governess

Curo Help Governess - Exceptional Education, Seamlessly Integrated.

Elite governesses worldwide — nurturing your children with sophistication, discretion, and personalized educational excellence.

We provide highly experienced governesses to UHNW families, private estates, and distinguished households around the globe. Each governess is selected for her expertise in education, etiquette, and child development, as well as her ability to work discreetly within luxury households. From academic guidance to cultural enrichment, she ensures your children receive the highest standards of personalized attention while supporting the seamless operation of your household.

Academic Support – Personalized tutoring aligned with international curricula and individual learning styles.
Cultural & Language Development – Multilingual instruction and exposure to arts, music, and global cultures.
Etiquette & Life Skills – Teaching refinement, social skills, and household protocols for distinguished upbringing.
Household Integration – Coordinating seamlessly with household staff and family schedules.
Travel & Boarding Support – Assisting with school transitions, travel, and boarding arrangements worldwide.
Holistic Child Development – Encouraging emotional intelligence, creativity, and confidence in every child.

Your children deserve more than instruction — they deserve a refined, personalized education delivered with discretion and care.
Our elite governesses provide excellence, balance, and continuity, wherever your family resides in the world.

Types of Governess Available

1. Traditional Governess
• Focuses on academic education within the home.
• Teaches core subjects (literacy, numeracy, history, languages).
• Often holds a teaching qualification and experience in private schools.

2. Governess-Tutor
• A hybrid of governess and private tutor.
• Provides one-to-one academic coaching, exam preparation (11+, IB, A-Levels, SATs).
• Popular with UHNW families seeking elite school or university placements.

3. Bilingual / Multilingual Governess
• Fluent in multiple languages (e.g., English/French, English/Mandarin, Russian/English).
• Teaches children through immersion, supporting fluency from an early age.
• Suited to internationally based or multilingual families.

4. Travelling Governess
• Accompanies families across multiple residences, yachts, and international travel.
• Ensures educational continuity despite frequent relocations.
• Skilled at adapting lessons to different environments and time zones.

5. Specialist Governess (Arts, Sports, STEM)
• Brings expertise in a specialist area such as music, fine arts, performing arts, sports coaching, or STEM subjects.
• Often hired to nurture a child’s talent or passion to a professional level.

6. Governess with SEN Expertise
• Supports children with special educational needs (autism, ADHD, dyslexia).
• Blends educational instruction with tailored strategies.
• Works alongside therapists, tutors, and SEN nannies.

7. Etiquette & Finishing Governess
• Teaches social skills, manners, cultural awareness, and refinement.
• Often engaged by UHNW families wanting their children to master diplomatic and international etiquette.
• Sometimes combined with language or travel governess roles.

Many UHNW families prefer a hybrid governess, such as a travelling bilingual governess or a governess-tutor with etiquette training — ensuring both academic excellence and cultural polish.

Primary Governess Duties

A governess is traditionally employed to educate and care for children in a private household, often in a more personal and academic role than a nanny. Her duties usually combine teaching, supervision, and fostering a child’s personal development.

Educational Duties

Tutoring core subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, history, and sometimes foreign languages.

Preparing lesson plans tailored to each child’s abilities and school curriculum.

Helping with homework and exam preparation.

Organizing educational activities like museum visits, science experiments, or cultural trips.

Monitoring academic progress and reporting to parents.

Developmental & Social Guidance

Teaching manners, etiquette, and social skills.

Encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence.

Supporting emotional development and confidence building.

Encouraging reading, hobbies, and creativity.

Daily Routine Support

Structuring the child’s daily schedule for study, play, meals, and rest.

Supervising extracurricular activities like music lessons or sports.

Helping maintain a balanced lifestyle with physical exercise and limited screen time.

Travel & Cultural Exposure

Accompanying the family on trips and ensuring continuity of education while abroad.

Teaching about different cultures and customs when traveling or through study.

Liaison & Reporting

Communicating regularly with parents about the child’s academic and personal growth.

Coordinating with other staff (nannies, tutors, coaches) to ensure consistent care and teaching.

Primary Governess Skills

A good governess needs a blend of teaching expertise, childcare experience, and interpersonal skills—essentially a mix of teacher, mentor, and role model.

Educational & Teaching Skills

Strong subject knowledge across core academic areas.

Lesson planning and curriculum design tailored to the child’s level.

Patience and adaptability to different learning styles.

Assessment and progress tracking to monitor development.

Bilingual or multilingual abilities (often highly valued).

Child Development & Care

Understanding of child psychology and developmental stages.

Behavior management strategies that are firm but supportive.

Encouraging independence, responsibility, and resilience.

Knowledge of age-appropriate activities and safe play.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Clear, articulate communication with both children and parents.

Active listening to understand needs and concerns.

Diplomacy and discretion in private family settings.

Ability to inspire curiosity and confidence in children.

Organizational Skills

Time management to balance academics, activities, and rest.

Record-keeping for lessons, grades, and developmental notes.

Coordinating with other staff or tutors.

Planning educational outings and enrichment activities.

Personal Qualities

Professionalism and reliability.

Creativity in making learning fun and engaging.

Cultural awareness and etiquette.

Flexibility to travel or adjust to changing schedules.

A genuine passion for teaching and children’s growth.

Essential Governess Qualifications

Governess qualifications can vary depending on the family’s needs, but most employers expect a mix of formal education, teaching credentials, and relevant childcare experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, Early Childhood Studies, English, or a relevant subject area.

Specialist degrees (e.g., languages, music, science) if the role focuses on a particular subject.

Teaching & Childcare Certifications

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent (e.g., PGCE in the UK, state teaching license in the US).

Montessori, TEFL, or ESL certification if teaching language or specific learning styles.

Early Childhood Education diplomas or certificates.

Paediatric First Aid and CPR certification.

Experience

Proven teaching or tutoring experience (school or private).

Experience in working with children of different ages (often 3–16).

Prior work in private households or high-net-worth families is a plus.

Travel nanny/governess experience if the role involves relocation or frequent travel.

Additional Desirable Skills

Bilingual or multilingual abilities (e.g., English plus French, Spanish, or Mandarin).

Music, arts, sports, or STEM expertise for enrichment activities.

Strong IT and digital learning skills.

Knowledge of etiquette and cultural protocols for formal households.

Governess - Live in or Live Out

A governess can be live-in or live-out, and the arrangement usually depends on the family’s needs, lifestyle, and location.

Live-In Governess

Pros for the family

Always available for early mornings, evenings, or travel.

Flexible for last-minute schedule changes.

Builds a strong bond with the children.

Pros for the governess

Accommodation and meals provided (reducing living expenses).

Closer integration with the family’s routine.

Considerations

Requires clear boundaries for working hours and privacy.

May need private living quarters to ensure comfort and professionalism.

Live-Out Governess

Pros for the family

Clearer distinction between work and personal time.

No need to provide accommodation.

Pros for the governess

More personal independence and separation from work.

Ability to maintain a personal home life.

Considerations

Less flexibility for late nights, early mornings, or travel unless pre-arranged.

Commuting can be affected by distance and weather.