along with appraisals twice a year instead of yearly. This will be highlighted in our updated induction policy. (b),(c) 3. A copy of the childcare regulations is available on the premises . The staff have completed the e learning QRF training and will ensure to include the Childcare regulations as part of the staff meetings and training

Regulation 10 — Policies, procedures etc. of pre-school service

  • 1. The policy on accident and incidents did not include the following details: • The risk assessment procedures to be taken following an incident/ accident occurring in the service. • The timeline for notification of incidents to be informed to the Early Years Inspectorate. • The address for submitting notification of incidents was incorrect. • The policy included information regarding first aid / emergency care plans /procedures for the management of anaphylaxis which was not relevant to this policy. • The policy did not include the retention period for the records. 2. The Risk Management policy did not include how long the risk management records should be stored for. 3. The critical incident policy did not provide details of the response required in an immediate emergency e.g. missing child
Provider's corrective action:
  • 1. The management have updated the accident and incident policy . The policies and procedures have been updated and will be reviewed before the start of each term 2. The management have updated the risk management policy to include the missing details . The policies and procedures have been updated and will be reviewed before the start of each term 3. The management have updated the critical incident policy . The policy now includes details of the response required in an immediate emergency

Regulation 15 — Record of pre-school child

  • The registered provider did not ensure that a health care plan in writing was available on the day of the inspection in respect of a pre-school child who required the provision of special care and attention. Following the inspection, a written individual care plan was submitted by the registered provider, however there was no evidence that this was completed in partnership with parents as there was no parental signature on the plan. There was no risk assessment completed by the registered provider in respect of a significant risk stated in the written individual care plan
Provider's corrective action:
  • The parents have now signed the care plan and in conjunction with the parents a risk assessment was completed and signed

Regulation 16 — Record in relation to pre-school service

  • The registered provider did not ensure that a completed w ritten record was maintained to record details of any accident, injury or incident involving a child attending the service. A record relating to a recent incident was available on the day of the inspection however it was completed in the first names of the two staff members. It was no t clear if the written accident incident record was shared with the parents as there was no parental signature. This did not align to the Missing Child policy which stated that “an accident/incident form will be completed and appropriately signed.”
Provider's corrective action:
  • The accident and incident form has been fully completed

Regulation 23 — Safeguarding health, safety and welfare of child

  • General Safety: 1. There was no documentary evidence available that a w ritten risk assessment had been completed by the registered provider following a recent incident that occurred. This did not align to the Missing Child policy which stated that “a full and thorough review of procedures and practices will take place to determine how the incident occurred, and changes will be made if appropriate.” 2. The main door at the font of the building continues to be used for entry and exit from the preschool in the absence of a risk assessment completed. The building is located very close to a busy rural road and while there is a perimeter wall, the entrance and exit points to the car park outside the building accommodating Little Scallywags do not have gates or any other barrier . The second door in the care room is located at the rear of the building and would provide a safer option. Action submitted by the Registered Provider
Provider's corrective action:
  • General Safety: 1. The management have reviewed the procedures and practices post the incident to determine how the incident occurred and have made changes to some relevant policies including transitions, incident and accident, Staff Induction and Supervision of children. These changes are highlighted in the documents. 2. The management have reviewed our practices and procedures and established that more care and diligence was required after the morning am session. Children leaving the premises at the home time transition needed to be reviewed and updated to ensure the chil dren’s safety. We have identified that too many children in this area poses a risk and going forward Only One child / siblings will now go to the lobby area supervised by one staff member who will pass them safely onto the authorized person. The remaining staff members will remain in the locked preschool with the rest of the children until they are called to go home

Regulation 31 — Notification of incidents

  • (e) The registered provider did not inform the inspectorate within 3 working days regarding an incident that occurred which required statutory notification to Tusla . The statutory notification was received outside the 3 working days’ time frame
Provider's corrective action:
  • (e) The manager is now aware that the 3 days include the day of the incident

Found compliant: Regulation 11, 24, 27, 28.

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