When I was invited to contribute to a recent article in The Times exploring the rise of six-figure salaries within private childcare, it prompted a great deal of reflection.

Not about pay — but about standards.

The article highlights what many families and professionals already understand: that at the highest level of private childcare, a governess is not simply a support role. She is an educator, mentor, emotional anchor, and trusted presence within the home.

For me, being featured was not about recognition. It was about articulating what genuinely differentiates a top-end governess agency from the rest of the market.

Why Quintessential Governess Operates at the Top End

Quintessential Governess was founded with a very clear purpose: to raise the standard of governess recruitment globally.

We do not work on volume. We do not compete on speed. And we do not place candidates into environments where excellence cannot be sustained.

Our work sits at the intersection of education, emotional intelligence, discretion, and long-term family dynamics. That is why families come to us when they are not simply looking for childcare — but for trusted educational partnership.

This is what defines a true governess agency, not just a placement service.

Our Exclusive Relationships with the Best Governesses

One of the reasons Quintessential is consistently regarded as top-tier is because of the calibre of professionals we represent.

Many of the governesses we work with are not available on the open market. They do not advertise, apply broadly, or work with multiple agencies. They choose to work with us exclusively — because we protect their professional integrity and place them only where their expertise is genuinely valued.

These are degree-educated professionals, often trained teachers, with deep understanding of child development, family systems, and the complexities of private households.

Exclusivity, in this context, is not about restriction — it is about trust.

Serving a Broad but Distinct Client Base

While Quintessential is known for operating at the very top end of the market, our families are not one-dimensional.

We work with:

• Families requiring additional structured support from a nanny

• Parents transitioning from nanny care to educational governance

• International UHNW families

• High-profile and royal households across the globe

What unites these families is not wealth — it is expectation. They value discretion, professionalism, and emotional intelligence as much as academic outcomes.

Our role is to ensure that the professional entering their home can meet those expectations with confidence and composure.

Why Families Search for a “Top Governess Agency”

Families who search for a governess agency are rarely looking for a quick solution.

They are looking for reassurance.

For longevity.

For someone who understands that children thrive when consistency, boundaries, and warmth exist together.

The reason Quintessential is recognised — including by national publications — is because we consistently deliver placements that last, relationships that work, and environments where children genuinely flourish.

Reputation Is Built Quietly

The most meaningful recognition in this industry does not come from press coverage. It comes from:

• Families who return to us years later

• Governesses who remain with placements long-term

• Referrals that happen quietly, behind closed doors

Being featured in The Times simply reflects what has been built carefully, deliberately, and with integrity over time.

My Final Thought

A truly exceptional governess agency is not defined by how many placements it makes — but by the standard it refuses to compromise.

At Quintessential Governess, we exist to protect childhood, elevate education, and honour the professionals who dedicate their lives to both. That is why families trust us, why governesses work with us exclusively, and why recognition follows naturally rather than being chased.

Excellence, in this field, is never loud.
It is consistent.
It is calm.
And it endures.

By Georgia Barry, Founder of Quintessential Governess

You can read the full piece here: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/nannies-six-figure-salaray-uk-z6n3qwh0q