Ateres Elisheva Daycare

Picture cards at sleep time give Ateres Elisheva Daycare a recognisable character: small adjustments to familiar routines were central to its care in November 2023. Based at Beis Menachem in Salford, it has capacity for 13 children, with an age range of 0 to 60 months.

At its 2 November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. The practical appeal lies in the detail: staff gathered information about children's interests from parents, used stories with babies and helped children understand transitions between activities.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, November 2023 examples included exploring size through sandcastle play and practising hand movements with tweezers and autumn objects. Play dough gave older children another way to exercise their hands, while staff encouraged babies learning to walk.

Stories also featured in November 2023: babies sat with their key person, pointed at illustrations and exchanged responses with staff. Group activities involved passing a toy between children, giving them opportunities to practise waiting and taking turns.

The November 2023 inspection identified two teaching weaknesses: rapid questioning left some children too little thinking time to answer, and activities were not always adapted sufficiently for younger or less-able children, sometimes leading them to lose interest. These are specific limitations beneath the overall Good judgement, rather than reasons to overlook the enjoyable activities.

In November 2023, staff used parents' knowledge of their children to shape settling. When some children became upset around sleep, picture cards made the routine easier to understand; children could keep a card beside them as they settled.

Familiar songs signalled tidying time in November 2023, and staff allowed children to finish absorbing activities before moving on. Parents received individual updates about development and suggestions for play at home, including sensory exploration. That gave families practical ways to connect home play with nursery experiences.

Checks of indoor and outdoor spaces formed part of the November 2023 safety arrangements. Staff also received safeguarding training before working with children and understood how to raise welfare concerns.

The address is Beis Menachem, Park Lane, Salford M7 4JD. It opens during term time and closes for school holidays, with opening hours of 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to midday on Friday. The shorter Friday is an important consideration for a working week's childcare arrangements.

In November 2023, the setting provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Thinking time. Rapid questioning was a teaching weakness in November 2023. During a visit, ask how staff now give children time to understand a question and form an answer.
• Activities for younger children. Adaptation was inconsistent in November 2023. Ask how an activity is adjusted so children at different stages can take part.
• Friday arrangements. Friday opening ends at midday, while the other weekdays end at 4pm. Families needing afternoon care on Fridays will need to plan around that difference.

Ateres Elisheva Daycare suits families seeking term-time childcare who can accommodate a midday Friday finish. Its November 2023 care examples show thoughtful attention to settling, sleep and everyday routines. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by concrete questions about children's speaking opportunities and access to activities.