Our Staff
KCCC employs five full-time and two part-time staff members.
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, where she obtained a First Class Honours Degree in 2000. Julie also holds a 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 which has included: volunteering for Oxfam in India, Simon Community in Galway, and as a Childcare worker for the Traveller community in Cork. Julie has 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. Julie works from the principles of community development and believes everyone has the right to be heard, included and empowered. Julie believes Early Childhood lays the foundations for the rest of the life cycle and is committed to working towards ensuring young children in Kildare receive the best outcomes possible.
Julie is Mother to Aisha, enjoys her job, running, yoga, cooking, gardening, travelling, and music.
Contact Julie on - julie@kccc.ie
Ashling Henderson, Administrator
Ashling has worked in KCCC since 2017. She has over 15 years administration experience and prior to working in Kildare County Childcare Committee she worked in Health Services. Ashling holds a Degree in Business Management, a Certificate in Company Secretarial Law & Practice and a Level 8 Certificate in Data Prot
Contact Ashling on: ashling@kccc.ie
Emily Moore, Development Officer

Emily has worked in KCCC since 2006 and has seen a lot of changes in the sector in that time, her role here in KCCC is Development Officer working with all the childcare services in Kildare to offer support and information to administer the National Childcare Funding programmes on behalf of the DCEDIY and Pobal. A significant element of the role involves the contracting, compliance, Fee policies, PIP/Hive registrations and further support regarding registered Early Years Services to comply with the 2016 Regulations. Emily also offers advice to parents and the general public on a variety of issues relating to the Early Learning and Care sector. Emily's background over many years has been with Community organisations, Communications and Customer Service.
Contact Emily on - emily@kccc.ie
Catherine Colleton, Development Officer

Catherine is Development Officer with Kildare County Childcare Committee, having worked with KCCC since 2019. Catherine has a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and has 10 years’ experience working in the childcare sector, both as a practitioner and in management roles. Catherine also has a QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer Qualification, is a fully qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer and has 12+ years’ experience coaching children’s gymnastics. Catherine’s ‘on the gound’ experience provides her with the knowledge to support and advise service providers, staff and parents within the early years sector.
Catherine enjoys spending time with her family, fitness and music.
Contact Catherine on - catherine@kccc.ie
Amy Dempsey, Development Officer

Amy joined the KCCC team in January 2020 as Development Officer. Amy has a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and an MA in Child, Family and Community Studies. She also holds a QQI Level 6 Training Delivery and Evaluation. Amy has been working in the childcare sector for 12 years, with experience working as a practitioner and also in management positions. She also worked abroad for 4 years in the U.A.E and China as a kindergarten teacher. In her spare time, Amy enjoys travel, cooking and reading.
Contact Amy on - amy@kccc.ie
Jane Beatty, Development Officer
Jane has worked with KCCC since 2016. She has extensive experience in the semi-state and not-for-profit sectors, including NCGE (an agency of the Department of Education and Science), Barnardos, OPEN and Northside Partnership. Having completed the Masters in Child, Family and Community Studies in TU Dublin most recently, Jane also holds a BA(Hons) in History and English, a Higher Diploma in Library and Information Studies and a diploma in Horticulture. Jane's experience includes Information management, editing publications and writing/editing online content. Jane is interested in children's rights, and in working with families and with childcare professionals to ensure the best early care and education for children.
Jane enjoys gardening, being outdoors with her family and travel.
Contact Jane on: jane@kccc.ie
Louise Quinn, Childminding Development Officer

Louise joined the KCCC team in May 2022 working in partnership with childminders and providing opportunities for training, information sessions, local network events, and support for all childminders in Kildare.
Louise has twenty- years’ experience, working in a variety of roles including, Tusla Registered Childminder, QQI tutor for level 5 certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education and as a creche manager. Louise works in collaboration with the National Childminding Development Officers team in implementing the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 at a local level in the county of Kildare.
Louise enjoys Cooking travelling and spending time with her family in her spare time.
Contact Louise on rcmdo@kildarechildcare.ie