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EMCC’s leadership program for senior children

EMCC’s Leadership Program for Senior Children

East Melbourne Childcare Co-op (EMCC) believes that all children have the potential to be leaders. In 2019, we introduced a new leadership program for senior children, the Children’s Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is made up of all four-year-old kindergarten children who are invited to join.

The purpose of the CAC is to support and empower children to participate as active citizens and learners. We consult with the children on a range of topics and projects that affect them, their community, and society as a whole.

To date, the children have consulted on subjects such as:

  •     Menu planning: The children shared their thoughts on what foods they would like to see on the menu. Their opinions were published on the Nutrition Australia website.
  •     National Quality Standards: The children shared their perspective on how EMCC is achieving the National Quality Standards. Their feedback informed our Quality Improvement Plan.
  •     Local amenities: The children shared their thoughts on how the local playground could be improved. Their feedback was sent to the local council.
  •     EMCC Philosophy review: The children shared their thoughts on what EMCC stands for and how we can make it even better. Their feedback was used to update our philosophy statement.
  •     Environmental and humanitarian causes: The children have supported a number of environmental and humanitarian causes, such as the Helping Hands initiative, solar grant projects and waste reduction.

The CAC is a valuable opportunity for children to learn about leadership, civic engagement, and social responsibility. It is also a great way for them to have their voices heard and make a difference in the world.

We are proud of the work that the CAC has done so far, and we look forward to continuing to consult with them on a range of topics in the future.

We aim to engage with children’s voices. By ‘children’s voices’ we refer to children’s expression through speech, visual arts, movement, dance, song, music, photography, drama and language.

In 2009, the Council of Australian Governments launched its National Early Childhood Development Strategy, framed by a vision that “all children have the best start in life to create a better future for themselves and for the nation” (COAG, 2009, p.13). Underscoring this vision is the recognition that:

“Children are important. They bring their own value and influence to the world, as well as being shaped by the world around them…Children are also important for their future contribution to society, as the next generation of leaders, workers, parents, consumers and members of communities…in a global society.”

(COAG, National Early Childhood Development Strategy, 2009, p.7)

At the beginning of the year, all four year old’s are given an invitation to join the group, which they can use to indicate their willingness to be involved. Not all children are involved in every project every time, however there are many opportunities for participation throughout the year.

We require families consent to…

  • Their child’s views and artistic works potentially being provided to outside organisations such as our local council.
  • The use of their child’s photographic image, views and artistic works within the service for display, newsletters etc.

If families do not wish to provide consent, then their child will not be excluded from any activities, however their views will not be recorded for the uses as stated above.

If families do not wish to provide consent, then their child will not be excluded from any activities, however their views will not be recorded for the uses as stated above.

Please refer to the below information detailing key documents supporting this program.

Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (DEEWR, 2009, p.25)

Learning outcome 2 is especially relevant to children’s participation as active citizens and learners: ‘Children are connected with and contribute to their world.’

This outcome includes: ‘Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation’ (DEEWR, 2009, p.26)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

The Rights of the Child recognises that Children’s rights are part and parcel of human rights. Australia ratified these rights in 1991. Article 12, ‘Respect for the views of the child’, is particularly relevant to children’s participation as active citizens and learners:

“When adults are making decision that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account.”

UNICEF’S Framework and Vision for Child Friendly Cities

A ‘child-friendly city’ is committed to the fullest implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It guarantees among other rights, the right of every young citizen to:

  • Influence decisions about their city
  • Express their opinion on the city they want
  • Participate in family, community and social life
  • Be an equal citizen of their city with access to every service, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, income, gender or disability

Reference: Children’s Voices: A principled framework for children and young people’s participation as valued citizens and learners. Pauline Harris and Harry Manatakis

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