Wicklow Childcare Committee Staff

The staff provide advice and assistance to existing and potential Childcare providers, to Childminders and those thinking of Childminding, and to parents, on all childcare issues for children between the ages of 0 and 14.

Adrienne Slater

Acting County Childcare Manager

Adrienne became the Acting County Childcare Manager in September 2023 and previously was Development Officer for East Wicklow since March 2017, having worked with WCCC on a number of projects including analysing ECCE capacity and mentoring community childcare services in Bray as part of the SPECS project. Adrienne brings more than a decade experience as an early year’s educator and manager in various settings. She has completed a BA Honours Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education and an MA in Child, Youth and Family Studies through IT Carlow. Since joining the WCCC she completed a Level 9 MA certificate in Teaching and Learning. Adrienne is also a qualified trainer in the areas of Children First child protection training and Equality Diversity and Inclusion training. She also lectures on the Early Years degree course and the MA in Leadership in Early Years Education from South East Technological University.

Telephone: 0404 64455 / 086-0818479

adrienne@wccc.ie

Jane McNulty

Programme & Finance Officer

Jane McNulty is responsible for all aspects of financial management, compliance and monitoring within the Wicklow County Childcare Committee. Jane has worked extensively throughout the UK and most recently at the Wicklow Montessori School, during which time she attained Fetac Level 5 in Childcare and worked on the delivery of ECCE.

Telephone: 0404 64455

jane@wccc.ie

Judy van den Belt

Training & Information Officer

Judy van den Belt joined as part-time administrator in January 2007. Her role involves organizing training courses run by the WCCC, updating WCCC’s website and social media platforms, providing information about our services and GDPR compliance. Judy has worked in multinational companies Microsoft , AT&T and numerous international shipping agencies. Her background is in Export/Imports, Export Compliance, Sales, Office Administration and Customer Service.

Telephone: 0404 64455

judy@wccc.ie

Wicklow County Childcare Development Team

Lorraine McConnell

North Wicklow - Development Officer

Lorraine McConnell joined WCCC in 2017. She is the Development Officer for North Wicklow. As a previous owner of both full day care and sessional childcare services for over twenty-five years, she has vast experience in the areas of day-to-day operations including finance, early years curricula, child development and partnerships with families. As part of her role in WCCC Lorraine promotes and supports quality practice in early learning and care and school age settings. She holds a diploma in Montessori Education from St. Nicholas College, a BA in Early Childhood Education and Care through IT Carlow and a Masters in Leadership and Management in Education from Trinity College Dublin. Since joining the WCCC she completed a Level 9 MA certificate in Teaching and Learning. Lorraine is a qualified trainer in several areas including the area of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and has lectured on the Master of Arts in Leadership in Early Years Education from South East Technological University.

Telephone: 0404 64455 / 087-2235255

lorraine@wccc.ie

Bernie Connell

West Wicklow - Development Officer

Bernie Connell joined the WCCC Team as a Development Officer in August 2020. Bernie’s experience in the early years sector is wide ranging, from managing a large community service in South Dublin and being a Tutor on the Leadership for Inclusion program, (LINC). The community service was in a DEIS area, supporting CE, Tús and JobBridge personnel alongside a large full time staff. Bernie has delivered training for Kildare Wicklow ETB for over 10 years in FETAC levels 3 to 6. This “on the ground experience” combined with professional knowledge gave Bernie a first-hand insight into the challenges facing early years providers and the requirement to build capacity and competence in the quality of provision allowing her to promote, develop and support quality practice in early years settings as part of the Government’s wider quality development agenda. Bernie has a BA in Applied Linguistics, a H dip in Early Years, a diploma in Mentoring and Coaching Early Years and previously worked as a French and Spanish Teacher. In a previous life Bernie worked in accounts so has a good background knowledge to assist services with sustainability issues.

Telephone: 0404 64455 / 087-2207698

bernie@wccc.ie

Margot Kinsella

East Wicklow Development Officer

Margot Kinsella joined WCCC in June 2023. With a diverse background, Margot brings a unique perspective to her role. After earning her marketing degree with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, she spent 15 years working in the FMCG business sector before establishing her own market research agency in Dublin. However, Margot’s journey took a different path after starting a family, leading her to follow her passion for early childhood education. With a diploma in Montessori Education and a BA in Early Childhood Education and Care, Margot has accumulated over 10 years experience running her own preschool service. She looks forward to sharing her hands-on knowledge of day-to-day operations, coupled with her unwavering commitment to promoting quality within the sector.

Telephone: 0404 64455 / 087 4856764

margot@wccc.ie

Rachel Garvey

Childminding Development Officer

Rachel Garvey Joined the WCCC team in May 2023. Rachel has over 8 years of experience in the Early Years Sector in which she has worked in a diverse number of roles including an Early Years Educator and Deputy Manager. Rachel achieved her BA (Hons) Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care with Carlow IT (SETU) in 2016. Rachel’s role involves supporting Childminders in County Wicklow, through the delivery of aims and objectives of the National Childminding Action Plan. Rachel is responsible for delivering training and information events to Childminders as well as the roll out of supports for Childminders such as the development grant and the learner fund.

Telephone: 0404 64455 / 087 4709409

rachel@wccc.ie