If you’re a high-net-worth family who wants to hire a household employee to help you with childcare, you may be wondering whether you should be hiring a nanny, a governess or a family assistant. As experts in household recruitment for luxury homes, we’ll explore the difference between the roles of a nanny, a governess and a family assistant in this blog, helping you to make an informed decision when it comes to who to hire.

Hiring a Nanny

Primary Responsibilities of a Nanny: Caring & Nuturing

A nanny is primarily responsible for the day-to-day care of children. This includes feeding, bathing, dressing, and ensuring the overall wellbeing of the children they are responsible for. Nannies are often involved in planning and supervising play activities, assisting with homework, and fostering a nurturing environment.

What to Look For When Hiring a Nanny:

When hiring a nanny, families should typically look for individuals with extensive childcare experience, certifications in child care or early childhood education, and a genuine passion for working with children. Nannies should possess excellent communication skills, patience, and creativity. If you’re considering hiring a nanny, have a read of our blog on what to include in a job description for a nanny position.

How a Nanny Can Be Beneficial for High-Net-Worth Families:

In luxury households, nannies often go beyond basic childcare. They might manage children’s schedules, coordinate with other household staff, and sometimes even travel with the family. For high-net-worth families, hiring a nanny means finding someone who can seamlessly integrate into their lifestyle, offering flexibility and reliability that other types of childcare can’t. Using an agency like My Household Managed who specialises in hiring nannies for high-net-worth families can help you find a long-term successful hire, who will understand what your needs are for your family. Read more about the benefits of using a household recruitment or nanny recruitment agency here.

Hiring a Governess

Primary Responsibilities of a Governess: Education and Development

Unlike a nanny, a governess’ main focus is on the educational development of the children. This role involves teaching, tutoring, and providing intellectual stimulation. Governesses are often responsible for homeschooling or supplementing the children's traditional education with additional learning activities. They generally will not tend to children’s other needs and so it may be required for you to hire two people if a governess is something you are looking for.

What to Look For When Hiring a Governess:

Hiring a governess requires finding someone with a strong educational background, often with a degree in education or a related field. They should have experience in teaching or tutoring and possess a deep understanding of child development and pedagogy. Creativity, patience, and the ability to engage children in learning are essential traits. Finding someone who can work with your child to get the best out of them educationally and adapt to their learning needs will be essential.

How a Governess Can Be Beneficial for High-Net-Worth Families:

For high-net-worth families, hiring a governess can provide a bespoke educational experience tailored to the children’s needs. Governesses often bring a level of cultural and educational enrichment that aligns with the family’s values and goals. They may also accompany the family on travels, ensuring continuity in the children’s education regardless of location. Hiring a tutor could also be a possible option for you if you are looking to hire someone who could complement your child’s education outside of the traditional school environment.

Hiring a Family Assistant

Primary Responsibilities of a Family Assistant: Comprehensive Support

A family assistant is a versatile role that combines elements of childcare, administrative support, and household management. Their duties might include coordinating schedules, managing household errands, supervising other household staff, and providing assistance with children’s activities and homework. However, given that a family assistant is a typically hybrid role between house manager/nanny, you cannot expect a family assistant to be able to do as much childcare as you may expect from a nanny. If you have young children and childcare if your main priority, hiring a nanny may be a better fit for you. Read more about the difference between a family assistant and a house manager here.

What to Look For When Hiring a Family Assistant:

When hiring a family assistant, families need to look for individuals with a diverse skill set. Organizational skills, multitasking abilities, and experience in household management are critical. A family assistant should be adaptable, resourceful, and possess excellent interpersonal skills to handle various tasks and interactions. Who to hire as a family assistant will vary hugely depending on the family who are hiring, and the duties they need fulfilling - this is why it’s so important to create a good job description.

How a Family Assistant Can Be Beneficial for High-Net Worth Families:

High-net-worth families often hire family assistants to ensure seamless household operations. A family assistant acts as a right-hand person to the parents, managing both childcare and administrative tasks. This role is particularly valuable in busy households where parents have demanding schedules and need a reliable individual to handle diverse responsibilities efficiently. Again, it may be that if you are hiring a family assistant, that you may need to hire a nanny or outsource other parts of your childcare also.

Making the Right Choice Between A Nanny, Governess or Family Assistant

Choosing between a nanny, a governess, and a family assistant depends on your family’s specific needs and lifestyle. Here are some considerations to help you decide when looking to hire a household employee:

Childcare Needs:
- If your primary concern is providing nurturing care and managing daily activities for young children, hiring a nanny is the best option.
- If you seek focused educational support and enrichment, particularly for school-aged children, a governess will be more suitable.
- If you require comprehensive support that includes childcare, administrative tasks, and household management, a family assistant will be the ideal choice.
Educational Requirements:
- For families prioritizing education and intellectual development, hiring a governess with a strong teaching background is essential.
- For general childcare and developmental activities, a nanny with experience and relevant certifications is appropriate.
Household Dynamics:
- Consider the structure and dynamics of your household. A family assistant can provide more integrated support across various aspects of household management.
- For families with multiple children and complex schedules, a nanny or governess can provide dedicated attention to the children’s needs.

Should I Hire a Nanny, Governess or Family Assistant?

For high-net-worth families, the decision to hire a nanny, governess, or family assistant is significant. Each role brings unique skills and advantages, tailored to different aspects of family life. By understanding the distinctions between the roles and aligning them with your family’s needs, you are more likely to find a successful longer-term hire and in turn, benefit from a well-managed household. Whether you are hiring a nanny to provide high-quality childcare, a governess to enrich your children’s education, or a family assistant to offer comprehensive support, the right choice will enhance your family's quality of life and ensure a thriving home environment.

Not sure where to start with hiring a new family assistant, house manager or nanny?

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We help you hire domestic staff qualified to fit your unique needs, saving you time and providing peace of mind.

Let us help you find the best family assistant, house manager, nanny or any other domestic employee you may be searching for and register with My Household Managed.