how much does a non-English-speaking nanny impact a child?

[Anonymous]

Our nanny speaks good but very heavily accented English, and occasionally struggles to explain something in English. It's occasionally a little frustrating for me, usually when I'm trying to communicate with her on the phone on the rare occasions when she calls because they're sick, and it takes a little bit to understand the situation. Or she has gotten in the habit of just taking me and showing me when something in the house isn't working instead of trying to explain. But it has not affected our kids, who are four and speak the clearest, most articulate English in their preschool class (often at too much length!). In fact, the kids are very aware of the things she pronounces slightly differently that we do, and they use her word with her and ours with everyone else. Probably like what they would do if she actually spoke to them in her native language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

You can always tell when they say they are looking for someone who "speaks fluent spanish" that they also want to pay less than $11 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

NP here. The poster you are badgering is correct about the existence of data showing that early exposure to multiple languages actually shapes the way pathways form the in the brain. She and her nanny are apparently happy with their arrangement. The rate she pays has nothing to do with the points she made. Her refusal to discuss it shows nothing more than the fact that she is too smart to be baited by a handful of nannies who are too simpleminded to meaningful engage about the substance of her post. Frankly, your insistence on bringing every discussion back to the nanny's rate reflects very poorly on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

NP here. The poster you are badgering is correct about the existence of data showing that early exposure to multiple languages actually shapes the way pathways form the in the brain. She and her nanny are apparently happy with their arrangement. The rate she pays has nothing to do with the points she made. Her refusal to discuss it shows nothing more than the fact that she is too smart to be baited by a handful of nannies who are too simpleminded to meaningful engage about the substance of her post. Frankly, your insistence on bringing every discussion back to the nanny's rate reflects very poorly on you.

Idk. I would think using improper grammar while trying to insult the intelligence of others reflects poorly. I simply have an opinion you don't like, and I'm as concerned with what you think of my opinions as you likely are of me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

NP here. The poster you are badgering is correct about the existence of data showing that early exposure to multiple languages actually shapes the way pathways form the in the brain. She and her nanny are apparently happy with their arrangement. The rate she pays has nothing to do with the points she made. Her refusal to discuss it shows nothing more than the fact that she is too smart to be baited by a handful of nannies who are too simpleminded to meaningful engage about the s
ubstance of her post. Frankly, your insistence on bringing every discussion back to the nanny's rate reflects very poorly on you.

Still out to lunch.

[Anonymous]

Wow, there are some really insulting nannies on this thread. This makes your forum look bad, nannies. No one wants to hire such mean people to care for their children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I'm the MB you're asking (w/ the spanish speaking nanny). She is paid above market, but not because of her language skills.

We hired this nanny because she had the best references, was a referral from two other families in our neighborhood for whom she'd worked for the past 14 years, and because she had experience with twins.

Twin experience, honesty, excellent tenure and references from prior employers, and a comfortable "fit" with us were our requirements. Spanish language in the home was a bonus - not something we sought.

When we hired her she quoted us a salary she wanted and that's what we paid. We have given her annual raises of $1/hr or more, added reimbursement for health insurance, given generous bonuses and gifts for holidays and anniversary dates, and have also supported her in other, non-monetary ways (help locating a new apartment and moving, support during some medical stuff, extra leave time for personal needs, etc...)

We retain her and pay her well for all the reasons we initially hired her, and for the fact that she has done nothing but earn our complete trust and confidence.

The spanish remains a bonus, but not a core requirement. Her English isn't perfect, but it is more than adequate for me to have full confidence in her communication skills. Her judgment re the care and safety of my kids is pretty darn near perfect and that trumps the minor language issues.

So no - we don't pay a premium for her language skills. We pay a premium for her experience and trustworthiness and now proven track record with us. I trust her with my children's lives and with everything in our home, and the compensation she receives is commensurate with how important a part she plays in our lives.

I love that my kids are hearing spanish, but what I pay for and reward are the non-negotiables of good childcare.

You seem to be genuine in your approach. Do you mind sharing what her current pay rate is, as part of the entire compensation package you described?

No thanks. I'm done justifying myself on this thread. I'll take being deemed seemingly genuine as a reasonable place to stop.

Ha. Code for I'm embarrassed to say what I pay my broken English bargain nanny that I've convinced myself is amazing.

NP here. The poster you are badgering is correct about the existence of data showing that early exposure to multiple languages actually shapes the way pathways form the in the brain. She and her nanny are apparently happy with their arrangement. The rate she pays has nothing to do with the points she made. Her refusal to discuss it shows nothing more than the fact that she is too smart to be baited by a handful of nannies who are too simpleminded to meaningful engage about the substance of her post. Frankly, your insistence on bringing every discussion back to the nanny's rate reflects very poorly on you.

THANK YOU NP! I'm the person you're defending and you're right - I've spent too much time on DCUM to get into a discussion about specific numbers. In real life my nanny happily talks about what she earns, and I'm perfectly comfortable with her sharing the info because we all feel good about how she is compensated. On DCUM however, there is no winning.

I appreciate the support though!

[Anonymous]

It depends. A generation ago, most American children were cared for by native English speakers. Few children needed speech therapy at age three. What do you guys think?