What is a Governess?

You’ve got work stress on your shoulders yet, there are household duties you have to attend. Perhaps a governess can help! How can she?
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A governess is an educated young woman whom you employ to train your school-age child. She is not a nanny! A governess’ primary role isn’t caring for the physical needs of your child. What then is her role?

Roles and tasks of a governess: how can she help you?

Gets your kids ready for school

Firstly, she will ensure that your ward is well-dressed for school. Forgotten homework! Failure to bring class projects! Those excuses won’t happen to your kid under the care of a governess.

​Lastly, and most importantly, a governess puts your child in the right mental state to cope with the academic rigours of the day. Remember! She’s more than a tutor. She’s also your child’s friend. And friends always lighten each other’s mood.

Assists Your Child With His/Her Homework

After school, a governess ensures that your child retrieves her homework. Not only that, but she also liaises with teachers to identify your ward’s strength and weaknesses. That way, your hired governess knows what subjects or topics your child needs help with the most. What next?

Collaborates With You to Determine Your Child’s Educational Needs

To fully ascertain your child’s educational gaps, a governess also collaborates with you. She discusses house chores, nap, and reading requirements. From there, your hired governess designs a timetable for your child. She plans then factors time for homework, reading, and playing.

Organizes Edutainment Outings for Your Ward

Even when your child plays, who says s/he can’t learn simultaneously! Governesses are generally intellects. They are well versed in academics as they are in fun activities: music in particular.
Your governess can arrange a musical fair (or any other fun outing) for your kid outside school. Doing so, she will stimulate the creativity and people-skill in your child. What an educational play!
Wait a minute! You already have a nanny, why employ a governess and spend more! Can’t a nanny perform the duties of a governess?

Differences between governesses and nannies

Primary role

Governesses and nannies both want the best for a child. And that’s all the semblance there is to them.
While a nanny tends to the grooming of your child, a governess works on your child’s educational needs. Another thing is the age of the child. Nannies care for babies. Governesses, on the other hand, only handle kids aged five and above.

Qualities

Nannies generally do not need specialized training. That’s not saying nannies are illiterate. Their job role doesn’t require any academic qualifications of any sort. All there is to a nanny role is childcare.

However, the case is different for a governess. Do you know that the early-year governesses were middle-class (or upper-class in a slur) women looking for extra income?

​Governesses have rich academic backgrounds: They speak various languages and handle several musical instruments. As such, governesses are well-suited to help with your charge’s education and social conduct.

In all, both nannies and governesses have separate duties. And it’s best that you employ the two for the optimum growth and development of your child.