Native-speaking Governesses for Bilingual Education and Cultural Upbringing in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Chinese

A governess is a highly skilled professional specializing in children’s upbringing and education, often holding certifications in teaching languages such as English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, or Chinese. Many of our governesses are experienced primary and secondary school teachers who transition into this role to provide tailored, one-on-one education. Typically, a native-speaking governess or bilingual governess for children comes with a strong background in the humanities or pedagogy and extensive experience working with children from 5 years old. Whether you need an English-speaking governess, a French-speaking governess, or an educational governess for hire to support bilingual education, our professionals are equipped to foster both academic excellence and personal growth in your child.

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What Are the Duties of a Governess?

The duties of a governess are clearly defined and agreed upon in the Employment Agreement before she starts her role. A private governess works closely with the parents, coordinating all activities to ensure they align with the family’s expectations and the child’s needs.

A governess’s responsibilities typically include educational activities tailored to the child’s age and personality, such as developing oral and written language skills, teaching basic mathematics and science, and providing language immersion for bilingual education. Additionally, governesses instill good manners and enforce discipline, fostering a well-rounded upbringing. They also accompany children on holiday trips, ensuring consistent educational engagement. It’s important to note that governesses focus on the child’s education and development, not on general childcare duties.

For families aiming for specific academic goals, a governess can prepare a child for admission to foreign universities or colleges. This type of educational governess for hire is a highly qualified professional, often specialized as a secondary school teacher, who focuses exclusively on teaching. These specialized elite governess services tend to be more costly due to the advanced level of education and preparation they provide.

Approximate Salary of a Governess

Highly qualified professionals, such as a British governess for hire or those offering exclusive governess services for high-net-worth individuals, typically command higher salaries due to their specialized skills and experience in providing elite governess services. Similarly, a governess who specializes in bilingual education or language immersion may also earn more, reflecting the demand for their unique expertise.

The salary of a native-speaking governess varies based on several factors, including: the number of children under her care, the length of the working day and overall schedule, the governess’s level of training, specialization, and experience.

On average, governess services cost
£1,300-1,600
(EUR 1,500-1,800) per week.

Working Conditions for a Governess

There are several employment options available for a governess, depending on the family’s needs and preferences:

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Full-Time Live-In Employment

Work schedule and salary

A standard work schedule for a full-time live-in governess typically includes an 8-hour workday, five days a week, with two days off.
Alternatively, some families prefer a shift schedule, such as 3 days of work followed by 3 days off.
If the governess works in extended shifts of a week or more, wages are still paid for non-working weeks, ensuring financial stability.
The average salary for a high-end governess ranges from £1,000 to £1,300 (approximately €1,500 to €1,800) per week, reflecting the value of luxury governess services.
Shifts can be extended by agreement, sometimes lasting several weeks in a row, but working hours are typically capped at no more than 40 hours per week to ensure a balanced work-life schedule.

Accommodation and Transport for a Governess

When employing a governess, certain accommodations and transport arrangements are typically covered to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience:

Travel Expenses: All travel expenses for the governess to arrive at the place of work are covered, including costs for gasoline, bus and train tickets, and air travel. This is particularly important for international governess placement where travel can be more complex.
Visa and Employment Costs: If the governess does not reside in your country, any necessary visa and other employment-related expenses are paid by the employer, ensuring compliance and ease of transition for expat families seeking governess services.
Local Transport: When the governess needs to accompany the child to classes, clubs, visits, or children’s events, transportation is provided, ensuring the child’s schedule is maintained without inconvenience.
Accommodation: A standard studio apartment is provided for the governess, offering a private, comfortable living space close to the family’s residence.
Meals: The governess is also provided with food, ensuring she is well-supported throughout her employment.

Rights and Obligations of a Governess

A governess plays a crucial role in a child’s education and upbringing, balancing her responsibilities with certain rights to ensure a fair working environment:

Educational Responsibilities: The governess conducts educational activities and lessons with the child that are appropriate for their age group, aligned with the school curriculum, and consistent with the education system. These activities are tailored to the specific goals set by the parents, ensuring a customized learning experience for each child. This can include specialized language immersion or bilingual education programs for families seeking advanced linguistic skills.
Right to Paid Leave: The governess is entitled to annual paid leave of one calendar month. By mutual agreement with the family, this vacation can be split into several parts, offering flexibility for both the governess and the employer.
Additional Duties: In addition to educational duties, the governess may be responsible for supervising the child during walks, accompanying them to various events, and ensuring their behavior and discipline are maintained in line with family expectations.

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Full-Time Live-Out and Part-Time Employment for Governesses

For families seeking more flexible arrangements, full-time live-out and part-time employment options for a governess are available:

Flexible Scheduling: A governess may visit the child for several hours a day, several times a week. The specific number of working days and hours is agreed upon in each case, offering flexibility to accommodate the family’s needs while ensuring it does not exceed 40 hours per week.
Travel Expenses: Typically, the governess is reimbursed for travel expenses to arrive at the place of work, including costs for gasoline, bus, and train tickets. This ensures that transportation costs are covered, making it easier for the governess to provide consistent care.
Local Transport: If the governess is required to accompany the child to classes, clubs, visits, or children’s events, transportation is provided, ensuring safe and reliable transit to all activities.
Compensation: The average salary for a part-time or live-out governess is approximately £60 (€70) per hour, reflecting the value of professional governess recruitment and the expertise they bring to the role.
Meals: The governess is provided with food during her working hours, ensuring she is well-supported while fulfilling her duties.

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Governess on Vacation - Temporary Contracts

For families needing short-term educational support, a governess on vacation is an ideal option. These temporary contracts offer flexible arrangements tailored to the family’s needs:

Customized Work Arrangements: The work schedule, living conditions, and wages for a vacation governess are agreed upon individually for each specific case, ensuring that all arrangements meet the family’s expectations. Generally, the pay rate and number of working hours align with the conditions of standard full-time live-in or live-out governess roles.
Seasonal Availability: Families can hire a governess during school holidays or summer vacations to maintain continuity in the child’s education and development. These temporary contracts are typically for a minimum of two weeks, providing focused and consistent educational support during breaks.