Winnie's Adventures

My name is Shivani Suralia, founder of Winnie’s Adventures alongside co-founder Parag Suralia. Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, whilst I was still at school, I had the opportunity to embark on new adventure where I completed work experience in a nursery. From that moment, I knew early years education was my passion. I continued my studies to build my knowledge, skills, and understanding of child development. Since then, I have never looked back. Supporting children, helping them grow, and making a positive difference in their lives has always been at the heart of everything I do.

I completed my BA honours in Early Childhood Studies in 2009, and hold a diploma in Counselling children and Adolescents. I stepped into the childcare industry in 2009 and since worked across a wide range of settings, including large chain nurseries, independent nurseries, social enterprises, and charity organizations. Over the past 15 years, I have gained extensive experience within reputable early years settings, with more than 10 years spent in management roles leading teams and supporting high-quality childcare provision.

In 2026, I made the bold decision to leave nursery management and begin my journey as a childminder. Over the years, I began to feel that the true care element within larger nursery settings was slowly being lost due to increasing numbers, pressures, and demands. Children were at risk of becoming just another number, and the simple joy, creativity, and magic of childhood learning was beginning to fade.

Childminding brought me back to what childcare should truly be about - love, warmth, nurturing relationships, and individual care. I love that childminding allows children to grow and learn within a warm, comforting home environment where they feel safe, valued, and genuinely cared for. It also enables me to provide flexible, supportive childcare for working families, building strong partnerships with parents while ensuring every child receives the attention, encouragement, and emotional security they deserve.

At Winnie's Adventures, I believe the early years are the most important foundation of a child’s life. Above all else, children need love, care, fun, and a sense of belonging - and that is exactly the environment I aim to create every single day.

A story opens the mind and takes children into worlds beyond imagination. At Winnie's Adventures, we bring stories to life by creating innovative and exciting adventures inspired by each individual book. Through fun, hands-on, and meaningful experiences, we make learning memorable, engaging, and full of wonder.

Planning at Winnie's Adventures is a balance between adult-led and child-led activities. We believe children are our teachers — they guide us towards their interests and what they are curious to learn about. For example, if children develop an interest in dinosaurs, we use this as an opportunity to extend their learning through creative experiences, play, and exploration.

Our role as educators is to act as facilitators, scaffolding children's learning and supporting them in areas where they may need encouragement or further development. Learning is never rushed or treated as a checklist. We do not believe a child has mastered a skill simply because they have completed it once. Instead, children are given the time, space, and opportunities to explore, practise, and build confidence until they truly master and enjoy the learning experience.

Planning will be shared with parents so they can understand what is being planned for their child and how learning can be continued or extended at home. By working collaboratively together, parents and educators can support children's development more effectively, helping them grow in confidence and achieve their full potential at their own pace.