Wealthy and royal families face distinct childcare challenges. They need caregivers who combine educational expertise with strict discretion and adaptability. Finding professionals capable of managing life on a superyacht or inside a royal estate is difficult. Standard agencies often misunderstand these specific demands.
Alice Romero Drever provides a direct solution. A former VIP nanny and governess with experience spanning palaces and global estates, she founded Nanny & Governess to connect elite families with top-tier childcare professionals. We sat down with Drever to discuss her transition from nanny to founder, the exact needs of ultra-high-net-worth households, and her method for matching families with the right staff.
Q: You spent a few years working in exclusive households, from palaces to superyachts. How did your direct experience as a royal nanny shape the way you operate Nanny & Governess today?
Alice Romero Drever: That experience has helped me very much to understand my clients and my candidates. I have worked there, so I know the expectations, demands, and pressure, but I am also able to understand the families' specific needs and requirements and match them with great people.
Q: Many high-profile families struggle to find caregivers who fit their specific lifestyle. What are the core traits you look for when vetting a nanny or governess for an ultra-high-net-worth client?
Alice Romero Drever: I try to understand the family's preferences very well. At the beginning, I would present more candidates than I do now because I realised that every client has very specific expectations or requirements. So every time I start a new search, I really take the time to understand their needs in detail. In addition to that, I prioritise people with good values, honesty, respect, and who are responsive.
Q: Nanny & Governess expanded rapidly across the Middle East shortly after launching. Why do families in regions like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE respond so strongly to your service?
Alice Romero Drever: When I launched my agency, I built my brand based on what I imagined it would become in the future. I wanted it to be a boutique, personalised, top-quality agency. Last summer a Kuwaiti influencer posted about my agency and the video went viral. After that, through word of mouth, clients referred me to their friends and family. I think families in the Middle East appreciate the level of personal service we provide, the quality of our candidates, and the trust we build throughout the recruitment process. I also have many clients in the UK and Europe, and as our website presence continues to grow, I receive enquiries from all over the world.
Q: The agency places highly trained professionals, including Montessori and Norland graduates. How do these specialized educational backgrounds help children growing up in fast-paced, high-profile environments?
Alice Romero Drever: Montessori is a philosophy I really like. It gives children independence and respects them as little people. Norland nannies are very well trained, families know that Norland nannies are very prepared and knowledgeable about providing high-quality childcare. Children thrive when they are listened to, respected, and given the tools to be happy and succeed. Nannies who are trained have the tools and the mindset that children must be given attention and the right environment to succeed.
Q: You built this agency from the ground up, managing everything from website design to marketing. What was the hardest part of managing that rapid growth?
Alice Romero Drever: The hardest part is being able to deliver our personalised services to more people without losing that exceptional service that distinguishes us. Although I interview every client and candidate in order to do my matchmaking, I do know that, in order to grow in the future, I will have to allow others to step in and get involved in the process. At the moment, I have people who help me, but I am still a 24/7 workaholic.
Q: What advice do you give to a family preparing to hire a live-in nanny or governess for the first time to ensure a successful, long-term match?
Alice Romero Drever: First of all, I would ensure they define very clearly all the points they want to find in their nanny or governess. It is very hard when we start a search and receive a new job description every two weeks because we waste time, may overlook candidates at the beginning of the process, and candidates who see the role advertised repeatedly also start to think that the family has an issue with hiring or retaining staff.
Once they know what they want, I would tell them to choose one agency.
To have dedicated recruiters, you need that exclusivity. Most of my most successful placements were when I was given that time and exclusivity to really do my work, and recruiters prioritise searches that are exclusive.
I am very happy when a client realises what kind of service we offer, the exceptional candidates we represent and chooses us every time they need private staff.
Romero Drever proves that successful placements require more than basic background checks. They require a deep understanding of family dynamics, modern educational methods, and the daily realities of high-profile living. Her firsthand experience allows her to spot the subtle traits that make a caregiver truly exceptional. By prioritizing trust and compatibility, she built a firm that solves complex staffing problems for demanding households.
The need for specialized, discreet childcare will continue to rise as global families become more mobile. Agencies that focus on rigorous vetting and personalized matches will lead the private staffing industry. Nanny & Governess sets a high standard for how elite childcare should operate in a modern world.
To learn more visit https://www.nannygoverness.co.uk/
