Governesses are a type of childcare provider, typically employed by wealthy families to look after their children. They are often seen as a more formal alternative to NANNIES and nanas, which are two common terms for childcare providers. NANNIES are seven-letter words used to describe a person who is employed to look after children in their own home, while nanas are five-letter words used to describe a person who looks after children in the family's home.