Kids Planet chief executive Clare Roberts stepped into the shoes of an apprentice to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

Roberts became an apprentice for the day at Kids Allowed Knutsford, where she undertook a full induction and showround, training with a tutor and risk assessments, and time with the children.

Wearing a Kids Planet practitioner uniform Roberts was able to have a one-on-one session with tutor  Nathalie Glaze at the Kids Planet Training Academy, situated at the Knutsford site.

“It was a wonderful experience to walk in the shoes of one of our new colleagues to Kids Planet and to experience first-hand our induction process for an apprentice and to be part of the teaching and learning sessions delivered by the training academy,” said Roberts.

Becca Leigh, nursery manager at Kids Allowed Knutsford, said: “We’ve got six apprentices here at Knutsford. They’ve come from lots of different backgrounds, age-ranging from 16 all the way up to 40. Some have come straight from college, and others have done different job roles first.”

Samii Johnson, one of the six apprentices, moved into the profession after being an estate agent. “If someone was thinking about joining as an apprentice, I would say to go for it,” she said. “I’ve come in here at 29 and I’m not going to say I’m old by any means, but I did feel very conscious and I’ve been welcomed with open arms and I feel very comfortable. I think at any age or point in life, it’s a great decision.”