Language barrier at daycare?

bananers · October 2012

We are just in the beginning stages of researching daycares for our baby due in May (will be going back to work in late July/early August) and I am finding many places are already filled up and have waiting lists! Yikes. And here I was thinking I was jumping the gun on my research.

We found a home daycare that is a great location, good price, and their website looks nice, so I sent them an email to ask about a few details. Well, it is very apparent from the reply I received that English is not her first language. I am trying to be open minded and see that maybe this could be a good opportunity to expose my child to other cultures, but I will admit, part of me is a little nervous about the possibility of trying to communicate with someone who has such an important job of looking after my child. I also worry about the possibility of any sort of cultural differences in viewpoints of childcare that would be hard to really discuss and evaluate in the absence of good communication... even though all the philosophies stated on their website show no red flags or anything.

Obviously we'll visit our top places before making any sort of commitment, but I hate to admit, the language barrier has me hesitant to even keep it in my top choices, even though it was a strong contender before getting her email. Am I being a horrible person for feeling this way, or would this bother you too?

SilliRy · October 2012

I think you have valid concerns, but meet her and check references first. My DD is at an in home daycare now and the provider is a woman from Colombia. English is not her first language, and frankly, she's not great at it. But she has years and years of experience and fantastic references, and I can understand her. Plus, DD is learning Spanish which is amazing and a great opportunity for her. She's exposed to a different culture at daycare through food and music and language. And she adores her teacher, which is so wonderful. So all that to say...don't rule her out just yet!

BakerMommy · October 2012

As PP said, speaking is much easier than writing a second language. As a new language develops, listening comes first, then speaking, then reading, and writing develops last. So, she'll probably be able to understand your verbal and written directions better than she can write. GL with your interviews!
[exit lurking former language teacher]

Starbear06 · October 2012

DS goes to a daycare center where one of the caretaker does not speak English as her first language. We can communicate enough so I don't think it's a problem at all. I agree with pp and meeting with her first would be best. It's good to keep all of your options open.

ASmallWonder · October 2012

One of our favorite providers were a husband and wife team who didn't speak English as their first language. It's much more evident in emails than in person and even though their language wasn't perfect, I never struggled to understand them and they were amazing with my son. I wish we hadn't had to move because I would have loved for him to learn Spanish from them!

RClaffee · October 2012

I teach English for adults who are learning it as a second language. In my upper level class, I have a student who works at a daycare, and I would guess that she has no problem whatsoever verbally communicating with parents, but she really struggles with writing.

I would meet her and see.

1026pumpkin · October 2012

Estwd2:
English is much easier to speak than to write. Meet her in person. My DCP's first language is Urdu. While her written communication is not the best, I have no trouble understanding her.

Agree! While I'm no Ms. Grammar myself, when we were emailing potential DCPs, I got a lot of poorly spelled, poorly worded emails from people who speak English as their native language. All of these people were able to communicate fluently in person, just seemed to have a hard time with writing and/or were typing off notes quickly.

bridetobe920 · October 2012

This was us three years ago, when we were looking for care for our unborn DD. We called and met with countless people, and hadn't found "the one". I called a lady from our list, and when she answered the phone, I could tell she had a strong middle eastern accent. I had the same reservations as you, but we decided to go meet with her anyway. It was the best decision we could have made! We instantly liked her, and knew it was the right place for our daughter. She made us feel so at home and welcome, and we could tell right away that she would care for our DD so well. She was our DCP for the first two years of DD's life, and we (sadly) had to move her recently to a new provider when Mrs. Z retired. Our DD truly loved her like part of our family, and we miss her very much. Thankfully, DD has done well at her new center, but we are forever grateful for the time spent with our first DCP. DD was exposed to a different language and culture, and even different foods while she was there. We think it was a great experience for her! Bottom line is, go with your gut. If you meet her, and still have reservations, it is not meant to be. You never know until you try though. Good luck!

kacelle · October 2012

DD's daycare teacher is so incredible that I'm tempted to pay the $250 fine and hire her as a personal nanny. English is her first language, but you would not know it by the notes she writes on DD's papers every day. Her grammar and spelling are atrocious. It doesn't make her any less amazing with the kids.

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