Hiring a Governess

Nannies Incorporated is a leading London agency providing experienced governesses to private households in London and worldwide.

A governess, or private tutor, is a qualified professional (often a teacher) employed by families to educate the children in their private household.

Our governesses are formally qualified and hold a diploma in childcare, a recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE with QTS, a bachelor’s degree and/or have considerable experience as childcarers in the home setting as teachers or tutors.

We take our time to carefully screen governesses and pay particular attention when matching nannies with families. Candidates are always selected to meet your individual and specific requirements.

Where do I begin?

When considering bringing a governess or private tutor into your household, we always advise speaking with a specialist; unlike many other domestic roles, it is vitally important that the candidate you bring into your family’s life matches up to your expectations, and provides a positive learning environment. Childcare positions have additional nuance and considerations to bear in mind, and in our experience working with a dedicated childcare recruitment specialist such as Nannies Incorporated is always worth the investment.

To get started, you may wish to reflect on what you’re looking to most achieve from the appointment, or which specific areas you feel your child or children might benefit from additional support in. Then, you may wish to consider the practical side of the appointment, such as budget for the role, expectations around schedule and duties, or how you’ll introduce the successful candidate to the family.

We have worked with families for over 30 years, and in that time have amassed considerable experience - to help you on your journey we would suggest reading through our Guides section, or completing our Family Registration form to give our team the building blocks to help find your ideal candidate.

What does a Governess do?

Governesses focus on the educational needs of school-aged children. They can teach and tutor a language, maths, sciences and/or other subjects, provide assistance with school work and exam preparation, focus on the children’s social development, teach manners and etiquette, or occasionally music instruments. They can also research schools and help with school applications. Generally, governesses are not responsible for the general caregiving tasks but are primarily focused on education.

Employing a governess in a private home gives parents the advantage of getting a tailored tuition plan for their children.

Duties do not include nursery duties; the sole focus of a governess is on the children's learning and development. A governess works alongside a nanny who would take care of these duties.

What’s the difference between a Governess and a Private Tutor?

It’s a common misconception that governesses are historical figures that don’t have a role in the modern household, however - it seems the opposite is true! Families are investing more than ever in their children’s academic and wider developmental education, and home-schooling is becoming increasingly popular with families who travel frequently - a governess is a seamless way to bring this enrichment and geographical flexibility into the every day.

Strictly speaking, the main difference between a Governess and a Tutor is that a governess is responsible for the full-time education and social skills of the children, whereas a Tutor gives supplementary education to improve the level of the student, or to help children who have particular challenges with subjects keep up with their peers.

If you’re at all unsure, our team of experienced consultants would be very happy to discuss your needs and preferences to establish exactly what profile of candidate would best suit your individual family.

What countries do Nannies Incorporated work in?

Whilst the majority of our placements have historically been located in London, Paris and Dubai, at Nannies Incorporated we have been lucky enough to work with wonderful families from all around the world.

We have placed governesses in Kuwait, Turkey, Mauritius, Oman and Saudi Arabia…and that’s just to name a few!

We are very happy to speak with families both at home and abroad, to find out if working with Nannies Incorporated would be best for your family.

How much does it cost?

Your Governess’s salary will primarily depend on where you are located, but it would be advisable to research your budget to ensure that the governess you bring into your home is well-trained, highly regarded, and has the depth of experience needed to ensure the most optimum educational environment. This figure would also cover the pension contributions legally required, and the fee payable to your governess’s recruitment and vetting agency.

We have provided a comprehensive Guide on the average governess salaries per region that we service here, and you can read more detail on how our Fees work here.