Are you considering a career in private childcare and curious about working for high net worth families? You might be unsure whether a governess or VIP nanny role is the right fit for you. If that sounds like you, it’s essential to understand the key differences between these two in-demand roles and which one aligns best with your skills, personality, and lifestyle goals.
I’ve spent the last fifteen years working for high net worth families in both roles. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand the unique expectations, exciting perks, and challenges that come with life in luxury households.
Which Role Is Best For You?
In this post, I’ll guide you through what each role typically involves when working for high net worth families, from daily responsibilities and travel expectations to the professional qualities these families are really looking for.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which role suits you best and how to begin your own transition into a rewarding career in private childcare.
What Is a Governess or Governor?
In a modern private household, a governess is more than just a tutor. This role is focused on education, development and structure, typically working with school-aged children in a one-to-one or small group setting. While nannies often support a child’s emotional and physical wellbeing, a governess is primarily responsible for their academic progress.
When working for high net worth families, a governess is usually expected to take charge of the child’s educational programme, whether that means supplementing schoolwork, preparing them for entrance exams or delivering a full home education plan. These roles are especially common in families who travel frequently, require discretion or value a bespoke, child-centred approach to learning.
Core Responsibilities of a Modern Governess or Governor
A governess or governor role can vary depending on the family’s needs, but some responsibilities are common across most positions:
• Planning and delivering tailored lessons in subjects such as English, maths, science and languages
• Liaising with parents, tutors and schools to ensure consistency and progress
• Monitoring educational milestones and adapting the curriculum accordingly
• Incorporating the child’s interests into lessons to encourage engagement
• Supporting homework, revision or school entrance preparation
• Maintaining an organised learning environment within the home or while travelling
When I worked with a family in the South of France, one of the children was fascinated by marine life. I built a mini science unit around ocean habitats, which we explored through books, experiments and a trip to an aquarium. It’s this kind of personalisation that families value when hiring a governess and one of the reasons I found the role so rewarding.
Working in Luxury Households
Governesses working for high net worth families, may find themselves based in prestigious locations. You may find yourself travelling internationally or educating children aboard yachts or private estates overseas as many families own multiple properties. This was a world far removed from my own, and it felt incredibly exciting to step into it, especially knowing I was being paid to have such unforgettable experiences.
These households often have high expectations for professionalism, flexibility and discretion. You may work alongside other staff such as nannies, chefs or drivers, and be expected to adapt to the routines and preferences of the family.
While the role can be demanding, it also offers significant rewards. The role gives you:
- the ability to teach in a focused environment
- build strong relationships with the children
- see real academic progress.
Therefore becoming a fulfilling career path for former teachers or early years professionals.
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like a more in-depth look at what being a governess really involves and why teachers are often a perfect fit, I’ve written a full post about it. You can read it here: What Is A Governess or Governor and Why Teachers Make The Best Ones.
What Is a VIP Nanny?
A VIP nanny works within private households that are often fast-paced, high-profile and well-resourced. Traditional nanny roles typically focus on one home and one schedule. Whereas a VIP nanny, will work across multiple residences, travel frequently and be expected to adapt quickly to the needs of the family.
These roles are common when working for high net worth families. These families require a high level of professionalism, discretion and flexibility. The nanny becomes an essential part of the household. Often entrusted with the wellbeing and daily care of the children, especially when parents have demanding careers, or are frequently away from the family home.
Traditional nannies usually stay local and follow a familiar routine. However, VIP nannies can often find themselves flying across time zones, supporting children through international schooling transitions or ensuring consistency during long-term travel. It is not uncommon to travel alone with the children to meet the parents at another residence overseas.
Responsibilities of a VIP Nanny
Although every family is different, most VIP nanny roles generally include the following responsibilities:
• Planning and maintaining daily routines, including meals, nap times and outings
• Managing nursery duties such as washing, organising toys, and maintaining a clean, safe environment
• Travelling with the family, often at short notice, and adapting routines to new time zones and locations
• Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, social development and independence
• Collaborating with other household staff such as chefs, housekeepers or personal assistants
• Maintaining absolute discretion, especially when working with high-profile families
Key Differences Between the Roles: Governess vs. VIP Nanny
When working for high net worth families, the lines between a governess and a VIP nanny can sometimes appear blurred. However, the daily responsibilities, focus areas, and overall approach to childcare differ significantly. Understanding these differences can help you decide which role aligns best with your experience, personality, and preferred working style.
Governess: Structured, Academic, Education-Focused
A governess’s day typically centres around structured learning and educational progress. A number of my own governess roles have been with toddlers and pre-schoolers. My role was to teach them English and prepare them for entry into English speaking schools both in their home countries and in the UK. Quite a number of governess roles involve school-aged children, so your schedule is likely to follow a curriculum-based routine that mirrors or complements traditional schooling.
A day in the life of a governess might include:
- 8:00am: Review and prepare lesson materials for the day
- 9:00am: Begin morning lessons – maths, reading, science
- 11:30am: Educational outing or project work (museum visit, science experiment, language immersion activity)
- 1:00pm: Lunch and free time for the child
- 2:00pm: Creative studies – music, art, or hands-on learning
- 4:00pm: Homework support or entrance exam preparation
- 5:00pm: Liaise with parents or tutors to report on progress
There is usually a strong emphasis on consistency, tracking academic milestones, and nurturing the child’s intellectual development in a private, one-to-one setting.
VIP Nanny: Whole-Child Care, Routines, and Play-Based Learning
I have also had a number of VIP nanny’s roles and each one slightly different to the last. A VIP nanny role is broader in terms of care, but more fluid when it comes to structure. Most VIP nannies work with younger children or across wider age groups and are responsible for supporting the child’s physical, emotional, and social development throughout the day.
A typical VIP nanny day might look like:
- 7:30am: Morning routine – breakfast, dressing, and preparing for the day
- 9:00am: Outing to a playgroup, soft play, or educational class
- 12:00pm: Lunch and nap time
- 2:00pm: Creative or sensory play at home
- 4:00pm: Outdoor time – garden play, walk, or visiting a local park
- 6:00pm: Dinner, bath time, and bedtime routine
You’re not just managing the daily flow, you’re creating a nurturing environment that helps the child feel secure and confident, even when jet-lagged, travelling, or adapting to new surroundings.
Which Role Suits Which Type of Professional?
When working for high net worth families, both governess and VIP nanny roles offer incredible opportunities, but they do require different strengths, temperaments, and career backgrounds. Understanding where your own skills and interests lie, can help you choose the path that’s most rewarding for you.
You Might Thrive as a Governess If…
The governess role is ideal for professionals with a strong background in teaching, particularly those who thrive on structure, planning, and academic development.
You’ll likely enjoy becoming a governess if:
- You’re a qualified teacher or EYFS professional who loves creating lesson plans and tracking progress
- You enjoy working with school-aged children and seeing lightbulb moments during learning
- You prefer one-to-one teaching where you can tailor your approach to an individual child’s needs
- You value structure, clear objectives, and academic routines
- You’re confident designing creative, curriculum-based learning around real-life experiences
- You enjoy liaising with parents, tutors, and schools to ensure educational consistency
Signs this is your perfect match:
If your favourite part of teaching was designing interactive units or helping a struggling child finally “get” a tricky concept, you’ll probably love life as a governess. I know I certainly did. Finally I was able to love teaching without the pressure of behaviour management or endless paperwork. It felt like I could use the best parts of my skill set: creativity, structure and personalised teaching. All of this in a calm and often luxurious setting, where I could actually see my impact, every single day.
You Might Flourish as a VIP Nanny If…
The VIP nanny role is better suited to childcare professionals who are deeply nurturing, flexible, and passionate about supporting a child’s overall development, especially in the early years.
You’ll likely love being a VIP nanny if:
- You enjoy caring for younger children and watching them grow through routines, play, and nurture
- You’re a qualified nanny, nursery nurse, or early years professional who thrives on creating calm, supportive environments
- You prefer hands-on caregiving and forming strong emotional bonds with children
- You’re highly adaptable and don’t mind last-minute travel plans or schedule changes
- You’re discreet, emotionally intelligent, and comfortable working as part of a household team
- You enjoy play-based learning, sensory activities, and supporting children’s independence
Signs this is your perfect match:
If you find joy in soothing a fussy toddler, love planning messy play sessions, or take pride in helping little ones hit big milestones, a VIP nanny role may be exactly what you’re looking for. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my governess roles, I have also loved my VIP nanny roles and have seamlessly transitioned between them.
Which One Are You Drawn To?
Ultimately, both roles require commitment, flexibility, and a deep love of working with children. But choosing the right one means thinking honestly about what you enjoy most in your day-to-day work.
- Do you feel most satisfied after a productive, structured day filled with educational breakthroughs?
👉 You’re probably more suited to a governess role. - Does your heart light up when you comfort a toddler, make a child laugh, or help them feel secure in new surroundings?
👉 You may be destined to become a VIP nanny.
Not Sure Which Role Is Right for You?
If you’re a teacher exploring life beyond the classroom and wondering whether becoming a private governess is the right fit, I’ve created a free guide just for you.
Download my FREE Teacher to Governess Mini Guide – it’s packed with practical advice on how to transition from teaching to high-paying, one-to-one roles in private education. You’ll discover what high net worth families are really looking for and how to take your first steps into this rewarding new career path.
Interested in VIP nannying instead?
I’ll be releasing a dedicated guide soon for aspiring VIP nannies, so stay tuned, or join my Facebook group to be the first to know when it’s live! classroom to playroom community
Travel, Flexibility, and Lifestyle Perks
One of the most exciting aspects of working for high net worth families is the lifestyle that comes with the job. Whether you’re a governess or a VIP nanny, both roles can offer access to incredible travel opportunities, luxury homes, and experiences that go far beyond the ordinary.
I’ll never forget my first governess position, it was a world away from my old life as a classroom teacher living in a modest house in a regular UK town. Suddenly, I was working in a luxury gated house with security, supporting children through bespoke lessons in an environment I could only have dreamed of. It was both surreal and exhilarating, and I couldn’t believe I was being paid to do what I loved in such incredible settings.
That said, the nature of the travel and the expectations around it, can vary quite a bit depending on your role.
Governess Travel: Structured Schedules, World-Class Locations
As a governess, travel tends to be more planned and purposeful. You’re often brought along to ensure educational continuity while the family moves between residences, goes on extended holidays, or lives seasonally in different locations. Lessons continue, even if the setting changes from a London townhouse to a ski chalet in the Alps.
In one role, I was flown to the South of France to deliver a summer term of home education, preparing twin girls for entry into an international school. While they spoke English fluently, their reading and writing needed focused support to help them pass the entrance assessments and meet the school’s academic requirements.
We had a dedicated learning space within the villa, and mornings were structured around tailored lessons followed by afternoon enrichment activities, visits to local historical sites, French language practice and weaving in science lessons whilst playing on the beach. It was structured, enriching, and an incredible privilege to combine teaching with travel in such a meaningful way.
VIP Nanny Travel: High-Speed, High-Expectation Adventures
In contrast, VIP nannying often comes with less predictability and more spontaneity. You may be asked to pack a bag and board a plane with little notice, support children through multiple time zones in a single week, or temporarily relocate with them for months at a time. Flexibility is key, and you’re expected to keep children settled and secure, no matter the setting.
In one role, I flew back to the UK with two children on my own after the summer break. I was responsible for getting them fully prepared to start the new school term. I organised uniforms, bought new shoes, and made sure they were ready both practically and emotionally for the transition back into their school routine.
Perks That Come With the Territory
In both roles, the perks can be extraordinary:
- Access to five-star resorts and private villas
- Business class or private jet travel
- Private chefs, chauffeurs, and housekeepers
- Invitations to exclusive events, cultural outings, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences
- A deep level of trust and responsibility within the household
But these perks are balanced by high expectations: discretion, adaptability, and professionalism at all times. You’re not on holiday, you’re working in an elite environment where standards are high, and your role is essential to family life running smoothly.
Pay and Professional Development
When working for high net worth families, both governess and VIP nanny roles offer excellent financial and professional rewards, though the structure of each may differ.
Governesses often command higher salaries, particularly if they have teaching qualifications and experience in curriculum planning or home education. Many positions include formal contracts, long-term placements, and structured working hours, making this a stable and well-respected career path for former teachers.
VIP nannies may also receive generous compensation, with perks like luxury travel, accommodation, bonuses, and access to household resources. Some roles offer travel allowances, personal development budgets, or opportunities to train in areas such as first aid, nutrition, or child psychology, especially when working in international or high-profile households.
What do families look for?
Across both roles, families typically seek:
- Professionalism and discretion
- Strong communication skills
- A genuine passion for working with children
- The ability to adapt to fast-paced, high-standard environments
- Relevant qualifications and experience (education or childcare)
Whether you choose the governess or VIP nanny route, both roles can open the door to a rewarding, well-paid career with international opportunities and the chance to truly make a difference in a child’s life.
Final Thoughts – Which Role Is Right for You?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly serious about finding a meaningful role in private childcare and that’s a brilliant place to start.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Do you love teaching and structured routines?
- Or do you thrive in nurturing, play-based environments with younger children?
- Are you excited by the idea of international travel and luxury households?
- Or are you seeking a stable, long-term role that uses your professional training to its fullest?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is finding the path that aligns with your strengths, personality, and lifestyle goals.
Ready to Explore More?
Download Your Free Mini Guide:
If you’re a teacher curious about becoming a private governess, grab my FREE Teacher to Governess Mini Guide to discover how your skills can lead to a more flexible, rewarding, and well-paid career.
Are you interested in VIP nannying instead?
My upcoming VIP Nanny Career Roadmap will walk you through everything you need to get started, from agencies and contracts to interview prep and trial success. Stay tuned!
📚 Explore related blog posts:
- What Is a Governess and Why Teachers Make the Best Ones
- Transferable Skills That Make Teachers Ideal for Governess or Governor Roles
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just exploring your options, you’ll find practical advice and real-life insight across my blog.
Your next chapter in private childcare starts here.
