About Us
Julieann Hickey
Co-ordinator/Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Julie joined the team in 2007 as Information Officer/Administrator. In 2009 she completed Equality and Diversity Train the Trainer (TOT) course. In 2016 following some internal restructuring she was promoted to the role of Development Officer.
In recent times she completed further TOT programmes in Child protection and Diversity Equality and Inclusion. She has also completed Siolta mentor training. Julie has a BA (Hons) In Early Childhood Studies and is currently studying for the MA in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education.
Julie has a particular interest in diversity and equality issues, and has undertaken further training in the anti-bias approach. She has a particular affinity for working with children under 3.
Aisling Heffernan
Childcare Development Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Aisling joined the team in 2016 as a temporary admin assistant and in 2017 was appointed Information Officer/Administrator. She ran her own ECCE service for three years prior to taking up employment with Kilkenny CCC.
Aisling has a B.A. (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education. Aisling has a flair for creativity and has a particular interest in children’s creative expression through art.
Mags Hayes
Childcare Development Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Mags joined the team in 2022 as Information Officer and was then appointed as a Development Officer later in the year. She has many years’ experience working in the Early Years Sector; working in both educator and managerial roles.
Mags has a B.A. (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education and more recently has completed her MA in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education. Mags also has a great interest in outdoor learning and the promotion of the use of the outdoor environments in early years settings.
Rachael Ryan
Childminding Development Officer
Rachael joined the KKCCC team in 2019, as a Childminding Development Officer.
Rachael holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education and subsequently has over 10 years’ experience working in the Early Years sector. In 2015, Rachael obtained a PG Diploma in Teaching in Further Education and worked as a tutor on the Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme. Rachael previously worked with Tipperary ETB delivering on Level 5/6 Early Childhood and Care Education programmes.
Rachael holds a certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills and is currently undergoing her second year of a four-year MA in Creative Psychotherapy, nourishing her keen interest in Play Therapy, the role of play in children’s learning and development with particular emphasis on children’s emotional well-being and inclusive practices.
Rachael’s role as Childminding Development Officer involves offering support, guidance and training opportunities to new and existing childminders locally in Kilkenny.
Emma Hayden
Information Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Emma joined the team in November 2022, after managing a community preschool for 5 years. Emma has almost 20 years experience in various early years roles, including 4 years working in Australia. Emma has a passion for play based practice.
Robyn O Keeffe
Childcare Development Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Robyn joined the team in October 2023 as Information Officer and has recently been appointed as Childcare Development Officer. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and has over 10 years experience working in the Early Years sector in both Ireland and Australia.
Robyn has a particular passion for inclusion in the early years.
