When You Don't Speak The Same Language

[Sunchimes]

I got a call tonight for my opening. The lady just barely spoke English, but we managed to talk. She said she was calling for her friend because she didn't speak any English.

I doubt I'll hear back from her, but it made me wonder how I would handle it if she did. Do you have parents who speak no English and you don't speak their language? How do you handle it? Is it a problem?

[Starburst]

If I couldn't communicate with the parents directly I probably wouldn't take them. Communication between the provider and the parents are very important, as well as confidentiality. What if the friend mistranslates what you say? Because some things don't translate smoothly and that could cause huge issues! Or what if I need to tell her something and her translator isn't there? Does her translator plan on coming to all meetings and to drop off/ pick up everyday? What if there is an emergency- do you call DCM 1st or her translating friend? Also I would want daycare parents to be able to read and understand my policy handbook and all my bulletin boards.

[Meeko]

If I couldn't communicate with the parents directly I probably wouldn't take them. Communication between the provider and the parents are very important, as well as confidentiality. What if the friend mistranslates what you say? Because some things don't translate smoothly and that could cause huge issues! Or what if I need to tell her something and her translator isn't there? Does her translator plan on coming to all meetings and to drop off/ pick up everyday? What if there is an emergency- do you call DCM 1st or her translating friend? Also I would want daycare parents to be able to read and understand my policy handbook and all my bulletin boards.

This exactly.

Contracts are important. I would not want a parent to sign a contract they couldn't read and I wouldn't want to spend all my time trying to enforce it. It's hard enough with those who supposedly DO understand!!!!

When it comes to children, a situation could become dangerous if you cannot communicate with the parent. I don't want that liability.

[MarinaVanessa]

I would worry about the contract and policies. Of you can't talk to them then how cab you communicate? And they can't sign a contract that they don't understand. Well, they can but it won't be enforceable if you go to court for some reason because they can't read it. That's why when you go to large chain gyms or car dealerships they have contracts in several languages and a phone number that they call if they don't speak the same language. The call is to a translator that helps them explain everything and walks them through the contract.

[Blackcat31]

I would worry about the contract and policies. Of you can't talk to them then how cab you communicate? And they can't sign a contract that they don't understand. Well, they can but it won't be enforceable if you go to court for some reason because they can't read it. That's why when you go to large chain gyms or car dealerships they have contracts in several languages and a phone number that they call if they don't speak the same language. The call is to a translator that helps them explain everything and walks them through the contract.

One of the requirements for the QRIS program here is to provide contracts and policies in more than one language if necessary.

(NOT saying I agree....just saying that according to our trainer, not doing so could be considered a form of discrimination and or exclusion and the whole point of today's ECE movement is for 100% inclusion in almost all areas.)

[Meeko]

One of the requirements for the QRIS program here is to provide contracts and policies in more than one language if necessary.

(NOT saying I agree....just saying that according to our trainer, not doing so could be considered a form of discrimination and or exclusion and the whole point of today's ECE movement is for 100% inclusion in almost all areas.)

I interview several parents for each daycare slot available and then I choose which families would be the best fit for me. Those who don't speak English are not a good fit. It's not discrimination...it's good common sense.

[AmyKidsCo]

I had a Chinese girl for a couple of months. She and her parents spoke no English, the grandparents spoke minimal English. It was really hard to communicate with all of them, but I was also younger and now I think I'd have better tools and strategies if I were in the same situation again. If you end up with the child you may be able to find translators in your area - check school districts, the police, hospitals, etc. There are also online translation tools, but since you don't know the other language you won't be able to tell how accurate the translations are.

[Sunchimes]

Thanks everyone. You pretty much repeated my concerns. I took 2 years of Spanish over 40 years ago. I can count to 100 and say most of the days of the week, and I still have a few random words, but that's it.

I hadn't thought about having the handbook translated. If she calls back, that's a good idea. I still think it would be really hard and I don't think I want to deal with it. I'm not looking at ECE or any levels, so I don't have to worry about that. It occurs to me that if mom didn't speak English the child probably wouldn't either. Well, that's my mind made up. Thanks!

[Oneluckymom]

What if there was an emergency....how do you communicate then? I would worry about everything that could possibly happen.

[Michelle]

I had a girl that was Chinese and she translated for her mom and I didn't think it was right or fair that she had to do this.
I was new and thought I could at least try..

Thankfully she was really good because could you imagine me telling her." tell your mom you got in trouble today"
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yea right

[spud912]

I had a girl that was Chinese and she translated for her mom and I didn't think it was right or fair that she had to do this.
I was new and thought I could at least try..

Thankfully she was really good because could you imagine me telling her." tell your mom you got in trouble today"
::::
yea right

My dh is first generation and he totally used that to his advantage when he was young. He told me that on a few occasions, he would need a signature on a document detailing his bad behavior and he would tell his parents that it was something school related ::::.