Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does my child need a professional referral to go to PALS Preschool?
No they do not, however your child needs to be eligible for the Department of Education's 'Home Tuition Grant Scheme'.
They will also have to have an assessment diagnosing them with Autism Spectrum Disorder and be at least 3 years of age.
How is the school place funded?
The school place is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills 'Home Tuition Grant' which provides 20 hours a week of tuition from the age of 3. Please contact us if you have any questions about funding, we are happy to talk you through the process. Please note the Home Tuition Grant is only available until a suitable primary school place becomes available. Please contact your SENO (Special Education Needs Organiser) for further information about suitable school places for your child.
How many children are in each classroom?
PALS has four classrooms, each of which may cater for six children.
Each classroom has one classroom teacher and 3 tutors. All children receive both 1:1 tuition and also work in group settings.
What time does my child attend PALS Preschool for?
PALS runs 2 sessions throughout the day - from 9am to 1pm and from 1pm - 5pm. Your child will be enrolled in one of these sessions and that will be their class time throughout the year. We will do our best to facilitate parents as to which time suits them best, though this in on a first come basis.
Does my child need to be toilet trained to be enrolled?
No, a child does not need to be toilet trained to be at PALS. We will however, work on getting a child ready for toilet training and we collaborate closely with parents to develop toilet training programmes that are implemented across the school and home settings.
I think my child has language delay/autism, what should I do?
We would recommend that if you have any concerns regarding your child’s development that you see your general practitioner as soon as possible and they will refer you to a specialist who will assess your child. They will be able to direct you to the appropriate resources to help your child.
How do I enroll my child in PALS Preschool?
If you are interested in our service you can contact us at 085 842 5660 or info@palspreschool.ie to answer any queries and discuss your child's needs. We currently operate a waiting list. Once a placement is available you will be contacted and invited to view the school.
Please note we could be busy in class, if there is no answer please leave a message with your name, number, enquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Visiting Us
Within PALS we are happy to facilitate visits from families to come in and view and meet with our management team and our classroom teachers. We also welcome visits from outside professionals such as Psychologists, Health Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists etc. once booked in advance.
COVID-19- Please note due to COVID 19 restrictions, any site visits will depend on current public health guidance.