What does a Governess do?
A Governess in a private household is responsible for a child’s education and development. Where a Nanny’s day is built around care and routine, a Governess’s is built around learning – supporting with homework, teaching a language or curriculum, and helping the children grow in confidence and independence. Many private families now hire governesses to travel with them, so that the children’s education stays on track wherever in the world the family is located.
Below we cover what the job role looks like today, how it differs from a Nanny or a Tutor, how to hire a Governess and what to expect to pay.
What a Governess does
We often find no two Governess roles are the same, as the role very much depends on the family’s approach and their children. Responsibilities tend to include:
- Supporting with school work and homework, or teaching directly when children are between schools or travelling.
- Teaching a language. Bilingual governesses are some of the most requested, particularly French, Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic.
- Following a specific curriculum, such as the British, French or International Baccalaureate systems, so the children can return to school without falling behind.
- Preparing children for school entrance exams and interviews.
- Encouraging reading, music, sport and outings that build wider interests.
- Setting routines and boundaries that suit the family’s approach. Some families want structure; others want a Governess who encourages independence rather than directing every moment.
- Keeping parents updated on their children’s progress, and working alongside Nannies, Tutors and the rest of the household team.
Governess, Nanny or Tutor?
The three job roles overlap and families often aren’t sure which one they need. The simplest way to think about it: a Nanny looks after the children, a Tutor teaches a subject, and a Governess takes responsibility for their education as a whole.
Nanny
Focus: care, routine and wellbeing
Children: usually babies to primary age
Hours: full-time, often live-in or rota
Typical background: childcare qualifications and experience
Governess
Focus: education and development
Children: usually school age
Hours: full-time, often live-in, rota or travelling
Typical background: often a qualified teacher, sometimes bilingual
Tutor
Focus: a specific subject or exam
Children: any age
Hours: usually part-time, by the session
Typical background: subject or exam specialist
Many private families move from one to the next as their children grow, starting with a Nanny and bringing in a Governess once school and learning take centre stage.
Some combine the positions, with a Nanny for their younger children and a Governess for their older ones.
Types of Governess roles
- Live-in: based with the family in one home, usually with set hours and time off.
- Rota: two Governesses sharing the role on alternating weeks, for families who need continuous cover.
- Travelling: moving with the family between various residences or countries, and often teaching directly when the children are away from school.
- Bilingual or curriculum-led: focused on a language or a specific school system, often for families who move between countries.
How to hire a Governess
1. Start with the children.
Their ages, schools or curriculum, languages, and anything they find hard. Then think about the family’s approach: how much structure you want, and how much independence you’d like the children to have.
2. Be clear about the practical side.
Live-in, rota or travelling; hours and time off; accommodation; and how the Governess will work alongside the Nanny, Tutors or other staff. These details matter as much as qualifications.
3. Think about personality as well as experience.
Some households want a quiet, steady presence. Others want someone with energy who joins in. Neither is right or wrong,but it should be in the brief.
4. Search discreetly.
Experienced Governesses are usually in work and rarely apply to advertised roles. A specialist agency can approach them directly without naming the family.
5. Check references by phone.
Speak to previous families or schools directly. Check qualifications, Right to Work and criminal record checks.
6. Meet, then trial.
After an interview, a paid trial day with the children shows far more than a CV can, and the children’s reaction is often the clearest answer.
Becoming a Governess
Most Governesses come from a teaching background, often with a teaching qualification such as a PGCE or QTS, and experience in schools or with private families around the world. Others come from nannying or tutoring and move into Governess work as they build academic experience.
What private families tend to look for:
- A teaching qualification or a degree, particularly in education or a relevant subject
- Experience with children of the age you’d be working with
- A second language, which opens up many international roles
- Knowledge of a specific curriculum or entrance exams
- Flexibility about travel, and the judgement to work discreetly in a private home
If you’re looking for your next role, see our latest Governess jobs.
How much does a Governess earn?
A Governess salary depends on experience, qualifications, languages and how much the role involves travel. As a guide, from recent roles at Cora (annual salaries stated):
| Location | Typical annual salary range |
|---|---|
| UK | £55,000 – £100,000 |
| Europe | €45,000 – €120,000 |
| USA | $70,000 – $130,000 |
| UAE | AED 180,000–AED 420,000 |
FAQs on Governess jobs
A Nanny primarily focuses on childcare and daily routines, usually for younger children; whilst a Governess is responsible for the education and development of school-aged children, often supporting schoolwork, teaching a language or following a curriculum.
A Governess typically has a background in education or teaching, often with a degree or teaching qualification such as PGCE or QTS, or equivalent. Private families also look for subject expertise, experience with the right age group, and often a second language, or specific subject expertise.
Yes, governesses are particularly well suited to support the academic and developmental needs of older children in primary or secondary school, including teenagers who need support with exams, a particular curriculum, or keeping up with school whlst the family travels.
A majority of Governesses live-in, especially in travelling or international roles. Others work on a rota, or live-out within set hours. It depends on how the family lives and how much cover the children need.
Yes. It is one of the main reasons families hire one. A Travelling Governess keeps the children’s learning consistent between homes, countries and school terms.
Hiring a Governess with Cora
We recruit governesses for families in the UK, across Europe, the Middle East and the US, from bilingual and curriculum led roles to travelling and rota positions. Before we look for anyone, we take the time to understand the children and how the family approaches their education.
Hiring a Governess? Talk to us about a search or explore our Nanny and Governess recruitment service.
Looking for a Governess role? View our latest Governess jobs.
Or call our office on +44 20 7858 9491.