OP here. Thanks to those who wrote constructive, helpful replies. Some posters automatically assume limited English = cheap labor, but that is not the case here. I wanted a nanny who could speak a second language to my child, but the ones who spoke English well would keep mixing the two. I know and accept that there are downsides to a nanny with limited English, such as the occasional mix-up. I was not annoyed about the mix-up, it is not the first and I laugh them off. I was annoyed that she would not offer to change her plans, which would be the professional thing to do since it was her mistake, not mine. This is actually the first big mix-up/mistake that stems from her non-fluent English, which again, I do not have a problem with. My beef is about her attitude. Whenever she makes a mistake, she acts like it's nothing unless I make it an issue. I've decided I'm not going to do so anymore unless it impacts DC's safety because I've just realized that these mistakes will never end. I've also decided the second language is not worth the restricted pool of candidates it is limiting me to. I am paying a Very Competitive rate that should attract a professional, experienced nanny with strong credentials. Our current nanny has good credentials (college grad, ECE coursework, teaching experience), but limited nannying experience and likewise, a lack of professionalism. I know without the second language requirement (and ability to speak it w/o mixing in English), I should be able to find the right person (I hope!).

Wow, you hire non aenglish speakers because you want cheap labor then complain that she is not good enough.

How much would you be willing to pay an experienced college grad nanny? Maybe only a xouple dollars more, right?

So, OP you get what you pay for.

I think the language barrier is always going to be an issue in some form.

Even native English speakers have communication issues.
Just be a regular visitor on this forum and you will know what I mean.

You need to find someone who speaks English more fluently because language barriers are compromising the safety of both your child + home.

Let her go, it's too dangerous to keep her around.

Sorry about these mean responses.

One needs a tough, leather skin to post anything on here.

Some of your complaints seem pretty reasonable, but some seem like you've already decided you don't like her so now she can't do anything right. Given that, I think you should look for a new nanny, this one is not a good fit and you've more or less "turned" on her.

She doesn't have a professional attitude because she's not a professional. I don't know what you're paying her. If it's a high rate, you should get a real professional. If it's not, you have to decide how important that is to you.

Which isn't to assume it is. All of us with APs have decided that it's not that important. Lots of people are perfectly competent to provide basic childcare.

Let her go. A professional attitude is an important quality. As your son gets older, there will be more and more differences between what she finds important and what you do, and you can see that she has no intention of making your priorities hers.

Anonymous wrote:I don't like you, OP. You sound terribly entitled and bitchy.

Are you MB? OP make sure to screen out any uncouth when you hire your professional and English speaking nanny!

I don't like you, OP. You sound terribly entitled and bitchy.

Anonymous wrote:If you want a nanny with a professional attitude, you're going to have to hire/pay a professional. That means someone with a handle on English, who pays attention to important details, and who can handle the multitasking required of a good nanny. You have a warm body. I'm sure she's sweet and nice to your son, but her inattention to detail is putting him in harm's way. Hire a professional please.

This. If you have the slightest bit of anxiety about her detail to safety issues (which you do) then you need to find a more responsible and qualified nanny. They are out there.

If you want a nanny with a professional attitude, you're going to have to hire/pay a professional. That means someone with a handle on English, who pays attention to important details, and who can handle the multitasking required of a good nanny. You have a warm body. I'm sure she's sweet and nice to your son, but her inattention to detail is putting him in harm's way. Hire a professional please.

If she had dropped everything to get him, you probably would complain about the mess. She sounds like an empty head, but I'm sure you got a great deal!

You were home and she was trying to make lunch and you object to getting your son?
You should have offered unless you were literally about to walk out of the door.

I'd hire someone else and fire her. Not locking the door would be my deal-breaker.

Don't hire undocumented, foreign workers to care and teach your child, OP.

Our nanny has been with us about 4 months. She is great with 2 yo DC, but she's been annoying me lately about other things. What it comes down to is that she will make mistakes and does not take responsibility for them. For instance, she is always forgetting to lock the front door. After it happened several times, I asked that she come up with a way to remind herself and she asked that I put a note on the door for her. Why can't she remind herself?? We have safety latches on the cabinet doors and she forgets to lock these, too. I have stressed to her how important it is that DC not open these and she is sincerely apologetic, but that's all, she still occasionally forgets to lock them. I confirmed with her in December that she would watch DC this Sat. from "5 to 9" and somehow, she misunderstood and penciled us in for 12 - 5 p.m. and made plans that evening. Her English is not that strong so I excuse the mistake, but since it was her mistake, I feel like she should have changed her plans so we could keep ours. About a month ago, I happened to be home while she was watching DC who was napping. DC woke up while she was cooking lunch so she asked me to go get DC. That experience to me sums up in a nutshell her attitude towards her work. She just doesn't have a professional attitude. Sorry this is turning out to be a vent more than anything else...