Managing Your Nanny’s Hours and Overtime: A Realistic Guide for Cincinnati’s Busiest Families
When you’re a physician parent, work doesn’t always end at 5 p.m.
Sometimes it ends at 7 p.m., then restarts at midnight for a page from the hospital. Or it stretches into a 14-hour call shift on a Saturday when your childcare backup is in another state for the weekend. You’re juggling the emotional weight of your patients, trying to finish charting between daycare pickup and dinner, and desperately hoping your partner’s shift doesn’t run over too.
For so many families in Hyde Park, Oakley, and Mt. Lookout, nanny care has become the most sustainable solution. But even with a nanny, the question becomes: How do we manage work hours, overtime, and flexibility in a way that’s fair — to everyone?
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to set up — and sustain — healthy nanny schedules that respect both your demanding career and your nanny’s need for consistency, predictability, and fair compensation.
Why Managing Nanny Hours Is Different for Physician Families
Most people don’t understand what it's like to be on call at 3 a.m. while a toddler sleeps two doors away. Or to schedule childcare around OR times, clinic, and urgent follow-up appointments. And while some families can lean on grandparents or flexible jobs, many of us — especially physicians — have zero margin for error when it comes to care coverage.
This is why families in Cincinnati’s core neighborhoods — Hyde Park, Oakley, Mt. Lookout, Clifton — are increasingly turning to full-time nannies, rather than traditional daycare or part-time sitters.
But hiring the nanny is just step one. The bigger challenge? Structuring the role so you’re not constantly scrambling for coverage, and your nanny doesn’t quietly burn out.
What Happens When You Don’t Manage Nanny Hours Well
Let’s say you started out with a general understanding: “Roughly 40 hours per week. Flexibility appreciated.”
It might work… until it doesn’t.
We’ve seen it all:
The nanny who starts working 55+ hours with no overtime because “they didn’t want to say no”
A family getting hit with a surprise $1,200 overtime bill at the end of the month
A promising nanny quitting after 8 months due to burnout and poor boundaries
A physician missing cases because backup care couldn’t come through when the nanny called off
The problem isn’t your job — it’s the lack of structure around the nanny’s.
Let’s fix that.
Step 1: Create a Nanny Schedule That Reflects Your Actual Life
Start with your knowns. Even if your schedule fluctuates, you usually know:
Days that tend to run long (e.g. call days, clinic block)
When your partner is home and can relieve
When you need guaranteed early coverage (e.g. for 6:30am rounds)
Build a core schedule around those needs, for example:
Now, here’s where most families fall short: You need to plan for overflow.
Add in “buffer” hours (pre-approved overtime) on days where you know late work is likely. This helps your nanny mentally and logistically prepare — and gives them confidence in your communication.
Step 2: Understand Overtime Laws for Nannies in Cincinnati
This is a big one — and often misunderstood.
Most nannies are non-exempt household employees, meaning:
You must pay 1.5x their hourly rate for all hours over 40 in a week
There is no daily overtime requirement in Ohio, but check local city laws
Nannies are NOT “independent contractors” — they’re employees
If your nanny works 45 hours/week at $25/hour, here’s how it breaks down:
40 hours @ $25 = $1,000
5 hours @ $37.50 = $187.50
Total Weekly Pay = $1,187.50
Tools like HomePay, GTM Payroll, or a nanny payroll service can automate this so you don’t miss compliance.
Step 3: Put It in Writing — And Review It Often
Whether you found your nanny through a Cincinnati nanny agency or on your own, you need a nanny contract that clearly outlines:
Regular work hours and days
Rate of pay
Overtime rate
How last-minute changes are handled
Guaranteed hours (especially for salaried or full-time roles)
Sick time, PTO, and holidays
Need help writing this? Agencies like ours offer templates and one-on-one support to help you protect both sides of the relationship.
Review the contract at least once a year — or after any big schedule changes (new baby, return to OR, switching jobs, etc).
Step 4: Use the Right Tools to Track Hours
The best way to avoid awkward money conversations? Use a clear time-tracking system.
Options we love:
NannyPay or Homebase (for mobile timeclock apps)
Google Sheets (shared spreadsheet with start/end times)
Written timecard (signed weekly, old-school but effective)
Pro tip: Build a 10-minute buffer into your nanny’s day. This helps prevent nickel-and-diming, and it acknowledges the reality that your world doesn’t run by the minute.
Step 5: Compensate Overtime Thoughtfully
Yes, paying overtime is required — but how you talk about it matters.
Families who retain great nannies long-term tend to:
Talk about extra hours in advance (when possible)
Offer comp time when the week ahead is lighter
Say thank you after a tough stretch
Acknowledge the emotional labor of being flexible
Remember: overtime isn’t just about more money — it’s about feeling valued.
Real Story: A Hyde Park Family’s Mistake and Recovery
One local mom (an ER doc at UC) shared:
“Our nanny never complained, but I realized we had slowly crept into 55-hour weeks and I wasn’t even noticing. She was helping with laundry, dishes, pick-ups, meals… I thought she was just being helpful. Then she got sick for a week and I nearly collapsed from the lack of support.”
They sat down, reviewed the schedule, adjusted responsibilities, and gave her a pay bump. The nanny stayed on — and the relationship is now stronger than ever.
What Physician Families Should Consider (That Others Don’t)
If you're working in medicine, law, academia, or consulting, you may need to approach your nanny setup differently.
1. Split Shift Nannies
Some families use two shifts: 6am–9am and 3pm–7pm. You can hire one nanny open to split hours, or two part-timers.
2. Nanny “On Call” Bonuses
If you’re on-call, consider paying a retainer or availability fee for hours the nanny blocks off for you — even if not used.
3. Back-Up Care Network
If your nanny gets sick, who steps in? Some agencies (like ours) offer vetted back-up care within 24 hours. Worth its weight in gold during flu season.
4. Emotional Partnership
Don’t underestimate the emotional side of this relationship. Your nanny often sees you at your most stressed, your most tired. Treat her like a teammate, not an employee.
Sample Weekly Structure for a Physician Family in Oakley
How to Set (and Keep) Healthy Boundaries
The best time to talk about boundaries is before they’re crossed. But it’s never too late.
Tips:
Revisit hours every quarter, especially during residency, postpartum, or new jobs
Don’t expect your nanny to absorb schedule chaos without impact
Offer “early outs” when the week has been intense
Consider a “flex hours” stipend if your needs shift week to week
Why This Matters
As parents — especially physicians — we often take care of everyone else before ourselves.
But a well-managed nanny relationship:
Keeps your kids emotionally supported
Allows you to show up fully at work
Reduces marital strain
Prevents turnover, burnout, and back-to-square-one chaos
Ready to Make a Change?
If you're feeling like your nanny’s hours are creeping too long — or you’re constantly asking for “just one more thing” — it’s not too late to re-align.
Our Cincinnati nanny agency specializes in helping physician families structure nanny roles that truly work for both sides. Whether you’re in Hyde Park, Oakley, Mt. Lookout, or beyond, we’ll guide you in:
Crafting a schedule that supports your reality
Navigating overtime and legal payroll
Matching with caregivers who understand your lifestyle
You deserve care that works as hard as you do. And your nanny deserves the structure to thrive within it.
Let’s Get You the Support You Need
If you're searching for:
A flexible full-time nanny in Cincinnati
A split-shift caregiver near Christ Hospital or Children’s
Someone who can handle hospital call chaos without flinching
We’re here to help.
Sources:
r/nanny and r/Parenting
HomePay, GTM Payroll & Tax, Care.com blogs
Direct conversations with families and nannies in Hyde Park, Oakley, and Mt. Lookout
