Excel Kids: The Heartwarming Nursery Transforming Children’s Lives at The Mercury In Romford

A nursery like no other – where every child is welcomed, every need is met, and every milestone is celebrated.

Excel Kids, nestled on the first floor of the Mercury Mall in Romford, is a shining example of what early years education should be. Once a soft play area, it was lovingly transformed in February 2023 into a nursery dedicated to the all-round development and well-being of its children.

At the heart of this transformation is Latifa, a former social worker with a passion for safeguarding and supporting families. Upon taking over the space, Latifa made the compassionate decision to retain the existing staff — many of whom already knew the local families well — and invested in their training so that every team member could become fully nursery qualified.

“The staff at the venue knew all the parents and families of our children. It was important for us to develop on that and not only keep our ladies but give them all additional training,” Latifa told The Havering Daily.

Excel Kids is proudly partnered with Havering Council and delivers the Government’s 30 hours of free childcare for working parents — available for children aged nine months to three years.

This nursery goes far beyond education. It’s a place where no child is ever left behind. Each child receives three nutritious meals a day — breakfast, a hot lunch, and dinner — all tailored to meet religious and dietary needs.

“Every child deserves to eat properly. We cater for all religious needs and those who do not have English as a first language. Every child is supported here.”

During our visit, the atmosphere was warm, cheerful and full of energy. Children were smiling and engaged, happily chatting with staff while enjoying their lunch. A soft play area welcomes new arrivals each day, and there’s even a peaceful nap space for little ones needing a break.

Outdoors, the nursery embraces nature and fresh air. Children venture out daily to nearby parks and green spaces, all carefully risk-assessed to ensure safety and exploration go hand in hand.

Latifa’s strong background in social work means that safeguarding is one of the nursery’s top priorities.

“All families are welcome here — it doesn’t matter where they’ve come from. Our uniqueness is that we open our arms to all children, regardless of their background.”

To help keep parents and carers informed, Excel Kids uses an app that shares real-time updates, photos and special “Wow Moments” of each child’s day. The team ensures all children are meeting key developmental milestones in preparation for primary school and even hosts special graduation ceremonies when it’s time for them to move on.

Excel Kids was recognised once again by Ofsted in its latest inspection on 26 November 2024, receiving a ‘Good’ rating across all categories — including education quality, behaviour, personal development and leadership. The report highlights the centre’s consistent dedication to high standards, offering reassurance to parents and reinforcing its reputation as one of Romford’s trusted childcare providers.

“We make sure that our children have met all the necessary skills before going to school,” Latifa proudly explains.

Excel Kids is more than a nursery — it’s a lifeline for working families, a warm community hub, and a place where children thrive. Under Latifa’s exceptional leadership, Havering is lucky to have such an inspiring resource putting children’s welfare first every single day.

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