Do you want the exact same children in the logo with variations on them? Or do you allow for different children, or different clothes. I see that this is an established logo, you are looking for the same with some flair or different illustration styles?
Let me know if these inspire any other options. I will be happy to do more for you.
It is an established logo, yeah. So like you said, I'm looking for basically the same characters but with some flair or a fresh take on them. But the current logo has to be distinguishable in any new entry. Take a look at the other entries (specially the ones I ranked high) to give you an idea of what I like.
Your entry #2 I like best among your 3 entries. I really like the pastel colors you picked. Can you do something about the black lines in the characters' hairs, to soften them up a bit? Maybe with some shading or something? To soften the contrast between black and yellow.
Also, any ideas to improve the typography you used in the emblem?
Thanks a lot for your entries and for having taken the time to message me for more details. Looking forward to your revisions :)