Full-Time Nanny Guide: Hours, Duties & What to Expect

A full-time nanny is the backbone of childcare for millions of American families. Unlike daycare centers with fixed ratios and rigid schedules, a full-time nanny provides dedicated, one-on-one (or one-on-few) care in your own home, on your schedule. But "full-time" means different things to different families, and the gap between expectations and reality is where most nanny relationships break down.

This guide covers everything you need to know before hiring a full-time nanny: standard hours, the complete scope of duties, realistic cost expectations, benefits you should offer, and the practical steps to make the arrangement work long-term. If you are still evaluating whether full-time is the right fit, start with our complete guide to nanny types for a side-by-side comparison of every option.

What "Full-Time" Actually Means: Hours and Scheduling

Full-time nanny positions generally range from 40 to 55 hours per week, spread across four or five days. The most common schedule mirrors the parents' workdays: Monday through Friday, 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Some families need a four-day, ten-hour-per-day schedule. Others require a split that includes one weekend day.

Whatever your schedule, two things matter from the start:

1. Overtime is legally required. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek must be compensated at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. Some states have daily overtime thresholds as well (California, for instance, requires overtime after 9 hours in a single day for domestic workers). If your nanny regularly works 50-hour weeks, those extra 10 hours at time-and-a-half add up quickly — an additional $270 to $450 per week at typical rates.
2. Guaranteed hours protect both parties. If you come home early or cancel a day because of a schedule change, the nanny should still be paid for the hours originally agreed upon. Guaranteed hours give your nanny income stability and prevent them from seeking supplemental work that could conflict with your schedule. In exchange, you get priority claim on their availability.

Sample Full-Time Nanny Schedule

The Full Scope of Full-Time Nanny Duties

A full-time nanny's job goes far beyond watching children. Professional nannies are childcare experts who actively support your child's development, health, and daily routine. Here is a realistic breakdown of what falls within standard duties and what constitutes additional responsibilities.

Standard Duties (Included in Base Pay)

• Direct childcare: Feeding (bottles, solids, meal prep for children), diaper changes, bathing, dressing, and hygiene routines
• Developmental engagement: Age-appropriate activities, reading, educational games, sensory play, outdoor time, and creative projects
• Sleep management: Nap schedules, sleep training support, bedtime routines when parents are late
• Transportation: School drop-off/pickup, extracurricular activities, playdates, library visits, doctor appointments
• Child-related housekeeping: Kids' laundry, tidying play areas, washing bottles and dishes, maintaining the nursery or child's bedroom
• Safety and health: Administering prescribed medications, first aid, maintaining a safe play environment
• Communication: Daily logs or updates on activities, meals, naps, milestones, and any concerns

Additional Duties (Negotiate and Compensate Separately)

• Family cooking (preparing meals for the adults as well)
• Household cleaning beyond child-related tasks
• Errands not related to the children (dry cleaning, post office)
• Pet care (feeding, walking, vet appointments)
• Tutoring or specialized educational instruction

If you want a nanny who also handles family-wide household management, you are describing a nanny-housekeeper hybrid role. This is a legitimate position, but it commands higher pay — typically $2 to $5 more per hour above standard nanny rates — and should be clearly defined in your hiring process.

Full-Time Nanny Costs: The Complete Picture

Understanding full-time nanny costs requires looking beyond the hourly rate. Here is how the numbers break down for a realistic scenario in a mid-to-high-cost metro area.

In lower-cost markets (suburban Midwest, Southeast), a full-time nanny at $18-$20 per hour with 45-hour weeks may total $50,000-$60,000 annually all-in. In premium markets (Manhattan, Bay Area), $30+/hour rates push the total well above $100,000. For a detailed cost analysis by market, see our full-time nanny cost breakdown.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Making the Right Choice

The decision between full-time and part-time nanny care often comes down to coverage needs and budget constraints. Here is a quick comparison:

If you are somewhere in the middle — needing 30 to 38 hours per week — consider structuring it as a full-time position at the lower end rather than pushing a part-time nanny to the upper limit. This gives you access to a stronger candidate pool and better retention.

Full-Time vs. Live-In: When On-Site Makes Sense

Some families considering full-time care also evaluate live-in arrangements. A live-in nanny provides the same core care but with added flexibility for early mornings, late nights, and occasional weekend coverage. The trade-off is that you need dedicated living space and must navigate the boundaries of sharing your home with an employee. If your work schedule is unpredictable or you travel frequently, a live-in arrangement may provide better coverage than a standard full-time live-out nanny.

Benefits That Attract and Retain Top Full-Time Nannies

Full-time nanny positions are competitive, and experienced caregivers evaluate potential families based on the total compensation package — not just the hourly rate. Here is what competitive families offer:

• Paid vacation: 5 to 10 days per year (often increasing with tenure). The standard approach is to give the nanny one week of their choosing and have the second week coincide with the family's vacation.
• Paid sick days: 3 to 5 days per year. Many states now mandate paid sick leave for domestic workers.
• Paid holidays: 6 to 10 federal holidays. If the nanny works on a holiday, compensate at time-and-a-half or double time.
• Health insurance stipend: $150 to $300 per month toward an individual plan. Some families cover the full premium.
• Annual raises: 3% to 5% per year is standard. Larger increases at milestone anniversaries (one year, three years) improve retention.
• Year-end bonus: One to two weeks' gross pay, typically given in December.
• Professional development: Covering the cost of CPR recertification, child development courses, or conference attendance.

Setting Up for Success: The First 90 Days

The first three months of a full-time nanny arrangement are critical. Here is a practical roadmap:

1. Week 1 (Overlap): Spend one to three days with the nanny and your children together. Walk through the daily routine, demonstrate your child's cues and preferences, introduce the neighborhood, and tour the house including where supplies, medications, and emergency information are stored.
2. Weeks 2-4 (Transition): Leave for increasing periods. Start with a half-day away, then a full day, then a full week. Check in via text or a shared app (like a daily log), but resist the urge to micromanage. Give your nanny space to develop their own rhythm with your children.
3. Month 2 (Calibration): Schedule a sit-down check-in. Discuss what is working, what needs adjustment, and any evolving needs. This is the time to refine the schedule, clarify duties, and address minor issues before they become entrenched habits.
4. Month 3 (Review): Conduct a formal performance review. Confirm the arrangement is working for both sides, discuss any schedule or duty modifications, and finalize any trial-period provisions from the original contract.

Common Mistakes Families Make with Full-Time Nannies

• Scope creep without compensation. Gradually adding housekeeping, errands, and cooking without adjusting pay erodes trust and leads to burnout.
• Inconsistent schedules without guaranteed hours. Regularly canceling days or sending the nanny home early without paying full hours makes the position financially unstable.
• Skipping the written agreement. A verbal understanding is not enough. Document hours, duties, pay, overtime policy, PTO, and termination terms in writing.
• Ignoring overtime obligations. Consistently scheduling 50-hour weeks and paying a flat salary instead of calculating proper overtime violates federal labor law and creates legal liability.
• No backup plan. Even the most reliable nanny gets sick, has emergencies, or takes vacation. Having a backup sitter or family member on standby prevents scrambling.