Recent Posts:
Katrin, Ann-Christin, Carina, Nina and Rita Arrive Tomorrow!!!
Thursday, 29 July 2010, 9:29 am by krelstab
Katrin
Ann-Christin
Carina
Nina
Rita
My Kids Are In School Do I Need An Au-pair?
Thursday, 29 July 2010, 9:16 am by Julie LabesNadia Price
As full-time childcare is usually mainly required before the children attend school, the au pair program option is considered an alternative to full-time daycare or a nanny. However, there are many busy families with children ranging from 3 months to 14 years old, that also choose the au pair program option. Today, we will discuss the advantages of an au pair for families with children from 6 to 14 years old:
FLEXIBILITY
An au pair provides complete flexibility of schedule, including the ability to work split shifts, with some hours in the morning, and some hours in the afternoon through evening. An au pair is also available to fill in gaps in school-care during snow days, teacher work days and school breaks.
Additionally, they can work some evenings and week-ends to help with family or sports events, or provide parents a date night per week. No matter what, they are available up to 45 hours per week/ 10 hours per day, with 1.5 consecutive days off per week (one of those being a full week-end per month).A SECOND SET OF HANDS
Au pairs can help get the children get ready for school each morning, and drive them or walk them to the bus station. Some additional time can be scheduled for daily chores, from picking up the living room area, emptying the dishwasher to handling the children’s laundry and getting their sports bags ready for soccer class.
In the afternoon hours, they can also help with taking the kids to extra-curricular activities, assist them with homework, and getting dinner ready.THE EXPOSURE TO A SECOND LANGUAGE
With an au pair that has a good level of English, your children will enjoy their relationship with a “big sister” figure, there to help them, be part of the family for a year and provide exposure to their native language and culture. Older children will have a better understanding of the au pair’s background and have the opportunity to keep in touch beyond their year (or two) together.
And if they take the au pair’s native language in school, what a great opportunity to practise what they learn at home!If you have school-aged children and are considering hiring someone to help you, we can discuss your needs and expectations and figure out the au pair profile that would be a great match for your family!
To learn more about this affordable, flexible childcare, please call Julie Labes (561) 792-6144
Settling in with a new au pair or host family
Thursday, 29 July 2010, 9:10 am by kweissIt’s high season for au pair arrivals and that means there’s a lot of excitement, anticipation and anxiety in the air. While every host family and every au pair hopes that they’ve made the right match, the moment of truth comes once the au pair has arrived and settled into the family’s routine.
It would be wise at this point if everyone just took a deep breath, placed their expectations aside and opened themselves to the new possibilities and unique gifts each family and each au pair brings to the table. Here are a few tips to start your year on a good note:
- Spend a few minutes every day in conversation…even when the au pair is “off duty,” talk with one another and get to know each other. The more you know about someone, the more you WANT to know. Become the “family” you want to be.
- Review the house rules as they pertain to: curfew, car use, visitors and guests. Don’t forget rules regarding respect for other family members. Few problems arise when everyone understands and abides by the family rules.
- Have fun! Success in the realm of family life requires equal parts of love, laughter and acceptance. Make time for the things you enjoy.
- When in doubt, ASK! Au pairs often hesitate to discuss difficult issues, but letting time pass without resolution can make things worse.
- Stay positive. Think the best of the other person and they will aspire to it! It’s a simple rule of thumb, but it’s true. Some of us tend to “awfulize” situations when we don’t have the facts. Be open, truthful and smile–and tell yourself this is going to be a great year!
Our Whale Watch
Thursday, 29 July 2010, 7:03 am by aweisersmithFor our July meeting we went whale watching, leaving from Kennebunkport, Maine. It was a long trip and at the end we actually did see a whale, it was a “small” minke whale. But we were lucky to see lots of dolphins and seals.
We have a great mix of cultures in our group. The au pairs come from Columbia, Germany, Thailand, Sweden, Poland, Norway and Australia.
Au Pairs Facilitate Cultural Exchanges With Host Families
Thursday, 29 July 2010, 1:04 am by tramsay
Nele Grasshoff, a 20-year-old au pair from Hamburg, Germany, with 4-year-old Lilly Ramsay and her 11-month-old sister, Tessa, at the Ramsay home in Dillon Valley. Summit Daily/Mark Fox
DILLON VALLEY - When local mom Tammy Ramsay had her second daughter, she knew her child care options had to change.
Tammy and her husband, Ryan, both have full-time jobs, and two kids meant signigicant additions to their daycare expenses.
Getting an au pair - or a live-in nanny from another country - made sense to the Ramsays. And 20-year-old Nele Grasshoff of Hamburg, Germany, fit the bill.
More than six months into their year-long contract, both the family and Grasshoff are happy with their exchange. Grasshoff will live with the family as an au pair for one year, through November.
“It’s affordable, especially with two or more kids,” Tammy Ramsay said. “And she’s just like another family member.”
Even better, Ramsay said she’s saved about $7,000 a year by getting an au pair, since they already had an extra bedroom and plenty of food.
Another pair of eyes
Both Ramsay and Grasshoff said having an au pair in the family is helpful because there’s always another pair of hands and eyes - a second in command to help out.
“It’s been a journey for our family,” Ramsay said. “We wanted to try it for a year. Now we wonder how we did it without it.”
Grasshoff lives with the Ramsays, shares meals with them, and has her own room and bathroom. What’s expected of her in return is to help care for the Ramsays’ two daughters - Lilly, 4, and Tessa, 11 months - for 45 hours a week.
“She’s like a big sister,” Ramsay said.
As an au pair, Grasshoff must be given a day-and-a-half off a week, and one weekend off a month. Since the family works regular work weeks, they’ve generally been able to give Grasshoff her weekends off.
“For me, it’s so great as a mom having the one person,” Ramsay said. “Before, when the kids were sick, I had to stay home from work. Now if the kids are sick, I don’t have to stay home. I can travel.”
The concept of having an au pair is growing in Summit and Eagle counties. Ramsay, who’s now the local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, said there are 13 au pairs throughout the area.
Some are from other organizations, she said.
“The screening process is phenomenal, and it matches families and au pairs through values and activities,” Ramsay said. “They have references, and Cultural Care does background screenings.”
A cultural exchange
Ramsay said she truly appreciates the cultural exchange between her family and Grasshoff.
Sometimes Grasshoff cooks the children German food, and she’s able to teach them German words, nursery rhymes and songs. She’s also is fluent in English, so being able to communicate with the family isn’t difficult.
“The kids will also be learning Spanish at Dillon Valley Elementary,” Ramsay added, saying this international education is important to her.
As part of her job, Grasshoff takes the kids to swim lessons, tumbling lessons, the farmer’s market and play dates.
“She knows other au pairs from other countries, and the kids are able to be around them,” Ramsay said. “I love that they’re able to do those things since I can’t always take them.”
Why be an au pair?
When Grasshoff graduated from high school in Germany, she wanted to do something abroad before she went on to a university.
“I’m really close to my family, so I didn’t want to be alone in a foreign country,” Grasshoff said. “It’s a good job if you like kids.”
And the German girl’s time isn’t simply spent taking care of children. She’s been able to travel - both with the family and on her own - throughout her time in Colorado, and she’s been everywhere from Minnesota to California.
According to Grasshoff, a plus for hiring an au pair is having a close relationship with your childcare professional.
“It’s like family,” she said. “It’s having dinner together. Little stuff. You feel more comfortable. It’s good for the kids to have one person taking care of them.”
Grasshoff also said it’s important for a family to realize having an au pair isn’t like having a full-time baby-sitter. They must respect that au pairs are required to have time off.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for both sides,” she said. “The family and I have both learned a lot.”
Grasshoff said the kids, especially Lilly, are definitely getting a “bigger concept of the world” by having her care for them.
“They’ll probably remember me for a lifetime,” she said.
Ramsay agreed, saying her family plans to visit Grasshoff in Germany once her time as their au pair has ended.
For more information about Cultural Care Au Pair, call its new local childcare coordinator - Tammy Ramsay - at (970) 470-2874.
Current Promotions!
Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 9:35 pm by jgarman
“Repeat with us” and save up to $1,000!
We welcome families from other au pair agencies to repeat with us. As a family experienced with the au pair program, host families who switch to Cultural Care Au Pair are entitled to $1,000 in savings! These savings include a $75 application fee waiver, and a standing $775 program fee discount and free overseas connections (a $150 value). Please call 1-800-333-6056 and select option 2 to receive the promotion code. Families must submit proof of payment of their agency’s program fees (proof of payment of application fee does not qualify). The $775 program fee savings will be applied upon receipt of proof of payment.
$300 Pre-Arranged Match Discount
Families who find their own future au pair are entitled to a $300 program fee discount. The candidate must meet Cultural Care Au Pair’s screening requirements and must complete the Screening & Orientation Day in the appropriate recruitment country. Total savings cannot exceed $650. No promotion code necessary: savings will be applied upon approval of candidate.
$650 Multiples Discount
Families with multiples can save big! Apply using promotional code PCMUL2010 and enjoy a $275 selection fee waiver and a $375 program fee discount. Families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and welcome an au pair by December 31, 2010 to enjoy these savings.
Repeat Families: Save up to $2,000 in Repeat Family Rewards!
Families who extend with their current au pair are entitled to a $75 application fee waiver, $275 selection fee waiver and up to $1,650 in program fee savings. Total savings = up to $2,000! Families who re-apply to host another Cultural Care au pair are entitled to a $75 application fee waiver, a $275 selection fee credit on their account, a $250 repeat family discount, and complimentary overseas connection service ($150 value). Families who apply early enough can earn an additional $250 early matching bonus! Total savings = up to $1,000! For an early matching bonus deadline chart, visit the Host Family Info Source. No promotion code necessary; discounts are applied automatically.
Host Family Referral Program
Current host families earn a $20 Borders gift card or $20 program fee discount for every family they refer during the month of May. If you refer 1 - 4 host families who accept an au pair by October 22, 2010, you can choose to receive a $250 program fee discount or cash bonus for each. For any additional families you refer who welcome an au pair by October 22, 2010, that bonus increases to a $500 program fee discount or cash bonus per family! Referred families will receive a $200 program fee discount upon welcoming an au pair into their home. When host families refer 10 new families that welcome an au pair into their home by October 22, 2010 the referring family will receive a full year of service for FREE!* Refer now!Incentive Makes “Cents” for CCAP New Host Families
Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 8:38 pm by dfiedlerOne Month of FREE CHILDCARE
To make our program even more affordable, CCAP is offering new families who apply between July 6th and July 31st using promotion code PCOFM2010 a $550 program fee discount-the equivalent of one month of FREE CHILDCARE! Families will also receive a free overseas connection service during the matching process (a $150 value). The total value of this promotion is $700! To enjoy these savings, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and must welcome an au pair into their home by October 22, 2010. Spread the word and feel free to contact me if you know of friends and family members who might be interested! Or just tell them to contact me (they can be anywhere in the Chicago area) but they should mention your names!WELCOME NEW HOST FAMILY MEMBERS
Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 8:36 pm by alangCongratulation Tania and Bud
Look at the cuties: Angela and Julia
Welcome to Minnesota!
Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 6:55 pm by lgirouardI am pleased to welcome three new au pairs who have arrived to the U.S. in the past week. Kerstin is from Germany. She enjoys soccer, in line skating and writing poetry. She is adjusting to life with her host family in Savage. Katharina will join her host family in Burnsville this weekend. She is also from Germany and we are likely to find her on Buck Hill this winter as she enjoys skiing and snowboarding. Our third arrival is also from Germany. She will arrive this coming weekend to meet her family in Prior Lake. Amina-Luise is looking forward to seeing the sights of Minnesota. She likes camping and staying fit. Welcome!
I Love My Au Pair Website launched
Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 5:56 pm by dmcnaryHaving an Au Pair become a part of your family is a very rewarding experience and one that is so much more than what it begins as…a way to provide flexible childcare. When most families start out looking for a way to juggle children, careers, crazy schedules and everything else that goes into a busy life they look at many many options. The focus is on childcare.
When families choose Cultural Care Au Pair something happens and they begin to experience so much more than just childcare!! They begin to have alot of fun with the Au Pairs and with watching the fun the children have with these same Au Pairs!!
Cultural Care Au Pair encouraged our families to not only tell us- but also to show us what fun they were having and they did- so much so that we launched a website that tells the story, better than we ever could. Take a look and see for yourselves!!!
http://www.ilovemyaupair.com/index.html
If you would like additional information please contact me - I would love to talk with you and see if Cultural Care Au Pair would be a great fit for you and your family!!
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