Kempsey Team
34 Belgrave St Kempsey NSW 2440A dedicated team of professionals committed to
delivering excellence in Early Childhood Intervention.
Early Connections offers education, therapy and support for children and their families.
We believe all children and families can learn, play and connect with the community.
Our team can meet with your child at school or child care to support your child’s inclusion.
School holiday programs
To register your interest for our school holiday social skills group for children up to 12 with a NDIS Package please call Keya Call our friendly team 02 6562 6492View Supports
Debbie Fraser
Manager Kempsey
Debbie is an Early Childhood Special Educator with a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Special Education. Debbie has worked in Early Childhood Services for over 30 years and with Early Connections Kempsey for 25 years.
Debbie loves to work in partnership with parents/caregivers, families, and early childhood services to enhance their knowledge, skills and supports to meet the needs of their children.
Debbie believes in inclusion for all children and their right to participate in family and community life.
Micha Rossell
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Micha has always worked for non-for-profit organisations in a variety of settings including homes, daycares, schools, and clinics. She provides speech and language therapy for children with various diagnoses including receptive and expressive language delays and disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, pragmatic language disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.
Jane Eller
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Jane was born here in Kempsey and raised on beautiful Dunghutti Country at Crescent Head. After completing her degree at the University of Newcastle, she returned home to pursue her love of working with children with speech and language needs. Jane has a keen interest in family- and cultural-centred practice and is very passionate about supporting every child to discover and develop their unique voice to help them thrive.
Angela Stringer
Speech Pathologist
Bachelor Speech Pathology
Angela has worked in the UK and Australia with preschool and school aged children. She worked at the Percy Hedley School where she completed a Master of Arts in Autism and also delivered a specialised Literacy and Social Communication Curriculum. She loves building Lego and enjoys discussing Star Wars and Dr Who and learning new memes from her teenage clients.
Kate Patterson
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Occupational Therapy
Kate has worked on the Mid North Coast with people of all ages in a variety of settings including work rehabilitation services, inpatient & community mental health services & now paediatrics. Kate grew up in the Kempsey – Crescent Head area.
Kate Mcmillan
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Occupational Therapy
Kate has grown up in the Kempsey-Macleay region and completed her studies at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie. Kate is passionate about using creativity within therapy sessions to enhance enjoyment and meaning for children. She values working with families to help them achieve their goals.
Janet Jensen
Early Intervention Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood
Janet worked as Director within the Kempsey Aboriginal Community Early Childhood Sector and has helped forge strong relationships with the early childhood centres in the region and a wide network of professional peers. Janet has a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood and is a Registered Facilitator in Circle of Security.
Elyse Wilson
Finance Manager
Bachelor of Business
Elyse joined the team in 2020 as Finance Manager. With a Business Degree Majoring in Accounting, Elyse brings over 15 years of experience to the role. Elyse was born and raised in the Macleay and returned to the area to raise her 2 children.
Keya Calhoun
Administrator
Certificate III in Business Administration
Keya has experience advocating within the disability and health sector for children with additional needs as two of her five children have Autism. This experience helps Keya to connect with and support families in a unique way. Keya has a Certificate II in Design Fundamentals.
Kirsty Mainey
Early Childhood Intervention Teacher
Bachelor Teaching Early Childhood
Kirsty has worked in the Early Childhood sector as an Early Childhood Teacher and Assistant Director. She has worked alongside a variety of cultures and is passionate about providing support for children and their families and building the capacity for all families to lead a wholesome and confident life and to feel connected to their community.
Phoebe Thompson Starr
Music Therapist
Masters in Creative Music Therapy
As a music therapist, Phoebe has experience working with clients with a range of presentations including: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Down Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay and Anxiety.
Your career starts here
Expressions of interest
Find out more about careers with Early Connections Alliance.
Kylie Hungerford
Allied Health Assistant
Cert IV Allied Health
With a background in Family Day Care and having completed her Certificate IV Allied Health Assistant course Kylie is passionate and is enjoying working with children and their families to make sure all our children live their best lives.