Am I being too picky in regards to finding a nanny?

leaner2009

 I posted a listing on a website geared towards finding a nanny.  Some of the replies I have received have atrocious grammar.  I am by no means a grammar wizard (and probably made a mistake on this posting) but when I apply for a job I try to be professional.  A few of these responses have no capitalization or even periods!  I look past some minor spelling errors (I make many myself) but if a person can't take the time to put together a proper note I dismiss them as a candidate. Am I being too picky?  How can I take a person seriously if they don't care to write in full sentences? What do you think? 

 

kme003

I agree with you.  If they can't even get the basics of capitalization and a period I would dismiss their application.

EastCoastBride

Well, where I live, many of the nanny's are from foreign countries and english isn't their first language.  Also, many aren't well educated.  Doesn't mean they aren't good w/ kids. 

 

bmstee03

You are not being too picky. If you plan on keeping your nanny for awhile they will be the ones teaching your LO to write, read, spell, etc.

jennynorene

I think I would feel the same way.

goofyteacher

No, you are not being too picky.  Unfortunately, we have been too relaxed with grammar and punctuation.  Like you I make minor spelling errors and I can take into grammatical things if they are from another country.  However, basic capitalization and punctuation is understood regardless of the country they are from.

 This is your child, you can not be too picky!

RoxyLynn

A nanny is a childcare provider, but she's also a businesswoman and should present herself professionally.  You have every right to expect her to meet a minimum standard of communications.

crystalpopcorn

bmstee03:

You are not being too picky. If you plan on keeping your nanny for awhile they will be the ones teaching your LO to write, read, spell, etc.

This.  Exactly.  I was the same way, and I am glad I was picky.  

CLB111106

I'm going out on a limb and saying yes...you are being too picky.  Your hiring someone to watch your child while you work, not someone to teach them how to read and write.   That's what schools are for.  And yes...get over it now...your nanny is there to help raise your child.  It's taken me a year and a half to come to the realization that my nanny is my partner in raising my child, not my competition and not just an employee.  Stop obsessing about whether or not they have good grammar and know how to use spell check and start thinking about the really (and I mean really) important stuff like whether they genuinely love children, whether they have good judgement, whether you can trust them to love and care for your child as much as you would.  That's what you should be picky about. 

trinny

CLB111106:

start thinking about the really (and I mean really) important stuff like whether they genuinely love children, whether they have good judgement, whether you can trust them to love and care for your child as much as you would.

I kind of agree-- plus, you will likely have to find a new nanny before your child is reading and writing.  Nannies move, quit, get married/pg, etc.   I think it would be worth looking a little deeper if you are not finding enough applicants otherwise.

SparkFish

Maybe. I think I might overlook a poorly written email and meet a potentially good candidate in person. But, if s/he had poor language skills in person, that would bother me. In fact, I eliminated a potential daycare provider because she used a lot of slang and poor grammar when she was talking with me (English was her first language, but she didn't speak in a standard dialect). The fact of the matter is, DD is learning language right now, and studies have shown that language development is severely delayed if kids don't have good, consistent examples to model their language on. It can lead to delays in speaking, reading, and even poor performance in school later on. It's one thing if the caregiver has an accent, but it's quite another if s/he simply doesn't speak English well (either because it's not her native language, or because she speaks a non-standard dialect). It's going to be a problem for you LOs language development, and it could interfere with your ability to communicate with the caregiver as well. The one potential exception I would make is if the caregiver could teach my child a second language - in that case, I might be willing to deal with potential setbacks in her English development in order to help her become bilingual.

JssBB6

I don't think your being too picky at all.  When I was looking for a nanny I found the one's that had very poorly written emails were not someone I would want watching my baby. 

tatie23

I totally agree with you. You HAVE to be picky when it comes to your child. If the first line was not properly addressed I automatically sent an email back saying no thank you and when they came for an interview, if they were not properly dressed, I did not invite them in. Sorry . These are our babies and heavy screening is a MUST.  That is how you weed out the not so great. Good Luck!