At the Out of School Childcare Conference and Awards Ceremony 2025, we are excited to present the following guest speakers.

Sharon Eastlake, Head of Childcare and Play Policy and Legislation, Early Years, Childcare and Play Division, Welsh Government.

Sharon Eastlake took up the post as Head of Childcare and Play Policy & Legislation in October 2022. She is responsible for leading on policy development relating to regulated childcare, play, and the delivery of the Childcare and Early Years Capital Programme.

She has worked in Welsh Government since 2017, and before joining the Early Years Childcare and Play Division worked for 5 years within Care Inspectorate Wales. During her time in Care Inspectorate Wales Sharon led on local authority inspections and on improvement and enforcement of regulated provision.  Prior to this Sharon has 17 years’ experience as a Social Worker within local authority children services, which has built a strong foundation for her current role. Sharon enjoys coaching and mentoring people to be the best they can be and is a Welsh language mentor for learners within the organisation. Since December 2023 Sharon has also been volunteering as a Magistrate.

Pip Dimmock – Chief Executive Officer, Interplay

Pip Dimmock – Interplay CEO, has worked within the disability sector for over 25 years. Starting in Adult Services she has worked within respite, day centre and workshop settings, as well as spending 6 years as the Participation officer for Adult services in Swansea.  In 2011/12 she noted the increased numbers of neurodiverse young people that were being referred into adult services that did not meet their needs.  This prompted her to change focus to try and find a better pathway for children, and in 2013 joined Interplay, a play charity that focuses on providing play for children and young people with disabilities and mental health support needs.

Over the past 10 years Pip has had first-hand experience working with children with all levels of ability and support needs, and has seen how restricting access to play and risk taking for children, especially those with additional needs can prevent them learning the skills they need to reach their full potential in adulthood.

Pip has undertaken a Level 2, 3 and 5 Playwork Qualification, as well as a Level 5 in Health and Social: Children and Young people to help her further understand the correlation between play and development for  children with Additional Learning Needs.

We would like to give you an opportunity to put your questions forward now which will then be answered on the night.

Submit your questions