KinderRijk Children’s Council 2025: Children share their views on respect

On Wednesday 19 November, the annual KinderRijk Children’s Council took place. Twelve children from six different After School Care locations came to our head office to meet with the director and talk about topics they find important.

We started the afternoon with a shared lunch. After a warm welcome, the meeting began with the theme of respect. Beforehand, the children received several questions to think about, such as: What does respect mean to you?, What is the difference between being kind and showing respect?, and Can you show respect without saying anything? The conversations were open, honest and full of surprising insights. The children shared examples from their daily lives and listened closely to one another.

After the discussion, they created their own “respect tile”. On a canvas, they used markers to bring their ideas to life. Each tile is unique and will return with them to their After School Care group, so the conversation can continue there.

To conclude, the children shared tips and tops for their After School Care. We use this feedback to improve our care and make it even more in line with what children find important.

The Children’s Council shows each year how valuable it is to involve children in decision-making. Their insights help us create a place where everyone feels seen.