This month we acknowledged Children’s Week, with this year’s theme being “Every child has the right to be heard.” It’s a reminder that every child has the right to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be respected as active members of their community.

This is a philosophy that we live and breathe every day at Gowrie, and our Executive Manager of Early Learning Alison Smith explains that when we prioritise children’s rights, we see them thrive. “When we see children as capable, confident and active participants in their own learning and communities, we foster their ability to take up citizenship of the world and feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully in their lives and that of others,” shares Alison.

We put this philosophy into practice in very tangible ways. For example, our partnerships with community-based organisations provide us with many opportunities to support children as active participants in their learning. Our involvement in Museum Victoria’s 2025 Playbound Festival was a key example of this. The educators were led by the children, who were actively involved in the planning and decision-making of the event, reinforcing the right that every child’s voice should be heard.

This commitment to agency extends to our own internal processes as well. When changes are made to our buildings, children are consulted and involved in the planning and preparation process, such as naming the rooms and having input into the resources and design of shared spaces.

Children’s rights also extend to their safety and wellbeing. At Gowrie, children are at the heart of everything we do, and we ensure their rights are upheld. CEO Karen Weston’s recent article on child safety reinforced our shared responsibility to protect children from harm and ensure their environments are inclusive and empowering.

When we see children’s rights as inseparable from their wellbeing and safety, we create the conditions for every child to flourish—and every voice to matter. For Alison, her many years of experience have solidified her thoughts that “children’s rights are an adult responsibility, and it’s up to us to create spaces where every child can participate, belong and thrive.”

Read more: Children Plan the Playbound Festival at Gowrie at The Harbour

Read more: Through the Peephole: How Children Engaged with a Changing Learning Space

Read more: CEO Karen Weston on Child Safety in Early Childhood Education