Hi, I’m Ifrah Ahmad, the founder of Gigglebean Nursery. My journey in childcare began long before Gigglebean existed. I have always been passionate about creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, confident, and encouraged to be themselves. Over the past 15 years, I have worked as a childcare manager and run another setting in Bradford, supporting children and families from a wide range of backgrounds. These experiences have shaped my belief in the importance of personalised care and in the magic of learning through play.

Gigglebean Nursery was born from my desire to offer something truly special—a warm, flexible, and family-focused setting where every child is treated as an individual. I am deeply committed to creating a space where children can develop at their own pace, build confidence, and reach their full potential. At Gigglebean, children are supported, families are listened to, and every little achievement is celebrated.

At Gigglebean Nursery, we know that no two families are the same. That is why we offer genuinely flexible childcare options, allowing parents to choose hours that suit their lifestyle. We provide government-funded hours and private hourly care, ensuring that families can access the support they need without being locked into rigid sessions.
Our setting is more than just a place to leave your child—it is a vibrant environment where children are encouraged to explore, imagine, and grow. We foster curiosity, confidence, and independence through play-based learning, guided by our experienced and caring team. We aim to make every day engaging, meaningful, and joyful, so that children develop a lifelong love for learning while feeling safe and valued.

The Setting – Two Acres of Adventure
Gigglebean Nursery is set within two acres of outdoor space, giving children the freedom to move, explore, and learn in a natural environment. Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical, emotional, and social development, and our setting has been designed to foster growth, curiosity, and resilience at every stage.
Our grounds include climbing frames, swings, and a trampoline, offering children opportunities to build strength, coordination, and confidence through active play. Forest School Fridays allow children to connect with nature, explore the outdoors in their puddle suits, and develop practical life skills in a fun, hands-on way.
Inside the nursery, classrooms are calm, engaging, and thoughtfully arranged. We use Montessori-inspired resources alongside structured and unstructured activities, blending guided learning with the freedom to explore through curiosity and creativity.
We have five classrooms in total, but to begin with, we will open our large baby room and our preschool room. This phased approach allows families to settle gradually into nursery life while ensuring every child receives the highest standard of care. Our main priority is always the children and families who use our service. As Gigglebean continues to grow, additional classrooms will open for the September term, maintaining the same nurturing and high-quality environment.
Forest School & Outdoor Play
Our Forest School program allows children to immerse themselves in the natural world. During these sessions, children engage in hands-on activities like building dens, exploring nature, creating art from natural materials, hunting for bugs, and participating in supervised campfire experiences. These opportunities foster confidence, resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Forest School also helps children develop a deep, respectful connection with nature, giving them the freedom to explore while learning to assess risks safely.

Meals – Fresh, Homemade Goodness
We believe that healthy, nutritious food plays a vital role in children’s growth and learning. At Gigglebean Nursery, all meals are freshly prepared on-site using wholesome ingredients and served hot.
Children enjoy a balanced routine of meals and snacks to sustain their energy and wellbeing throughout the day. Our menu includes familiar favourites and nutritious options, such as chapattis with curry, chicken pilau, fish fingers with waffles, keema pasta, lentil curry with paratha, and kebabs. Every meal is served with fresh fruit, vegetables, or salad, and drinks are limited to milk or water to support hydration and dental health.
We aim to make mealtimes enjoyable, social, and nourishing, fostering positive relationships with food while giving children the energy to explore, learn, and play.

Kixx Training – Football Fun
In partnership with Kixx Training, we provide weekly on-site football sessions at no extra cost to families. These sessions encourage children to develop physical coordination, teamwork, and confidence in a playful and supportive environment. Football is just one of the ways we foster physical activity, social skills, and fun within our nursery routines.