International Nanny, Governess and Governor Recruitment
Discreet International Recruitment for Professionals Entrusted with Your Children
Very Important Personnel recruits exceptional nannies, governesses, governors, early-years educators and private tutors for internationally mobile families, private households and family offices worldwide.
Every search is managed as a confidential appointment. We take into account the child’s individual needs, the family’s educational philosophy, household protocols, travel calendar, security considerations, cultural environment and expectations of professional conduct.
We do not circulate volumes of unconfirmed profiles. Before an introduction is made, each candidate must confirm current availability, acceptance of the proposed terms, suitability for the schedule and genuine interest in the specific appointment.
We review professional history, assess relevant childcare or educational experience, verify available references and document material inconsistencies identified during the process. The family receives a carefully selected shortlist supported by our professional observations.
Confidential search. Considered introductions. Appointments designed for long-term trust.
Beyond Recruitment: Protecting the Family’s Private Environment
A nanny, governess or governor may become one of the professionals with the closest access to a family’s children, residences, routines and private life. Technical competence is therefore only one part of a successful appointment.
Our assessment considers professional judgement, emotional maturity, discretion, safeguarding awareness, communication style, respect for parental authority and the ability to operate appropriately within a sophisticated private household.
Every Search May Consider
- the child’s age, personality, development and individual requirements;
- daily routines, medical guidance and specific care arrangements;
- the parents’ educational philosophy and household values;
- academic, linguistic and cultural objectives;
- safeguarding, privacy and security expectations;
- international travel, multiple residences and changing time zones;
- live-in, live-out and rotational schedules;
- interaction with parents, teachers, medical professionals and household staff;
- reporting lines through a Principal, Personal Assistant, Estate Manager or Family Office;
- confidentiality, digital conduct and professional boundaries;
- rules governing photographs, social media and mobile-device use;
- performance expectations and criteria for a successful appointment.
The outcome is a bespoke position profile reflecting the family’s actual requirements—not a generic description of an “ideal candidate”.
Childcare and Education Professionals We Recruit
Newborn Care Specialist and Maternity Nanny
We recruit professionals experienced in newborn care, feeding and sleep routines, hygiene, bathing, nursery organisation and the creation of a calm, safe environment.
Particular attention is given to first-aid knowledge, communication with parents and medical advisers, accurate daily reporting and the ability to remain composed when the baby’s condition or routine changes.
Toddler Nanny
A toddler nanny supports the child’s safety, daily routine, nutrition, hygiene, play, language development and growing independence.
We assess the candidate’s ability to form a secure connection, encourage development, establish appropriate boundaries and follow the family’s preferred approach without intimidation, physical punishment or demeaning communication.
Early-Years Educator Nanny
An early-years educator combines attentive care with age-appropriate developmental activities supporting language, attention, memory, motor skills, creativity and social confidence.
We consider not only formal qualifications, but also the professional’s ability to adapt educational methods to the individual child and the family’s wider objectives.
Nanny-Governess
A nanny-governess combines daily care with structured educational support for preschool and school-age children. Responsibilities may include timetable organisation, language development, reading, homework, activities, etiquette and preparation for travel.
Governess
A governess focuses on education, cultural development and refined everyday conduct. The appointment may involve foreign languages, literature, art, etiquette, school preparation and coordination of the child’s academic workload.
We align the candidate’s educational approach with the parents’ principles, the selected curriculum and the expectations of the family’s schools and advisers.
Governor and Private Mentor
A governor may support academic progress, discipline, confidence, sport, cultural awareness and the development of independence.
The search is designed around the family’s objectives, which may include language immersion, international-school support, examination preparation, travel, etiquette or broader mentorship.
Private Tutor
A private tutor develops an individual academic strategy, organises workload, monitors progress and supports preparation for school or university admission.
Where required, the tutor may liaise with schools, subject teachers, educational consultants and admissions advisers within a communication framework approved by the parents.
Rotational Nanny or Governess
Rotational appointments require resilience, consistency and disciplined collaboration. We assess shift handovers, reporting standards, respect for colleagues and the ability to maintain one coherent childcare system across rotations.
Travelling Nanny
We recruit internationally mobile professionals experienced in commercial and private aviation, hotels, yachts, multiple residences and changing schedules.
Assessment may include travel documentation, packing and logistics, adaptation of routines across time zones, discretion during extended proximity to the family and the ability to provide continuity in unfamiliar environments.
Nanny and Family Assistant
Depending on the appointment, responsibilities may include managing children’s schedules, arranging lessons, preparing belongings for travel, purchasing children’s items and coordinating with schools, doctors and activity providers.
Every additional responsibility is defined before the search begins to preserve clarity, accountability and appropriate professional boundaries.
Expertise for Every Stage of Childhood and Education
For a Newborn
Priorities include safe and responsive care, feeding, sleep, hygiene, nursery organisation and attentive observation of the baby’s wellbeing.
For a Toddler
Emotional security, speech and motor development, consistent routines, appropriate boundaries and the gradual development of independence are central.
For a Preschool Child
The professional creates a stimulating environment supporting language, creativity, communication, confidence, social development and preparation for school.
For a School-Age Child
Priorities may include timetable management, academic support, foreign languages, cultural enrichment, extracurricular activities and increasing personal responsibility.
For a Teenager
The appointment may focus on academic strategy, organisation, examinations, university preparation, international mobility and respectful mentorship without intrusive supervision.
Multilingual Nannies, Governesses, Governors and Tutors
We recruit native-speaking and bilingual professionals for families seeking natural language immersion, educational continuity across countries or support within a multilingual household.
English-Speaking Professionals
An English-speaking nanny, governess, governor or tutor may develop fluency through everyday communication, reading, sport, creative activities and structured academic work.
Where relevant, we consider the child’s curriculum, school requirements, preferred pronunciation and cultural context.
French-Speaking Professionals
A French-speaking governess, governor or nanny can support natural fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary and cultural understanding through daily and educational interaction.
Mandarin-Speaking Professionals
A Mandarin-speaking nanny, governess or tutor may introduce spoken language, pronunciation, characters and cultural context. The balance between natural immersion and structured instruction is determined by the child’s age and proficiency.
Other Languages
International searches may be undertaken for professionals speaking Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian and other languages, subject to the family’s requirements and the availability of appropriately qualified candidates.
Language claims are assessed in relation to the appointment. Fluency alone is not sufficient where the family requires the professional to deliver defined educational outcomes.
Professional History Assurance
Private staffing markets contain archived, repeatedly circulated and sometimes inaccurate profiles. An apparently suitable CV may conceal outdated availability, unclear employment dates, inaccessible referees or unwillingness to accept the actual conditions of the appointment.
Before Introducing a Candidate, We May
- confirm current availability and interest in the specific appointment;
- discuss responsibilities, schedule, location and reporting structure;
- confirm compensation expectations and contractual priorities;
- establish readiness for travel, relocation, live-in or rotational work;
- analyse the chronology and consistency of professional experience;
- review available qualifications and supporting documents;
- contact available referees with the candidate’s authorisation;
- compare stated duties with information provided by referees;
- clarify reasons for leaving previous appointments where disclosure is possible;
- assess discretion, professional boundaries and confidentiality awareness;
- document material discrepancies identified during the process;
- inform the client of relevant limitations or risks before appointment.
Professional History Assurance describes our controlled approach to reviewing available information. It does not represent an absolute guarantee that every statement made by a candidate or referee is complete or accurate.
Where enhanced background or security screening is required, appropriate independent providers may be engaged subject to the candidate’s consent, applicable law and the agreed scope of the assignment.
We verify available information, compare the facts and disclose material discrepancies identified during the search.
How We Assess Candidates
Impressive experience does not by itself establish suitability for a particular child, family or private household.
Our Structured Assessment May Consider
- understanding of age-specific developmental and emotional needs;
- approach to safeguarding, safety and everyday care;
- response to distress, refusal and unexpected changes to routine;
- approach to discipline, boundaries and digital devices;
- ability to follow parental instructions and household protocols;
- emotional resilience and professional judgement;
- language proficiency and quality of communication;
- respect for privacy, confidentiality and family security;
- awareness of professional boundaries;
- ability to receive feedback and adapt appropriately;
- ability to cooperate with an established household team;
- discipline in reporting and handover procedures;
- readiness for international travel and changing environments.
Scenario-based questions help us understand how a candidate makes decisions in routine, sensitive and unexpected circumstances—not merely how the candidate describes previous experience.
We do not recommend a candidate where significant concerns arise regarding safeguarding, integrity, discretion or treatment of the child, irrespective of other professional strengths.
Our Recruitment Process
1. Confidential Consultation
We consult directly with the Principals or their authorised representative, such as a Personal Assistant, Chief of Staff, Estate Manager, Private Office or Family Office executive.
We define the family’s priorities, the child’s needs, household environment, schedule, educational objectives, language requirements, travel arrangements, reporting lines and standards of confidentiality.
2. Bespoke Position Profile
We prepare a written profile covering essential competencies, preferred attributes, boundaries of responsibility, employment conditions and criteria for a successful probationary period.
We accept a limited number of assignments and commence the search once the engagement terms have been agreed.
3. International Search and Preliminary Selection
Our search may draw upon our professional network, trusted referrals, direct outreach, specialist communities and international recruitment channels.
No profile is presented before the candidate’s availability, acceptance of the principal terms and genuine interest in the appointment have been confirmed.
4. Structured Interviews and References
We review the candidate’s career chronology, conduct structured interviews and contact available referees. We compare employment dates, responsibilities, the ages of children cared for, reasons for departure and standards of professional performance.
5. Presentation of Selected Candidates
The client receives a carefully considered shortlist accompanied by relevant professional information, verified details, our observations and any matters requiring further examination.
6. Family Interviews and Practical Assessment
We coordinate interviews, meetings and appropriately structured trial arrangements. Assessment may consider rapport with the child, safeguarding awareness, communication, discretion, compliance with instructions and interaction with the wider household team.
7. Offer and Appointment
We help coordinate the offer, start date, employment terms, notice period, required documentation, relocation and travel arrangements where applicable.
Before commencement, responsibilities, schedules, overtime, travel expectations, reporting procedures, annual leave, confidentiality and probationary criteria should be documented clearly.
8. Onboarding and Post-Placement Support
Depending on the selected service, we support the professional’s introduction to the household, clarify expectations and help address practical or performance-related issues during the initial period.
Recruitment Service Options
Private Recruitment
A focused recruitment service for a clearly defined appointment with established responsibilities, conditions and reporting lines.
The service includes a qualification briefing, preparation of the position profile, targeted search, preliminary assessment, structured interviews, review of available documents and references, presentation of selected candidates and coordination of interviews.
Our distinction lies in disciplined preliminary selection. We do not present a candidate until current availability, acceptance of the principal terms and genuine interest in the appointment have been confirmed.
Managed Executive Search
An enhanced search for families and private offices requiring greater discretion, wider international reach and closer management of appointment and integration risks.
This format may be appropriate for newborn care, multiple children, rotational teams, frequent international travel, strict confidentiality, specialised educational objectives, relocation or appointments spanning several residences.
The service may include:
- in-depth consultation with the family or its representative;
- a bespoke position and competency profile;
- confidential international search and direct outreach;
- detailed analysis of professional history;
- verification of multiple available references;
- assessment of safeguarding and developmental knowledge;
- evaluation of compatibility with the family’s principles and household structure;
- a written professional assessment of selected candidates;
- coordination and evaluation of practical assessments;
- a tailored onboarding framework;
- support during the probationary period;
- replacement provisions subject to the engagement agreement.
Private Recruitment is designed to fill a clearly defined position. Managed Executive Search provides a more comprehensive framework for appointments where confidentiality, complexity and long-term compatibility require closer professional management.
Additional Advisory Services
Additional services may be commissioned according to the needs of the family or private office:
- independent psychological assessment by an appropriately qualified professional;
- preparation of a detailed job description;
- household protocols, confidentiality documents and NDAs;
- rotational handover procedures;
- daily, weekly or travel reporting templates;
- emergency procedures for accident or illness;
- protocols for travel, digital devices, photography and social media;
- review of arrangements involving multiple childcare professionals;
- onboarding and post-placement support;
- professional development and household-specific training.
Specialist background, security or legal checks may be conducted by independent providers where appropriate and legally permitted. We can assist with the transfer of agreed information subject to consent and applicable data-protection requirements.
Assessments and reference checks can reduce appointment risk but cannot guarantee an individual’s future conduct or performance.
Recruitment for Family Offices and Private Offices
We work directly with Principals and families, or through authorised representatives including Personal Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, Estate Managers, household HR professionals and Family Offices.
For internationally distributed residences and complex household structures, our work may include:
- defining the role within the existing private-service structure;
- aligning responsibilities, authority and reporting lines;
- confidential international search;
- coordination across multiple residences and jurisdictions;
- development of household and childcare protocols;
- organisation of rotational handovers;
- onboarding and professional integration;
- training and standardisation;
- ongoing private household HR support.
The client retains control of all appointment decisions while we manage the specialist search, assessment, verification of available information and coordination of the process.
Discuss a Confidential Appointment
Tell us about your family’s requirements, the child’s age and routine, preferred language, educational objectives, locations, travel calendar and expectations for the professional.
We will define the appointment, recommend an appropriate search format and introduce selected candidates who have confirmed their availability, acceptance of the terms and genuine interest in joining your private household.
We do not circulate a database. We make considered introductions for a specific family, child and private environment.