It’s one of the most common questions families ask when they come to us. The governess and the nanny are both trusted members of the household — but they do fundamentally different jobs, and confusing them leads to poor placements and frustrated families.
Here is a clear breakdown of both roles, where they overlap, and how to decide which is right for your household.
What a Nanny Does
A nanny’s primary responsibility is the care and wellbeing of your children. A VIP nanny working with a high-net-worth family typically handles:
- Daily routines — morning and bedtime routines, meals, bathing
- School runs and activity schedules
- Emotional support and behavioural guidance
- Light housekeeping related to the children
- Travel with the family — holidays, international moves
- Liaising with schools and other household staff
A nanny may do some educational activities, but structured academic teaching is not her primary role. A nanny holds childcare qualifications — NNEB, CACHE Level 3, or equivalent — rather than a teaching qualification.
What a Governess Does
A governess is an education professional working exclusively with one family. At EED, every governess we place holds a full teaching qualification — PGCE, QTS, or international equivalent. Her role centres on:
- Delivering structured academic lessons aligned to a curriculum (UK, IB, Cambridge)
- Managing home-schooling or supplementing school education
- Language immersion — teaching in French, Mandarin, Arabic, or other languages
- Coordinating tutors, extracurriculars, and the child’s wider education
- Travelling with the family to ensure educational continuity across locations
Governess vs Nanny: Side by Side
Where the Roles Overlap
The line is blurrest with younger children (3–6 years) and with so-called “educare” or nanny-governess roles. Some families specifically seek a hybrid: someone who can cover both structured learning and practical childcare within a single role.
Nanny Governess
A nanny with strong academic skills who can deliver structured learning alongside care — common for families with children aged 3–8. Usually requires a teaching background.
Rota Governess
A governess who works on a rotational schedule — typically two weeks on, two weeks off — for families who travel internationally or maintain multiple residences.
Governess + Nanny (Separate)
Many larger households employ both — a governess for structured school hours and a nanny for evenings, mornings and care during holidays and breaks.
Bilingual Governess
A native-speaking governess who delivers education entirely (or partly) in a second language — Arabic, French, Mandarin or Russian most commonly requested by EED clients.
Which Does Your Family Need?
A few questions that help clarify the decision:
- Is structured academic education the priority? → Governess
- Is daily care, routine, and emotional support the priority? → Nanny
- Do you want language immersion from an early age? → Bilingual governess
- Are you home-schooling or educating outside the mainstream? → Governess
- Do you need cover across multiple residences internationally? → Rota governess
- Are your children under 5 with some learning goals? → Nanny governess or educare
Not sure which role is right for you?
EED has been advising UHNW families in London, Dubai and internationally since 2008. We’ll help you define the right brief before we begin the search.
What Is a Governess?
The modern governess — qualifications, responsibilities and how the role has evolved from its Victorian origins.
How to Hire a Governess
Step-by-step guide to briefing, interviewing and placing the right governess for your household.