Excel Kids Day Nursery Romford

Soft-play equipment and park outings give Excel Kids Day Nursery Romford a clear physical-play thread, but its April 2026 findings make safety and support for individual children central to the decision. The setting occupies Unit 11 in The Mercury Mall, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EE, with capacity for 25 children and an age range of 0 to 60 months.

At its April 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding standards met and behaviour, attitudes and routines at Expected standard, while achievement, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance each received Needs attention.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: the day should connect play, communication and practical skills with children's individual development. In April 2026, babies joined songs and familiar rhymes with sounds and actions, while children explored mathematical ideas through dough, including halves.

Physical activity was a recognisable part of that month's nursery day. Children used the soft-play area to practise crawling, climbing and balance. Park outings brought opportunities to collect daisies, compare quantities and explore a large tunnel. These are concrete examples of movement and early learning sharing an activity, rather than separate lessons.

At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that risk assessment remained ineffective despite action after an incident, SEND support and relationships with peers were inconsistent, assessment did not sufficiently shape planning, language development and problem-solving opportunities were limited, babies had too few planned sensory experiences, and staff development and SEND leadership training needed strengthening.

In April 2026, babies sought comfort from familiar adults, and their sleeping arrangements supported safe care. Staff discussed emotions with children and encouraged sharing, turn-taking and independence with coats and handwashing. Observations and tracking informed individual targets agreed with families and external professionals; the concern was how consistently those targets reached everyday practice.

Food that month included healthy meals, snacks and fresh fruit. On outings, staff reminded children to drink water after active play.

The address is Unit 11, The Mercury Mall, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EE. Opening hours are 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and the nursery opens across the year.

The April 2026 actions carried a deadline of 22 May 2026: improve risk assessment, targeted SEND support and staff training that strengthens education across developmental areas. That deadline is past; it should be read alongside the dated findings rather than as a future improvement timetable.

• Risk management. April 2026 findings identified weaknesses after an incident. Ask what changes now help staff identify and manage hazards during everyday activities.
• Targeted support. Individual targets were agreed with families and professionals, but implementation was inconsistent in April 2026. A useful visit question is how a child's targets become daily activities and supported interaction with other children.
• Attendance arrangements. The opening window spans 7am to 7pm. Which booking pattern would fit your child's routine within those hours?

Excel Kids suits consideration by families seeking a Romford setting with a broad weekday opening window and an inspection-era emphasis on physical play. The soft-play area and park outings give that offer substance. However, the April 2026 concerns about risk management, teaching and SEND support carry substantial weight: choosing it requires a clear account of how those weaknesses have been addressed.