Hiring a Governess

Private tutoring and dedicated developmental enrichment, for your family

Nannies 糖心volg 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 糖心volg is always worth the investment.

To get started, you may wish to reflect on what you鈥檙e 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鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 the difference between a Governess and a Private Tutor?

It鈥檚 a common misconception that governesses are historical figures that don鈥檛 have a role in the modern household, however - it seems the opposite is true! Families are investing more than ever in their children鈥檚 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鈥檙e 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 糖心volg work in?

Whilst the majority of our placements have historically been located in London, Paris and Dubai, at Nannies 糖心volg 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鈥nd that鈥檚 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 糖心volg would be best for your family.

How much does it cost?

Your Governess鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

Their staff is particularly professional, responsive, reliable and efficient. Their director, an elegant and kind lady, takes the time to meet personally each candidate and keeps in contact for updates.

I only regret that I didn鈥檛 know this agency before!
— Governess S.
At this stage, we are very happy with this recruitment, and I am particularly satisfied with your support of a quality much higher than that of the other agencies solicited.
— Mrs V. - London

Engaging and knowledgeable Governesses, for the next generation

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    Governesses are skilled educators who will motivate your child to progress academically, find newfound passions for subjects, acquire life skills and develop good manners.

    A governess鈥 duties include educating children in their own homes, travelling with international families while maintaining a consistent curriculum, developing children鈥檚 social skills and teaching proper etiquette and manners.

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