A message from Timea, Founder of The Governess & Co
As I sit down to write this reflection, I can hardly believe that two full years have passed since we opened the doors of The Governess & Co. What began as a vision to transform how families find exceptional childcare has evolved into something far more meaningful than I ever imagined.
The Beginning of Something Special
When I first conceived The Governess & Co, I knew there was a gap in the market for truly personalized childcare matching. Too many families were settling for adequate when they deserved exceptional. Too many qualified nannies were finding themselves in mismatched situations that didn’t showcase their talents or provide job satisfaction.
But what I didn’t fully anticipate was how deeply rewarding it would be to witness the magic that happens when the right nanny meets the right family. That moment when everything just clicks – when parents exhale with relief, children light up with excitement, and nannies feel genuinely valued – never gets old.
What We’ve Learned
This first two years have been an incredible education. Every family we’ve worked with has taught us something new about the nuances of what makes a sustainable match. We’ve learned that it’s rarely about checking boxes on a list of requirements. Instead, it’s about understanding the subtle dynamics that make a household function harmoniously.
We’ve discovered that parents often don’t realize what they truly need until they experience it. A family might think they want someone who can handle the logistics of daily life, only to discover they actually needed someone who could bring more creativity into their children’s routine. Or they might believe they need strict schedule adherence, when what their family actually thrives on is gentle flexibility.
Similarly, we’ve seen nannies flourish in ways they never expected when placed with families that truly appreciate their unique strengths. The former primary school teacher who thought she wanted a structured academic role but discovered her gift for nurturing creativity in free-play environments. The experienced nanny who believed she preferred working with toddlers but found her calling with school-age children who challenged her in unexpected ways.
The Families Who Trust Us
Perhaps what I’m most proud of is the trust families have placed in us during such an intimate process. Inviting someone into your home to care for your children requires enormous faith, and we’ve never taken that responsibility lightly.
We’ve had the privilege of working with families from all walks of life – busy professionals seeking work-life balance, international families needing cultural bridges, growing families requiring flexible support, and established households looking to elevate their childcare standards. Each family has brought unique perspectives that have enriched our understanding of modern family life.
The testimonials and referrals we’ve received aren’t just professional validation – they’re evidence that we’re making a real difference in people’s daily lives. When a parent tells us their nanny has become an integral part of their family’s happiness, or when a child asks if their nanny can stay forever, we know we’ve succeeded in our mission.
Our Exceptional Nannies
Of course, none of our success would be possible without the incredible nannies who have chosen to work with us. These professionals bring such dedication, creativity, and genuine love for children to their roles. They’ve reminded me daily why this field deserves more recognition and respect.
We’ve been honored to represent nannies with diverse backgrounds and specializations – from Montessori-trained educators to multilingual caregivers, from newborn specialists to adventure-loving outdoor enthusiasts. What unites them all is their commitment to providing exceptional care and their desire to find families who value their professional contributions.
Watching our nannies grow in confidence as they find their ideal placements has been deeply fulfilling. There’s something beautiful about seeing a caregiver realize they don’t need to compromise on their professional standards or personal values to find steady, well-compensated work.
Challenges That Made Us Stronger
These years haven’t been without their challenges, and I’m grateful for each one because they’ve made us better at what we do. We’ve learned to navigate the complexities of international placement requirements, refined our interview processes based on what actually predicts successful placements, and developed better systems for ongoing support after placements begin.
We’ve also learned the importance of saying no – both to families whose expectations don’t align with our values and to nannies who might not be the right fit for our standards. These difficult decisions have ultimately protected our reputation and ensured better outcomes for everyone involved.
Perhaps most importantly, we’ve learned that our work doesn’t end when a placement begins. The best agencies provide ongoing support to ensure long-term success, and we’ve developed processes to check in regularly with both families and nannies to address small issues before they become larger problems.
Looking Forward
As we move into our third year, I’m excited about the foundations we’ve built and the opportunities ahead. We’ve established relationships with families who trust us for future needs and with nannies who see us as long-term career partners. This network effect means we can often provide even better matches because we understand our clients’ preferences and working styles more deeply.
We’re also expanding our understanding of how modern families need childcare support. The traditional full-time nanny model works beautifully for many families, but we’re seeing increased demand for flexible arrangements, specialized short-term support, and consultant-style services where we help families optimize their existing childcare situations.
Gratitude and Recognition
None of this would have been possible without the support of our extended community. The other childcare professionals who have referred families to us, the educators who have recommended our nannies for specialized roles, and the local businesses who have welcomed us into Marbella’s family-service ecosystem.
I’m also deeply grateful to the families who took a chance on a new agency during our first years. Their feedback, patience, and willingness to work with us as we refined our processes has been invaluable. Several of these early clients have become our strongest advocates, and their referrals have been the foundation of our growth.
What’s Next
As we begin year three, our focus remains on quality over quantity. We want to continue refining our matching process, expanding our network of exceptional nannies, and deepening our relationships with families who value what we offer.
We’re excited to introduce new services based on what we’ve learned families need – from consultation services for families designing their childcare approach to specialized training opportunities for nannies looking to develop new skills.
Most importantly, we remain committed to the values that guided us from the beginning: honesty, quality, and genuine care for the families and nannies we serve. These principles have served us well, and they’ll continue to guide us as we grow.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of The Governess & Co’s journey. Here’s to many more years of creating exceptional childcare matches and supporting the families and professionals who trust us with their most precious relationships.
With gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead,