• Location: West London, W6
• Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 1:00pm–8:00pm, plus extensive travel during school holidays
• Salary: £70,000+ gross per annum, depending on experience
• Start Date: ASAP

Quintessential Governess is seeking an experienced, warm and engaging Live-Out Governess to join a relaxed and informal American family in West London, caring for two children aged 4 and 5.

The family is looking for someone fun, light-hearted, calm and loving, with plenty of energy to keep up with two active children. They would particularly value someone highly experienced who has “seen it all and heard it all” and has the confidence and intuition to read the room, knowing when to step in, when their support is needed and when to give the children space.

The parents place a strong emphasis on communication and respectful parenting. They encourage their children to develop strong communication skills and favour natural consequences rather than punishment. They are looking for a Governess who can establish firm and consistent boundaries while remaining kind, respectful, patient and loving, and who can be assertive when required in a calm, positive and light-hearted way.

The family is active and health-conscious and would like their Governess to share these values and be a positive role model for the children, particularly around healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

This is an informal and relaxed household with a full-time housekeeper. The position will involve extensive international travel during school holidays, predominantly to the USA, alongside some European travel. Occasional proxy parenting will also be required.

The family has a small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and two cats, so it is important that the Governess is an animal lover and comfortable working in a home with pets.

Above all, the family is looking for genuine longevity. They would love to find someone who can grow with the children and remain with them for many years, becoming a trusted and valued part of family life while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Oversee the children’s educational, developmental and pastoral needs.
• Support homework, reading, school projects and wider academic development.
• Monitor the children’s educational progress and identify any gaps in their learning.
• Proactively source appropriate resources and activities to address areas requiring additional support.
• Liaise with schools, teachers, tutors and other educational professionals as required.
• Plan engaging, stimulating and age-appropriate educational and recreational activities.
• Encourage independence, confidence and strong communication skills.
• Maintain clear and consistent boundaries in line with the family’s respectful parenting approach.
• Support the parents’ preference for natural consequences rather than punitive discipline.
• Manage the children’s diaries, schedules, appointments and extracurricular activities.
• Take responsibility for the children’s wardrobe management and general organisation.
• Ensure school uniforms, clothing, equipment and belongings are organised and prepared.
• Prepare simple, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for the children.
• Work collaboratively with the family’s full-time housekeeper.
• Travel extensively with the family during school holidays, predominantly to the USA and throughout Europe.
• Undertake occasional proxy parenting and take full responsibility for the children when required.
• Maintain a calm, positive and well-organised environment for the children.
• Adapt responsibilities as the children grow and their educational and developmental needs evolve.

• Native English speaker.
• Relevant teaching or education qualification, or substantial equivalent experience working as a Private Governess or Educator.
• Strong previous experience working with children of a similar age.
• Excellent understanding of children’s education and development.
• Confident identifying gaps in learning and sourcing appropriate educational resources.
• Experienced liaising with schools, teachers, tutors and other educational professionals.
• Warm, calm, patient and loving.
• Fun and light-hearted, with plenty of energy to keep up with active children.
• Emotionally intelligent and intuitive, with the ability to read the room and know when to step in.
• Assertive when required while remaining kind, respectful and positive.
• Able to establish firm and consistent boundaries.
• Aligned with respectful parenting, strong communication and natural consequences.
• Active and health-conscious, with a good understanding of healthy nutrition.
• Comfortable preparing simple, nutritious meals for the children.
• Highly organised, proactive and adaptable.
• Comfortable with extensive international travel and occasional proxy parenting.
• Animal lover and comfortable around dogs and cats.
• A second language would be a bonus.
• Seeking a genuinely long-term position and willing to grow with the family.

• Salary: £70,000+ gross per annum, depending on experience.
• Holiday: 28 days.
• Car: A car can be provided for a candidate who drives, with personal use included.