Blog

Read about all our latest news by clicking on the posts below.

International Women’s Day 2024

International Women’s Day 2024

Today, we're celebrating International Women's Day 2024! It's a time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of women throughout history and to recommit to the ongoing fight for gender equality. This day serves as a reminder of the progress made in advancing the...

A Day in the Life of a Nursery Apprentice – Amy Jones

A Day in the Life of a Nursery Apprentice – Amy Jones

Hi, my name is Amy and I work at The Mulberry Bush with children aged 18 to 24 months old. I am a modern apprentice and I have worked here for roughly 4 weeks. Here is my story… When I left school (May 2023), I had no idea what I wanted to do. It played on my mind all...

Enabling Environments in Early Years

Enabling Environments in Early Years

Enabling Environments in Early Years In Early Years, an enabling environment refers to providing a rich and engaging environment that supports and encourages the learning and development of children. The  Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) places emphasis on the role...

Cervical Screening

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening, otherwise known as a smear test (or pap smear in the USA), is a free NHS service for women testing for cervical health and help prevent cervical cancer. It's available to women aged 25 to 64, and you are invited to screening by letter through the...

Functional Skills Maths – Top Tips

Functional Skills Maths – Top Tips

Maths is an important part of an apprenticeship programme, and apprentices cannot sit their End Point Assessment without prior achievement of Maths and English. However, Functional Skills Maths causes anxiety for many learners across the country. We regularly hear...

What to Expect when you’re Expecting!

What to Expect when you’re Expecting!

Finding out you are pregnant can be exciting and nerve-wracking in equal measure, and you may experience anxieties when thinking about what changes will happen over the coming months. For many women, it may be their first ever experience of having a baby, and it is...

The Importance of Reflective Practice in Early Years

The Importance of Reflective Practice in Early Years

What is reflective practice? Reflective practice is an essential component of Early Years education and an important tool to help us self-improve and develop. It is a continuous process of self-evaluation and improvement that helps practitioners to understand their...

How To Celebrate Children in Need in Your Setting

How To Celebrate Children in Need in Your Setting

BBC Children in Need is a UK charity which raises money to help disadvantaged children and young people. Founded in 1980, the charity funds thousands of projects, and works with a wide range of organisations to help children and young people to feel happy and secure,...

Workplace Bullying

Workplace Bullying

Unfortunately, many people will experience workplace bullying at some point in their life, which can have negative long-term physical and emotional consequences. Workplace bullying refers to a persistent pattern of mistreatment from others in the workplace. This...

A Careers Chat with our Childcare Tutor, Donna

A Careers Chat with our Childcare Tutor, Donna

Meet Donna, one of our Childcare Tutors at Showcase Training. In this video, Donna explains how she got in to Early Years from previously working in the Royal Navy, and also provides some tips for individuals who are interested in changing career paths.

The Showcase Apprenticeship Awards 2023

The Showcase Apprenticeship Awards 2023

On Thursday 5th October 2023, we hosted our first Showcase Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of our learners as well as the amazing employers that we work with.Inspiration of the YearThe Inspiration of the Year Award is presented to...

World Mental Health Day 2023

World Mental Health Day 2023

Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on the 10th October and aims to raise awareness and improve knowledge of mental health issues, as well as drive positive change. Having good mental health is an integral part of our wellbeing, allowing us to cope with...

Intimate Care

Intimate Care

Intimate care is often a bit of a taboo subject, yet it plays a vital role in our overall health and wellbeing. Our intimate areas require special attention and care to maintain hygiene, prevent infections, and promote comfort and confidence. In this article, we will...

Sexual Violence and Finding Support

Sexual Violence and Finding Support

Trigger Warning: this article contains information regarding sexual violence and assault that some readers may find alarming. If you require any support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with either your tutor or the Showcase main office. Sexual violence and...

Makaton in Early Years

Makaton in Early Years

Monday 28th August is International Makaton Awareness Day. Makaton is a language programme that uses signs, symbols, and speech to help people communicate. It is a multi-modal approach to communication, which means that it uses multiple channels to convey meaning....

A Careers Chat with a Neonatal Nursery Nurse

A Careers Chat with a Neonatal Nursery Nurse

As a Neonatal Nursery Nurse in a hospital, Beki is responsible for the care of premature and sick babies who no longer require intensive care or high dependency. This includes tasks such as providing basic care, such as bathing, feeding, and changing, monitoring...

Top Tips for CV Writing

Top Tips for CV Writing

When applying for a job, a CV is often the first impression that you will give. Therefore, it is important that a CV contains all of the relevant skills and experience that you have acquired. Here are some top tips to help make your CV stand out from the rest. What...

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Trigger Warning (TW): This blog post contains information that some readers may find upsetting or difficult to read. There are a list of sources of support throughout should you need some further advice and guidance.Sexual activity may result in the fertilisation of...

Why Men Should Consider A Career in Early Years

Why Men Should Consider A Career in Early Years

Globally, Early Years settings are dominated by females. Research has shown that only 3% of the Early Years workforce is male and in more than three-quarters of settings, there is not a single male employee. Here at Showcase, we are passionate about breaking down...

Sexual Health: What You Need to Know

Sexual Health: What You Need to Know

Sexual Health: What You Need to Know Sexual health is an important part of overall health. It includes your physical, emotional, and social well-being as it relates to your sexuality. Good sexual health means being able to enjoy sex safely and freely, without fear of...

Healthy and Active Lifestyles in Early Years

Healthy and Active Lifestyles in Early Years

Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle in early years is crucial for growth and development. Research has shown that if physical activity is incorporated in to a child’s life from early on, they are more likely to be physically active throughout their adult life....

Stress

Stress

What is stress? At some point in our lives, we have all felt stressed. This could arise from a certain event or situation or when we are placed under pressure. Stress is a feeling that we get when we find it difficult to cope with the demands that are placed on us. It...

Let’s Talk Hygiene

Let’s Talk Hygiene

Let's Talk HygieneClean and safe sexual practices are important to ensure you and your partner are kept in tip top conditon when getting a little frisky. Here are some ideas to ensure you keep hygiene in mind before, during, and after sexual activity and some easy...

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

This Year's Theme This year, Mental Health Awareness Week runs from the 15th to the 21st May with the theme ‘Anxiety’. Currently, over 8 million people in the UK have an anxiety disorder. Focusing on anxiety for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week will increase...

Promoting Healthy Relationships

Promoting Healthy Relationships

Promoting Healthy RelationshipsRelationships, especially romantic ones, are a common and key part of everyone's life and as humans we naturally seek love and acceptance; healthy and good relationships can help you to feel secure and supported. Gaining this from the...

Easter Activity Ideas

Easter Activity Ideas

On the hunt for Easter activity ideas? Below are 3 exciting Easter activities to organise and carry out with the children in your Early Years setting. Easter Egg Hunt Basket An Easter egg hunt is an essential Easter activity. As well as being fun for the children, it...

Let’s Talk Contraception

Let’s Talk Contraception

Let's Talk ContraceptionMany people choose to use methods of contraception to avoid pregancy whilst being sexually active. There are lots of different methods available for women and men, and most are available free of charge through the NHS. Find out more below and...

Safer Sleep Week

Safer Sleep Week

Safer Sleep Week – The Lullaby Trust The Lullaby Trust’s campaign ‘Safer Sleep Week’ aims to raise awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and provides advice to anyone looking after a young baby on how to reduce the risk. The Trust also offer emotional...

Child-Led Vs. Adult-Led Learning

Child-Led Vs. Adult-Led Learning

What is the difference between Child-Led and Adult-Led learning? There are differences between child-led and adult-led play in Early Years and it is important that practitioners make time for both of these types of play. To provide high-quality experiences in an Early...

Top Tips for Applying for a Childcare Apprenticeship

Top Tips for Applying for a Childcare Apprenticeship

Looking for a childcare apprenticeship? Not sure of how to write a course application statement? Here are some helpful tips on how to successfully apply for a childcare apprenticeship.   Check the National Apprenticeship Service regularly as most apprenticeships...

Nookie Knowledge – February

Nookie Knowledge – February

Welcome!Our regular blog aims to help keep you informed of local services, resources, knowledge, and health advice to keep you safe and in a happy and healthy personal relationship. Each month we will post websites, posters/leaflets, resources, and quizzes to get you...

Gender Dysphoria

Gender Dysphoria

What is Gender Dysphoria? Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease or dissatisfaction that an individual may have because of confusion between their biological sex and gender identity. Our gender identity refers to how we see and describe ourselves....

Where Can An Apprenticeship Take You?

Where Can An Apprenticeship Take You?

Where can an apprenticeship take you? An apprenticeship can open up a world of opportunities and allow you to add a valuable asset to your CV. If you want to get stuck into your career, receive training and earn a wage at the same time, then an apprenticeship may be...

The History of Apprenticeships

The History of Apprenticeships

Have you ever considered the historical aspects of vocational education and when apprenticeships were first established? Vocational education can be traced back to the 19th Century and was particularly prominent as part of the Mechanic’s Institute Movement. This...

Healthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships

Is your relationship healthy? Everyone deserves to be in a safe and healthy relationship. Do you know if your relationship is healthy? Answer yes or no to the following questions to find out. Statement Yes No Score Your partner is very supportive of the things that...

Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety

What is Social Anxiety? Social anxiety refers to an overwhelming fear of social situations; this can occur either before, during or after these events. This type of anxiety is a common problem that often starts during your teenage years and can have a large impact on...

Never Too Old For An Apprenticeship

Never Too Old For An Apprenticeship

Never Too Old For An Apprenticeship Can you do an apprenticeship at any age? Yes! The definition of an apprenticeship is a paid job which offers hands-on work experience alongside off-the-job training. By the end of your apprenticeship, you will hopefully have gained...

Financial Stress and Mental Health

Financial Stress and Mental Health

Introduction Money worries can have a huge impact on our mental health. Worrying about our finances can trigger anxiety, sleep problems as well as affect our social wellbeing. You may not be able to afford the things you need to stay well, for example, food, water,...

Christmas Activity Ideas

Christmas Activity Ideas

Christmas Activity Ideas Looking for some activity ideas during the festive period? Christmas is an exciting time of year in early years with many young children amazed by the magic and wonder created around Christmas time. Many settings use this festive period in...

Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner

Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner

What is the Level 4? Showcase Training are excited to annouce the delivery of the Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner qualification! This qualification is aimed at current Level 3 Early Years Practitioners to provide them with the knowledge...

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Introduction Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to the changes in seasons, often starting in the autumn and continuing into the winter months. This transition is associated with decreased temperatures and reduced sunlight...

Grief and Bereavement

Grief and Bereavement

Grief and Bereavement Losing a loved one or someone you are close to is overwhelmingly difficult. Whether it be a family member, friend or pet, grief effects everyone at some point in their lives. You cannot predict how you will react to a loss but it is important to...

Social Media and Mental Health

Social Media and Mental Health

Introduction In the last 20 years, the rise of social networking sites has been strongly correlated with increasing mental health rates among young people. The surge in popularity of these platforms have created a monumental shift in how children and young people...