To not contact this child minder again if she can't spell

[Mummyofonesofar]

I am expecting twins in March, I wanted to get in touch with a few childminders to find out what people are charging at the moment and maybe set up some viewings (haven't used one in years). I saw someone posted online recommending a childminder who has space now the poster's children were going to school and she passed me her mobile number.

I text and asked for some info about her. Got a reply and the first line is "I have bin childminding for 25 yrs".

You would think someone looking for work looking after children would bother to spell properly by text, so can only assume she thinks "bin" is the same as "been". AIBU to ignore the recommendation?

Bin is text talk anyway....

I wouldn't let her tutor my 15yo for GCSE English, but for young children her play-doh talents, cheerful personality and loving nature are higher priorities than her spelling ability.

My mum was a childminder for 35 years, and she's never been able to spell (possibly dyslexic, but she was just labelled 'thick' in her day). Anyway, I have a Ph.D. (and I can spell! - as long I've seen a word written once, I can spell it, and never forget it), my siblings have degrees, and most of the kids she looked after also have good degrees and good jobs. She is wonderful with children, and has far more common sense than I've ever had. Honestly, arrange a meeting with the childminder, and chat to her in person, don't make a decision based on her spelling.

Everything that nosquirrels said.

My husband has a degree in English and a masters in something else and he can't spell for toffee. Bin instead of been would make me wince though.

I think your priorities on her key skills required might change when you have two live babies on your hands

Congratulations on your pregnancy btw.

I text and asked for some info about her.

Well this isn't a grammatically correct sentence OP, but I won't judge you for it.

My CM gets her to/too/two's and there/their/they're's muddled up when writing sometimes. Doesn't mean she's not a brilliant CM.

Been vs bin is not a typo though.

I can't help thinking you've not had much to do with Apple's autocorrect then. Mine comes up tight the most ridiculous corrections imaginable.

And there is one for you right there. I did not type "tight" I typed "with" or some variation of it. Sigh.

Thanks TreadSoftly, yes two actual babies - scary thought! I will probably just be glad of the rest I am dyslexic so understand some people struggle too but didn't think been would be a word to struggle with.

Gosh I am a cm and not bosomy and wouldn't dresm of feeding mindees fish finger sandwiches.

Not sure when you last actually looked at childminders but you do need child care qualifications to generally a level 3 and I also have a nursing degree, they are SE so run their own businesses and have to jump through hoops for Ofsted.

It's not a business for the thick or faint hearted and it's far far more now than just 'looking after kids' for pin money. It's a career.

Op if I were you I would visit and get a feel for the setting.

I have to say i used to pick up one mindee from a nursery and found far too many of the young staff saying things like 'tar' for thank you and one said 'tarar' for goodbye. I am a brummie but wouldn't use slang like that for mindees.

I would also expect a cm to have basic language skills at the very least.

It depends... if you were online dating, would you dump a man for the same reason before meeting him? If yes, then I don't see why you should expect any less from someone who's going to look after your children. If no, then don't worry about it.

My CM couldn't spell. She was great at childcare - though tbf didn't really 'do' books/writing - more cosy play with doll and walks in the woods. Once I'd got to know her family, I found out her daughter had learning delays (dyslexia and other things). She knew all about how to get the best out of schools/statements. And she tuned in to DS2s needs without any fuss or prompting when he started exhibiting ASD traits.

Thanks Lostcat2 I may do that. I don't like ta either - it is hard enough for children learning to speak without giving them the wrong word so they then have to relearn the right one eventually! I never used baby speak with DS.

I care very much about language and I used to wince every time DS1 came home from nursery with his record book. Their spelling and grammar was painful - however, they loved him and he loved them and it didn't actually make any difference to his care, so it wasn't important.

I think maybe people who care about grammar are more likely to see poor grammar in others as a negative sign because if they used such language themselves, it would be an indication of not caring about or paying inadequate attention to the message (and by extension the receiver of the message). It's hard to tell in other people if that is just the way they speak/write or if they're just not sufficiently interested to check the message before sending.

Very very carefully reading that back now!!

just to add another YABU

Spelling ability has no bearing on childcare ability.

OP-your twins wont be with her long enough to probably even start writing let alone spelling words. Ours keeps a diary of DS (2) activities and very occasionally there are a few spelling mistakes, but as I'm reading about the lovely, fun, thoughtful activities she does with him each day, the care she puts into it and the sweet observations about him she makes, her spelling mistakes are the last thing on my mind. YABU.

My childminder is Polish and although speaks excellent english, her spelling is not the best. But she is so fantastic and lovely with my children that they dont want to come home! YABU

I'm a newly qualified child minder and former teacher; I would agree with everything that lost cat said.
A child minder will not be expected to teach spelling but they are a professional, running a business. Writing bin for been is not exactly professional so I would worry about other aspects of their business.

'I never used baby speak with DS.'

There is lots of evidence that infant-directed speech or baby-talk helps with language acquisition actually. A good child carer will know that.

NuffSaidSam I believe that is in the way words are used - not using slang terms. Each to their own I guess. DS had excellent speech so I must have done something right - his nursery didn't use it either.

I'm not talking about slang terms OP, I'm talking about 'baby speak', which is what you said you never used. Baby speak does not mean slang.

I know a brilliant child minder who suffers with dyslexia. She could look after my grandson any time. Trouble is, she's sooooo popular, reliable, and an all round good egg that I wouldn't have a chance to get him with her!

It isn't a typo. She either used text speak or thinks it's spelt that way.
It may not matter to others but it bothers you so isn't going to set you both off on the right footing.
I would suggest that you look at childminders who make a thing of the early years teaching they do.

NuffSaid I was talking about using "ta" "ta-ra" "narna" etc and other words people teach their children so it is easier but then have to introduce "Thank you" etc later

When I was looking for child minders, one messaged me asking "when was you thinking of coming to see me?"
There were others reasons I didn't find her suitable, but that in particular really bugged me.

So I can see where you're coming from. Although how she texts may not be indicative of poor language skills generally.

Speech and language are incredibly important in the early years IMO.

DS had excellent speech so I must have done something right

Not necessarily. I treated all 3 of mine the same and all 3 learned to speak differently.

DS1 in particular had excellent speech and I'm certain I would have used "baby talk" with him.

And guess what - they are 16, 14 and 9 now and all speak beautifully. Just like all of their peers. I believe it makes bog all difference whether a child learned so say ta of thank you.