Play Pals, Tullamore — inspection reports and findings

Sessional · 2 - 6 Years · Tullamore, Offaly · Tusla ID TU2015OY021 · Registered since 1 January 2026

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

The policy in place for Outings did not outline the following – • The measures taken to ensure the safety and welfare of children when on an outing, • risk assessment processes and procedures and how the service will respond to risks, • procedures for supervising and checking children, • details for the management of critical incident on outings i.e. missing child, • first aid measures during outings. The policy on Healthy Eating did not outline the following – • Parents and guardians/choices are supported • How food is safely stored

Provider's corrective action:

The Outings Policy for the service has been updated, and all staff members were provided with the new Policy to review. The Healthy Eating Policy was amended to include Parent/Guardian choices are supported. The policies will be checked regularly and updating accordingly

Infection Control: Perishable food such as ham sandwiches and yoghurts contained in children’s lunches brought in from home were not stored in the fridge. Outing: The registered provider advised that the children participate in outings. Documented risk assessments relating to outings previously undertaken by the service were not in place to support practice and ensure the safety of the children. The registered provider informed the inspector that outings occur to the local primary school and to an indoor activity centre annually with the children. It is acknowledged that parental consent had been recorded for outings for each child in their registration forms. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

Infection Control: A letter was issued to all Parents/Guardians to immediately start sending children’s lunches in clear labelled lunch bags which will be placed into the refrigerator. If Parents forget to place lunches in labelled bags, a reminder will be provided to parents and also we will have clear bags and labels to allow staff to refrigerate the lunch. Cool boxes will be provided to store and carry lunches during outings. Outing: A new outings risk assessment checklist has been put in place for the service. risk assessments will be conducted prior to future outings

(1) (b) An annual maintenance record was not available in respect of the fire fighting equipment. The fire fighting equipment in the premises was last serviced on 31 January 2025

Provider's corrective action:

The fire fighting equipment was serviced, the day after the inspection on 30 April 2026. The service will check for fire cert to be up to date and not rely on the company to always be punctual with their inspections

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 25.

Immediate action notice. An immediate action notice was sent to the registered provider in respect of

Twenty-seven child enrolment records did not have details of immunisations received by the children attending the service. (i) Twenty-eight child enrolment records did not have written parental consent for medical treatment in the event of an emergency

Provider's corrective action:

All parents/carers of the children attending the setting was contacted and asked to produce and send in children’s immunisation passports and all immunisation passports are now on file in the setting. Management have purchased the child record books and this will be prevented from happening in the future as all parents/carers will be given a booklet to have filled out before the child starts preschool and the immunisation consent included in the booklet
Immediately permission slips were written up for parental consent for medical treatment in the event of an emergency and given to all parents, these were signed and returned back to the service and are now on file. This particular parental consent form is included in the child record books purchased and will be given to all parents/carers to sign

The parental information reviewed did not include the required information in respect of Regulation 16(1)(a) to (g). (a) the name, position, qualifications and experience of the person in charge and of every other employee, unpaid worker and contractor. (b) details of the class of service and the age profile of children for which the service is registered to provide services. (c) details of the adult:child ratios in the service. (d) the type of care or programme provided in the service. (e) the facilities available. (f) the opening hours and fees. (g) policies, procedures and statements required to maintain in accordance with Regulation 10

Provider's corrective action:

A complete review and updated information for parents /carers is being done and will be including all information as proposed in Regulation 16 (a) to (g). Complete review and update the information for parents/carers and will be given to each parent before the child attends the setting

General Safety Written parental consent for medical treatment in the event of an emergency was not available for the children enrolled in the service including a child with a defined medical condition. An immediate action notice was sent to the registered provider in respect of Regulation 23 on the 28 January 2025. The response received from the registered provider was accepted. Fire Safety: There was no fire assembly point notice displayed in the outdoor area to indicate where staff and children should assemble in the event of a fire in the premises. Action submitted by the Registered Provider

Provider's corrective action:

General Safety Immediately permission slips were written up for parental consent for medical treatment in the event of an emergency and given to all parents, these were signed and returned back to the service and are now on file. This particular parental consent form is included in the child record books purchased will be given to all parents/carers to sign. Fire Safety: A fire assembly point sign was purchased immediately and erected at the designated point outside the setting. The fire assembly point sign has been permanently erected on the designated assembly point and will be maintained for damage/theft in the future

The first aid box was not stocked in line with TUSLA requirements as outlined in the Quality Regulatory Framework document. • The normal saline solution was out of date. • The burns dressing was out of date. • The medium bandages were out of date

Provider's corrective action:

Management immediately discarded the first aid box that was present on the day and replaced it with one purchased which is fully stocked. Management will regularly check stock and dates of the contents in the first aid box and restock and refill if necessary

Found compliant: Regulation 9, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 28.

Play Pals