The governess is an educationally qualified individual responsible for overseeing the family's children and their upbringing. She is critically responsible for many aspects of education, may home-school the children, and might be responsible for putting them to bed, getting them to their lessons, and any other ancillary and typical job of a parent.

The governess would organize play dates and other activities; maintain the bedrooms, play areas and clothing, prepare the children's meals, all in the context of an educational, comfortable and safe environment. The governess has minimal responsibilities for the domestic chores not directly related to the children.

The International Governess Association defines a governess as "Traditionally an educationally-qualified person employed by families for the full-time or part-time at-home education of school-age children. Functions as a teacher and is not usually concerned with domestic work or the physical care of younger children. Hours of work by arrangement."