Written language skills in childcarers?

[PixiNanny]

Has anybody else noticed the adverts on gumtree and other services (and on forums) that Nannies and other carers don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of correct grammar and spelling? I've seen many adverts that have not one capital letter in them despite being a good few hundred words long, and a massive lack of grammar all around.

Now I understand that these are forums and websites, however surely you would want to put yourself forward in a manner that will have potential clients thinking "This person has a good grasp on the English language and will be good for my child to be around."

It's the gumtree adverts that really get me I must admit (have been trawling through it trying to find work and all I get are nannies advertising services).

Do you (employers this is) judge potential nannies/MHs/APs on this or just ignore it? I suppose I'm just a bit annoyed as I always make an effort to speak well and write well yet I never seem to be able to find work

I hate it when there is bad spelling and honestly think it is because they are not being taught properly at school.

It would reflect badly for me if a nanny couldn't spell.

sniggers knowinglypixi read about the interview I had today!

I hate it...hate, hate, hate it. I might use and abuse the English language on here but when I'm writing a CV, advert, profile or cover letter I always make sure my spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. It doesn't reflect well on a potential nanny, their educating ability and general attitude if they can't be bothered to fill in simple things correctly. Everyone has spell-check, use it!

I'm glad that I'm not the only one!

It just bugs me so much that my CV is all perfectly spelt ans well-worded, when I go to interviews I prepare and think about what I want to say and when texting/on forums I try to use accurate spelling and punctuation (though don't double check on forums!) and then there are girls around here who's spoken language skills are terrible and their written language skills are worse!

I didn't interview people who had poorly written CV's, and didn't contact ones who had poorly written gumtree adverts (or gumtree photos that would be more appropriate on a dating site, or more). I did interview one nanny who was complaining about the type of response she was getting from gumtree, I later found her advert, and having seen the pick I wasn't surprised

I am advertising for staff atm & the range of CVs is amazing from beautifully written/formatted/designed to barely readable

As admin is part of the job it has made sifting much easier

I don't give poorly constructed CVs a second look whether it is for a potential nanny or for a position in the office. Either you are uneducated or you are sloppy. Neither is acceptable. I do , however, cut some slack if English is not your first language.

Our current nanny is Polish and her English is not perfect. However, it is much better than my Polish.

I was talking about this to one of my friends. They have said that if any CVs came with any error (spelling or grammar), it went straight in the bin.

The errors that some people think they can get away with are shocking.

Surely if you're looking or applying for jobs, you spellcheck everything and let others read it too so that you know it is as good as it can be.

Yep, I'm with you on this one. Whether for my DC or for an employee at work, spelling/grammar etc matters.

I won't look twice at anything that has mistakes. (But then, my DH accuses me of being a 'grammar-Nazi' in that I'll happily rant about the standard generally found in letters from banks and the like these days!)

I'd actually think it was more important when putting yourself forward as a candidate for caring for someone's child than for most jobs. Why on Earth would a parent employ someone to spend all that time with their little one if they can't use correct English?

This post has made me laugh! I am a nanny and i have dyslexia. My spelling is awful, sometimes i forget how to spell really simple words, the other day i really couldnt rememeber how to spell old! I just really couldnt rememeber what letters made the sound 'ol'. Because of this, when writing CVs, letters, my essays at uni, i ALWAYS have spell check on and whilst at uni, always had one of those hand held electronic spell checkers with me! If i can create grammatically and spellings perfect CVs, anyone can. I would assume that parents would want a nanny to help their child with spellings, so i would want to come across as someone who can spell!

Sorry for the non-reply until now!

sarz, you are a good example of the opposite of those who do this by the looks of things! I have heard so many people blame dyslexia for their poorly written CVs and statements yet they seem to have never heard of dictionaries and spell checkers! It is not difficult in today's world to portray ones self on paper in a good way, however many seem to completely disregard this

P.S. still haven't got a job, hence replying as in a bitchy mood

Oh dear Pixi. Nothing coming up in your local area?

Nope, no childcare work, no care work, no shop work, nothing. I'm trying to find carework now as it's the type of job with the most vacancies in this area but even the companies desperate for employees; so desperate that they call me up a week after sending my app to me asking if I've recieved it? Did I send it back? Do I want to go collect another in case it's become a victim of the postal strike? etc... haven't even contacted me back yet. Quite depressing!