"I cannot fathom who would pay more than $20/hr for a nanny who is illiterate. How you could get to the point of hiring someone at that level without having some awareness of her language skills also escapes me. "

Not pp but...
Because it is much easier to know what to look out for the second time around. As a FTM honestly it did not occur to me to screen for literacy. I am aware that some people are illiterate but had actually never known anyone before who was. And this is not really normally all that obvious with an infant. By the time it dawned on me that my nanny very likely could not read she had been with us for a long time and we as great in most all other areas.

I think what is most dangerous is not knowing a nanny might be unable to read. If you know it then it is not at all ideal but you can compensate by oral explanations or timing medicine doses for when you are home. Again it is far from ideal but most problematic if you do not know about it.

"I cannot fathom who would pay more than $20/hr for a nanny who is illiterate. How you could get to the point of hiring someone at that level without having some awareness of her language skills also escapes me. "

Not pp but...
Because it is much easier to know what to look out for the second time around. As a FTM honestly it did not occur to me to screen for literacy. I am aware that some people are illiterate but had actually never known anyone before who was. And this is not really normally all that obvious with an infant. By the time it dawned on me that my nanny very likely could not read she had been with us for a long time and we as great in most all other areas.

I think what is most dangerous is not knowing a nanny might be unable to read. If you know it then it is not at all ideal but you can compensate by oral explanations or timing medicine doses for when you are home. Again it is far from ideal but most problematic if you do not know about it.

Yes, for someone making $20/Hr. she most definitely should know basic reading and writing skills.

But I wouldn't contact past employers. No good would come of it I am positive.

You fire her and move on. No need to call other families, but if anyone in the future calls you for a reference, be honest about your experience.

This sounds just like at least one prior post this summer.

I cannot fathom who would pay more than $20/hr for a nanny who is illiterate. How you could get to the point of hiring someone at that level without having some awareness of her language skills also escapes me.

You didn't do your job when hiring.

Enroll her in a class. Wow over 20 an hr. I have a degree in early childhood education, have been a nanny for over 10 years and the most I have ever made is 13.50 per hr. I wish I could find these high paying nanny positions that seem to be so prevalent on dcum.

You knew this when you hired her. Why is it now an issue?

There's no point in contacting the other families. Yes, for that much money the person should be able to read. I would not hire someone who couldn't read or write.

Our nanny is functionally illiterate. I'm very worried about this in case there is an emergency and thinking of terminating her as a requirement of the job is to read and write proficiently in English. The other side of me wants to help her and get her enrolled in an adult literacy program. The other families and references specifically mentioned her reading to their children and her resume was obviously done by her prior employer. Why would another familly leave out this crucial information? Am I the only person who thinks someone making more than $20 an hour should be able to read and write? Also, do you think I should contact the other families for more information on this, as I am so upset.