07/04/2026
~Children's Council~
At Little Mangoes, we believe in the power of inspired young people and the importance of children’s voice, agency, and participation in shaping their environment.
As part of this commitment, we are proud to introduce our very first Children’s Council — an initiative that places children at the heart of decision-making within our service. Through this, children are invited to actively contribute to the governance and daily life of Little Mangoes, particularly in matters that impact them.
Today marked our very first Children’s Council meeting. The children joined Georgia (Centre Director), Mirzi (Assistant Director and Educational Leader), and room leaders Naya, Hafiz, and Ilia, coming together as a collaborative team.
We began by exploring the purpose of the council, co-constructing shared expectations around respectful behaviour and active listening, and introducing the topics for discussion. This supported a strong sense of belonging, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Our discussions focused on two key areas: our upcoming family BBQ and the selection of new outdoor resources. Using a ‘talking cone,’ the children confidently shared their ideas while listening to others, demonstrating growing confidence in expressing their thoughts and valuing different perspectives.
When planning the family event, the children worked together to decide on food options, suggesting sausages, burgers, and cake. They also showed great enthusiasm in contributing further, with plans to bake cupcakes for families to enjoy — fostering a sense of contribution and community connection.
The conversation then shifted to outdoor resources, where children explored images from the MTA catalogue and created collages of their preferred items. Educators engaged in meaningful dialogue with the children, revisiting their choices to ensure their ideas were understood and respected, reinforcing that their voices truly matter.
To celebrate their involvement, each child received a certificate recognising their role in the Children’s Council.
We look forward to continuing this journey alongside our children, as we honour their ideas, support their decision-making, and strengthen their sense of agency and belonging within our community.
We can’t wait for our family day and to see the children’s ideas come to life!
