Julie McNamara, CEO

Julie McNamara is the CEO of Kildare County Childcare Committee, where she has worked since 2004. Julie is a UCC graduate of the first BA in Early Childhood Studies degree in Ireland, achieving First Class Honours in 2000. Julie also holds an M.Soc.Sc. in Youth and Community Work and a Diploma in Community Leadership.

Julie has worked in the community and voluntary sector since the age of 17. Her experience includes volunteering for Oxfam in India and the Simon Community in Galway, as well as working as a childcare worker with the Traveller community in Cork. Julie has also worked in the area of disability and coordinated a project for young men at risk in Mallow, Co. Cork, prior to returning to Kildare to take up her position with KCCC.

Julie is passionate about working for young children and families and values the rights of the child. She works from the principles of community development and believes that everyone has the right to be heard, included and empowered. Julie believes that early childhood lays the foundations for the rest of the life cycle and is committed to working towards ensuring that young children in Kildare receive the best outcomes possible.

Julie is a mother to Aisha and enjoys her job, running, yoga, cooking, gardening, travelling and music.

Contact Julie at julie.mcnamara@kccc.ie

Debbie Mullen, Operations Team Leader

Debbie Mullen is the Acting Operations Team Leader at Kildare County Childcare Committee, providing strong leadership and support to her team. She fosters a collaborative environment that empowers team members and ensures the smooth operation of programmes and services. With a strong focus on operational logistics, stakeholder support and data management, Debbie champions best practice to uphold high standards across the organisation.

Previously, Debbie served as a Project Manager within Kildare County Childcare Committee, where she supported her team in creating play-rich experiences in emergency accommodation centres. Her work focused on nurturing children’s curiosity and encouraging exploration, with children’s voices and families’ perspectives always at the core.

With over 30 years of experience in early childhood pedagogy, community development and project management, Debbie’s background as a lecturer and early years service owner strongly informs her leadership. She holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Provision for Children and Families, along with multiple qualifications in leadership, nursery management and early years pedagogy.

Debbie’s ongoing professional development includes trauma-informed practices, infant mental health and Universal Design for Learning, equipping her to develop inclusive and engaging initiatives. As a passionate advocate for children’s rights and inclusive practice, she strives to create nurturing environments where children thrive and where families, educators and service providers are empowered.

Contact Debbie at debbie.mullen@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 086 8248756

Emily Moore, Development Officer

Emily has worked with KCCC since 2006 and has seen significant changes in the sector during that time. In her role as Development Officer, Emily works with childcare services throughout Kildare, providing support and information on the administration of National Childcare Funding programmes on behalf of the DCEDIY and Pobal.

A significant element of her role involves contracting, compliance, fee policies, PIP/Hive registrations and supporting registered Early Years Services in complying with the 2016 Regulations.

Emily also provides advice to parents and the general public on a variety of issues relating to the Early Learning and Care sector. Her professional background includes many years working with community organisations, communications and customer service.

Contact Emily at emily.moore@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 06 824 8487

Barbara Alessandrini, Development Officer

Barbara joined the KCCC team in October 2023 as Childminding Development Officer and moved to the Development Officers team in May 2025.

She holds a B.Ed. in English, a Higher Diploma in Montessori (SNMI), a Master of Philosophy in Comparative Literature (TDC) and a Master’s in Education Studies (ECEC). Barbara is passionate about high-quality, inclusive practice in ECEC and has completed further training in Autism Studies (UCC) and Leadership for Inclusion (LINC), the latter earning her the Best Overall Portfolio Award from Early Childhood Ireland.

Barbara’s experience in development is built upon ESOL teaching at primary, post-primary and further education levels, along with 15 years’ experience as an educator and pedagogical leader in the ECEC sector. She also brings additional skills in marketing, digital media and content development.

Barbara is interested in policy, inclusion and curriculum development to support high-quality, inclusive childcare and education practices across a variety of settings.

Contact Barbara at barbara.alessandrini@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 086 824 8373

Amy Dempsey, Development Officer

Amy joined the KCCC team in January 2020 as a Development Officer. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and an MA in Child, Family and Community Studies. She also holds a QQI Level 6 qualification in Training Delivery and Evaluation.

Amy has worked in the childcare sector for 12 years, with experience as both a practitioner and in management positions. She also spent four years working abroad in the UAE and China as a kindergarten teacher.

In her spare time, Amy enjoys travelling, cooking and reading.

Contact Amy at amy.dempsey@kccc.ie

Kateryna Zinovyeva (Ukraine), Early Years Play and Information Officer, Early Years Initiative Team

Kateryna joined Kildare County Childcare Committee (KCCC) as an Information Officer in July 2023. Originally from Ukraine, she brings a strong personal and professional understanding of the importance of quality childhood experiences, with a particular interest in ensuring high standards in childcare.

A mother of five, Kateryna is passionate about supporting families and young children. In her role, she provides tailored information and guidance on childcare services to Ukrainian families in the county, offering support in their native language. She also helps to create meaningful play opportunities for children living in Emergency Accommodation Centres.

Kateryna holds qualifications in both Childcare and Business and brings over seven years of experience as an interpreter and translator.

Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, walking and travelling.

Contact Kateryna at kateryna.zinovyeva@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 087 4784396

Elaine Bowden, Development Officer

Elaine joined the team in October 2023. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years Education and Care and has 20 years’ experience in the early years sector, working as an Educator, Supervisor, Manager and currently as a Development Officer.

Over her extensive career, Elaine has witnessed significant developments in the sector, including the implementation of the ECCE programme, the introduction of Aistear, Síolta and AIM, as well as the rollout of Core Funding.

Elaine has a wealth of knowledge in high-quality, inclusive early years practice, and her hands-on experience enables her to offer valuable insights and guidance to service providers, staff and parents. As a Development Officer, Elaine supports services with quality development, working alongside them to enhance their environments and create inclusive spaces that meet the needs of all children.

She also supports services in developing and implementing an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum that balances child-led and adult-initiated play. In this work, she ensures that the reflective cycle is embedded throughout, supporting ongoing quality development and inclusive practice within the sector.

Elaine can visit services and provide tailored quality development supports, working in close partnership with teams and offering practical, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen inclusive practice and curriculum development.

Whether it is reimagining learning environments, fine-tuning policies or supporting reflective practice, Elaine brings her experience and insights directly to services, helping them to create and sustain high-quality, inclusive learning spaces for all children.

Contact Elaine at elaine.bowden@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 086 824 8543

Lorraine Jennings, Clerical Officer

Lorraine joined the KCCC team in August 2025. She brings over 25 years of experience working in the childcare and education sector, both as an educator and as an Assistant Manager of full-day private childcare services.

Lorraine holds a CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing and is committed to lifelong learning, regularly updating her skills through CPD courses in the sector, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) programme.

Outside of work, Lorraine enjoys gardening, cooking and walking.

Contact Lorraine at lorraine.jennings@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307

Elaine Graydon, Childminding Development Officer

Elaine joined the KCCC team in August 2025. She obtained First Class Honours in her BA Early Childhood Teaching and Learning degree from Maynooth University and, as a lifelong learner, has completed a number of other qualifications, including the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years Programme (LINC), QQI Level 6 in Childcare and an NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing.

Elaine has worked in early years for nearly 30 years. Her roles have included working as a childminder while her own two children were young, as well as working as an educator and manager in both private and community services.

Elaine has worked in early years since before the sector was regulated and has witnessed significant changes over that time. She values inclusion and the availability of different types of childcare to meet the needs of parents and growing families. Elaine believes that play is a fundamental right for all children and an important means through which children can express themselves. She also loves the outdoors and nature and the endless possibilities they provide for children.

In her spare time, Elaine enjoys walking, reading, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Contact Elaine at elaine.graydon@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 087 1677496

Brenda Jordan, Project Coordinator, Early Years Initiative (EYI) Team

Brenda joined Kildare County Childcare Committee (KCCC) in January 2026 as Project Coordinator with the Early Years Initiative (EYI) Team. She brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood provision, having established a pre-school in 1996, which she owned and managed while working directly with children throughout her career.

Brenda has also worked with Dublin City University (DCU), supervising and supporting students on professional placement, and as a part-time lecturer on the Early Years Education programme at Technological University Dublin.

With a strong professional ethos centred on the importance of play, Brenda is a passionate advocate for high-quality, play-based learning that supports children’s development, wellbeing and voice. Her extensive hands-on experience across all areas of early years provision strongly informs her work in project coordination and sector support.

A long-standing advocate for the early years sector, Brenda has consistently worked to promote best practice, quality improvement and recognition of the vital role of early childhood education and care. She has actively pursued continual professional development and academic advancement. Brenda holds a Degree in Early Years Care and Education and graduated with a Master of Education in Early Years Education from Dublin City University in 2023.

Brenda believes in strong, empowering leadership and works tirelessly to improve practices, systems and outcomes across every area in which she is involved. She is deeply committed to supporting children, families and early years professionals, with the guiding principle of leaving every role she undertakes better than she found it.

Contact Brenda at brenda.jordan@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861 307 – Mob: 087 490 7273

Kerli Karik-Guilfoyle, Play and Information Officer, Early Years Initiative Team

Kerli joined KCCC’s Early Years Initiative Team in January 2026. Her role focuses on providing inclusive play opportunities for children in emergency and homeless accommodation and supporting parents with information on national childcare schemes and available childcare options.

Kerli obtained a Level 8 Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Practice from SETU Carlow in June 2026, achieving First Class Honours. She previously obtained a Level 7 Ordinary Degree with Distinction in 2025, along with QQI Level 5 and Level 6 qualifications in Early Childhood Care and Education, both achieved with Distinction.

Kerli has nine years of experience in early years settings, progressing from relief staff to assistant manager, as well as over 19 years of experience in customer service and administrative roles. This experience has strengthened her communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

She is passionate about children’s rights, inclusion and community engagement and is committed to supporting families experiencing vulnerability through respectful, inclusive and trauma-informed practice.

In her free time, Kerli enjoys reading, baking and spending time outdoors with family and friends through walking, hiking and cycling.

Contact Kerli at Kerli.Karik-Guilfoyle@kccc.ie or Phone: 045 861307 – Mob: 086 8248763