Governesses - Duties, Working Hours and Salary

Governesses are qualified professionals employed to teach children in a private households. Their charges are of a school age rather than babies. In contrast to a nanny who takes care of the nursery duties, a governess concentrates on teaching children, and their education and is often hired alongside a nanny. They supplement or replace children’s main school education. 

Duties of a governess:

• A governess helps children achieve their developmental and academic targets.

• A governess promotes personal, social, intellectual and educational development. She cultivates confidence, creativity and risk taking. 

•  A governess coordinates and provides co-curricular, extra-curricular, educational excursions and leisure activities. 

• A governess helps children practise making moral decisions, learning good manners and the instincts of courtesy. 

• A governess models and foster open mindedness, kindness and thoughtfulness.

• A governess promotes sustainability in their actions and in teaching. 

• A governess might also teach a second language, music, arts and sports. 

• A governess is a teacher and a mentor and helps children to enjoy childhood and develop at a pace suited to them and their individual needs. 

Working hours and salary 

A governess can be employed on a part time or full time basis with 2 days off per week. It is expected that a governess will travel with a family. A part time governess can earn on average £450 net per week and full time £1100 net per week.