The Governess
Childcare Services
What is a Governess?
A Governess is an education focused childcare professional whose role sits at the intersection of caregiving and instruction. While she shares responsibility for a child’s safety, well-being, and daily structure, her primary focus is broader and more developmental than that of a traditional nanny. A governess supports a child’s intellectual growth, social awareness, and emotional maturity, often working alongside schools, tutors, or curricula - or, in some cases, shaping a customized educational approach based on how a child learns best. Her work is less task-driven and more holistic, emphasizing critical thinking, curiosity, independence, and character development within the context of family life.
To learn more about working with a Governess or to begin the placement process, we invite you to connect for a consultation.
Typical Governess Responsibilities.
While responsibilities vary by family and child, a Governess’s role often includes:
Supporting academic development in alignment with a child’s school or curriculum
Designing enrichment activities that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and independence
Reinforcing learning through conversation, reading, projects, and real-world experiences
Monitoring progress and adapting approaches based on a child’s learning style
Supporting social-emotional development, confidence, and self-discipline
Collaborating with parents, schools, tutors, and other caregivers
Maintaining structure and consistency across home, travel, or multiple residences
A Governess’s work is intentionally flexible, evolving alongside a child’s growth - responding thoughtfully to changing developmental stages, educational goals, and the natural progression of family life, with an emphasis on enriching the child’s learning, curiosity, and overall development.
A governess is often the right choice for families who want education and development thoughtfully integrated into daily life, rather than treated as a separate or supplemental activity. This role is particularly well suited to households seeking individualized learning, continuity between home and school, or a more intentional approach to a child’s intellectual and social-emotional growth.
Families may consider a governess when a child benefits from personalized instruction, when frequent travel or multiple residences make traditional schooling less consistent, or when long-term developmental guidance is a priority.
While a governess shares responsibility for a child’s overall well being, her role differs from that of a traditional nanny or tutor. Rather than focusing solely on care or subject specific instruction, a governess provides broader developmental support; reinforcing learning, independence, and emotional maturity within the rhythm of daily life.
Families exploring education-focused roles may also wish to learn more about our Nanny Tutor and Private Educator placements.
For a broader view of our work, explore the full range of roles we place.
When Is a Governess the Right Choice?
Questions and Answers
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While these roles can overlap, each serves a distinct purpose. A Nanny is primarily responsible for day-to-day care, routines, and a child’s overall safety and well-being. A Tutor focuses on academic support, usually within specific subjects or defined learning goals.
A Governess bridges the two - combining education, care, and developmental guidance. This role supports not only academic growth, but also independence, emotional intelligence, and life skills as part of daily living.
Put simply: nannies prioritize care, tutors concentrate on academics, and governesses support the development of the whole child.
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Governesses are typically best suited for school-aged children, generally ranging from early elementary through the pre-teen years. This is when children benefit most from structured guidance that blends academics, personal development, and independence building within daily life.
While some governesses may work with younger children, the role is most impactful once a child is developmentally ready for more intentional educational and social guidance.
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A Governess role can be either live-in or live-out, depending on the family’s needs and the structure of the position.
Some families prefer a live-in Governess, particularly when the role involves extensive travel, multiple residences, or immersive educational support. Other families opt for a live-out arrangement with set hours, especially when the Governess is supporting school-aged children locally. The structure is flexible and should be clearly defined based on the scope of the role and household expectations.
Because the family home is the Governess’s workplace, any on-site living arrangement outside of working hours should always be by mutual agreement rather than expectation. A Governess should only be asked to live in the home during periods when they are being compensated. If a live-in arrangement is important to your family, we can provide guidance on how to structure compensation appropriately to reflect that expectation.
At The Grocery Store, The Anti-Agency, the process begins with a brief conversation about your family’s routine, expectations, and the environment you want to create at home. From there, we define the role with care and conduct a discreet search aligned with your values and long term goals.
How to Hire a Governess.
The Grocery Store places Governesses across major residential, metropolitan, and resort destinations:
Southern California, Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, and surrounding communities
Northern California, San Francisco, Atherton, Palo Alto, Woodside, and the greater Bay Area
Florida, Miami, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and neighboring coastal areas
New York City and New York State, the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, SoHo, TriBeCa, Chelsea, Brooklyn, the Hamptons, and the greater Tri-State area
Connecticut and nearby regions, Greenwich, Stamford, Westchester, and surrounding communities
New England, Boston and surrounding areas of Massachusetts, as well as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard
The Midwest, Chicago and surrounding areas
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Maryland and Virginia
Texas, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and other major cities
The Pacific Northwest, Seattle and Portland
Resort destinations, Aspen, Colorado, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu, Maui, and the North Shore
Nationwide, with select international placements
