Au Pair News

Recent Posts:

July Au Pair Meeting - Como Zoo Scavenger Hunt!
Thursday, 9 July 2009, 11:07 am by tkapaun
Au Pair Scavenger Hunt!!!
This will be a great time for all au pairs in the metro area - including au pairs from other agencies! Bring your guest au pairs and split up into teams to earn as many points as you can. There is no cost unless you want to donate to Kids First to earn more points. Wear your blue t-shirts for points and meet at the Picnic Pavilion at Como Zoo (corner of Midway Parkway and Horton Ave) at 4:00! You will have until 6 p.m. to collect as many clues as you can. There will be prizes!!!!
Take me out to the ball game…July au pair meeting reminder
Thursday, 9 July 2009, 10:33 am by ibraucher
July 19 (Sunday) 1:00 PM   Come to the famous Cincinnati Reds Ballgame!
“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out to with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and crack
                                                                     I don`t care if I never come back
                              Let me root for the home team
                                       If they don`t win It`s a shame,
          For it`s one, two, three strikes, you`re out,
                                     At the old ball game.”
Baseball on both the professional and amateur levels is very popular in the United States. Beseball is the number 1 game in the USA. The modern version of the game developed in North America beginning in the eighteenth century. The consensus of historians is that it evolved from bat-and-ball games, such as rounders, brought to the continent by British and Irish immigrants. By the late nineteenth century, baseball was widely recognized as the National Sport of the United States.
For more information please go to www.cincinnatireds.com
The ticket cost $13/person. We are able to get a group discount(50% ) if we have 25 people who is attending the event. I will need your RSVP by July 15.
Upcoming Stipend Increase
Thursday, 9 July 2009, 12:05 am by schehimi
Effective the week of the week of July 20th 2009, the weekly stipend will increase to $195.75. This increase is based on legislation passed by Congress in May 2007 to increase federal minimum wage which is used to calculate the au pair stipend.
July Host Family and Au Pair meeting cancelled
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 11:30 pm by sshane
Due to the Central TX drought and water shortage we are forced to cancel the Kids First Carwash for our July HF/AP event. Our sponsor, Chick-Fil-A has decided that they cannot support our carwash at this time due to the water shortage.

Jerri and I have decided to postpone the HF meeting once again so that we can plan the meeting with the au pairs.
“Talk Time” at the Seattle Public Library
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 7:59 pm by klonergan
This is a free ESL conversation group - a great opportunity for au pairs to practice speaking English in a relaxed, friendly setting. (Note that this does not count towards your educational component.)
Summer Talk Time hours are as follows:
Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays
July 6 - Aug. 17
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays
July 8 - Aug. 19
Beacon Hill Branch
2821 Beacon Ave. S.
10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays
July 11 - Aug. 22
Lake City Branch
12501 28th Ave. N.E.
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
July 9 - Aug. 18
Rainier Beach Branch
9125 Rainier Ave. S.
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
July 8 - Aug. 19
For more information see the library’s ESL website or call 206-386-4148 or 206-684-0849
Language Academy For Children Ages 2 - 10 Years Old
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 6:14 pm by jpatterson
Hi Host Parents:
Since you have an appreciation for cultural knowledge, I wanted to make you aware of a Language Academy for Children 2 - 10 years old that is run by Susanne Jacobsen. I have provided a link to this academy, under “miscellaneous” on my website so you can acquire more detailed information.
Lingua Language Academy is a language immersion school with a multiage environment, teaching preschool and grade school children in effectively learning and mastering foreign languages. Established in 2007, Lingua is located at 7811 Mad River Road in Dayton, Ohio. The school serves children whose families recognize the benefit of foreign language education for tomorrow’s career security and value a young child’s natural ability to become bilingual. Through immersion, we focus on the entire child development of the learning process to aid in the many social, academic and economic benefits of bilingualism.
In addition to the immersion program, Lingua offers an afternoon program to expand language proficiency for school age children. In a peaceful and motivating environment, children will engage in other enjoyable subjects such as drama, chorus, spelling, geography and science, using foreign language as the mode of instruction. Applying foreign language learning to multiple academic subjects will help children see the “big picture” of how to utilize their new skills in everyday life.
If you feel this is of interest to you, please contact Susanne at 937-428-4880 or through her website at: www.linguacademy.com and let her know you saw this information on my website.
Thanks Host Families!!
Starbucks, Chestnut Hill at 5:30!!!!! No concert tonight for us!
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 4:44 pm by ejacobs
Hello Hamptons Families!
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 3:49 pm by sfreierman
I raised two wonderful daughters in Montauk when there were zero childcare options. So I’m very happy to have become the Local Childcare Coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair after many years as a business consultant. I get to use all my management expertise; the great energy I’m known for; and a genuine concern for and connection with the community to help families find high-quality, flexible, affordable childcare.
In the next few weeks, I’ll be connecting with many existing family resources in the Hamptons so that I can share their activities with my host families, my au pairs and you. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or requests. And just watch this space!
Thanks so much,
Sima
Au Pair Tips
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 3:33 pm by jcasey
BEING PART OF THE FAMILY:
1. Spend as much time as you can with your host family! This is most important during your first couple of weeks together. The more of your free time that you spend with your host family, the more you will get to know them and let them get to know you!
2. Have dinner with your host family as often as you can. Also, help out as a family member by asking to help set up or clean up the dishes, and help out in the kitchen. This is a great time to really start to feel like you are a member of the family.
3.Participate in social events and family events with your host family. These might include: outings to the museum, zoo, park, or sporting events. They might also be birthday parties, holidays and special celebrations. You can have fun while bonding with your family, and you’ll also learn a lot about American culture.
4. Share your culture with your host family. Talk about your country, teach the family some of your language, teach the kids some of your songs and games, and prepare some food from your country. Your family will love this, and it will make you feel closer to home, especially if you are feeling homesick.
5. Enjoy all of the little things throughout the year, don’t only focus on the big things.
6. By asking what you can do to help, you are showing the family and kids that you care about them.
7. When you go out to dinner with the host family, you can still help out as a family member. Even though you are not working, you can make the experience more fun and more enjoyable by keeping the kids entertained, helping out with their food, and keeping up a conversation. Make sure you always thank your host parents for dinner!
8. Good hygiene is really important! Make sure you shower and wear deodorant daily.
9. Make your bed every day, and also keep your room clean and your clothes picked up.
10. Keep the bathroom you use tidy and clean it at least once a week.
11. Keep the car(s) you use clean and neat. Respect your curfew and mileage limits.
12. Do not bring the car home without gas. No one, for any reason, should be smoking or drinking in the car.
ABOUT YOUR AU-PAIR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Say “Good morning” and smile when you first see your host family and host children! It’s a nice way to start your day!
2. Have fun with your work! Try to stay positive, outgoing, and enthusiastic.
3. Bond with the children. By showing an interest and asking the children what they like to do, you will get to know them and that will strengthen the bond between you. This will make, both your job and their experience very rewarding.
4. Do not ever tell the the host parents, “That’s not my job!” If you feel that the host family is asking you to do more than your duties as an Au-Pair, speak with your local coordinator. Remember, you are there to take care of the children, and if the job asked of you relates to the children, chances are, it IS your job!
5. Make sure that you are ALWAYS on time! This is really important, and applies to starting work, picking up the kids, taking the kids to school and activities, putting the kids to bed, meal times, and your curfew. If you are late a lot, the host parents and the kids will lose trust in you.
6. It’s always a good idea to write down reminders for yourself, just in case. This is really good for changes in a normal schedule or upcoming important events!
7. When you are working, you need to make sure that you are always working. You need to either be watching the children, or doing childcare- related things. This is the time that the host family is paying you to work, and should be treated like any other job, meaning: no television, no hanging out in your room, no showering, no personal errands, no letter or e-mail writing, no personal phone calls, no playing on the computer/internet. You wouldn’t be able to do these things at any other job, and this job should be treated no differently!
8. VERY IMPORTANT: Never leave the kids alone! Especially outside, in the bathroom, in the car, or near a lake or a pool.
9. Never use the words “stupid” or “hate.” These words are very powerful, and if used incorrectly can offend and hurt your host family and the kids.
10. Make sure that you never compare you situation with your host family to another au pair and his/her host family. Each family is different, and while some things may seem better, a lot of things are not.
11. Never answer the door to anyone you do not know unless your host parents have told you specifically ahead of time.
ABOUT YOUR HOST CHILDREN
1. Make sure you can see your kids at all times! If you can’t see them, they are too far away from you.
2. The most important part of your job as an Au-Pair is to KEEP THE KIDS SAFE!
3. Play! Have fun! The best part about being an Au-Pair is getting to get involved and play with the kids. The best part of being an Au_Pair is to be involved and play with the kids. Have fun, be silly, be creative and playful! The kids will love it, and you will have a great time as well! You should spend more time playing and getting involved with the kids doing activities or games then you do watching television with the children.
4. Keep in mind that American children will be different than the children in your home country.
5. Just like kids from your home country, kids here are not perfect. They will have bad days, they will make mistakes, and they will do the wrong thing from time to time. Make sure you remember that they are the kids and you are the adult. Don’t argue back at them or yell at them, but react to them as an adult.
6. Do not take things the kids may say or do personally because when kids are mad they will say or do things that they do not mean. Try to develop a “thick skin.”
7. Be sensitive to the kids; they love you whether you are “on” or “off” working hours.
8. Always encourage your host kids with school, sports, with everything! It will help them stay positive and have good self-esteem.
9. Try to attend as many important events the kids have that you can. If you are unable to go, always ask about them. For example: How was the soccer game? Did your team win? How did you play?
10. You are the “eyes and ears” for the host parents. You may see a behavior change with the kids a lot sooner than the host parents are able to. Make sure you tell your host family if you see something different or of concern. Also, you will be the one to hear what the kids say when they come home from school, and to hear what they need for the next day. Make sure you tell the host family.
11. Be really careful that you do not favor one child over the other(s); treat all the kids the same.
ABOUT YOUR HOST PARENTS:
1. Host parents are usually very busy, which is why they decided to have you help out! Don’t be offended if they come home from work tired, upset, or don’t talk with you as much as you’d like. Just like you, they need a little time to unwind after a long and hard day.
2. When your host parent is in a bad mood, remember that it does not mean that it is your fault. Sometimes people just get in bad moods, especially after a stressful day at work.
3. Always make time to tell your host parents about your day with the kids or to ask them questions that you have.
4. If you have questions about your work or your responsibilities with the kids, ask them! Even if they seem like silly questions, it is better to ask them to know what to do, instead of making a mistake.
5. Communicate! Sometimes this can be really hard, but this is the best way to solve problems early and for good. If you don’t communicate with your host family, problems can grow and get out of hand until they become bigger problems that will not go away. If you need help communicating with your family, ask your local coordinator for some tips.
6. Always say “Thank you!” This is a huge part of the American culture. Make sure you say “Thank you” for dinners, gifts, vacations, etc.
7. It is never a good idea to tell your host parents that you disagree with the way they are raising their children. The way American families raise their kids may be very different than what you are used to, but rather than making it an attack or a hurtful comment, maybe sit down with your host parents and make it a conversation about how things are different here. Never tell your host parents they should be doing something differently with their children, home, or life.
8. Do not talk with other Au-Pairs or you friends and family about your host family’s private life. Things in your host family need to stay in the host family.
9. Also, do not tell your host family about things other Au-Pairs tell you about their host families.
10. Do not call your host parents at work unless it is an emergency or they have specifically asked you to do so.
ABOUT YOU HOST PARENTS HOUSE - YOUR HOME:
1. You should always leave the house the same way that it was when you entered it. Clean up after yourself and the kids throughout the day. Put things away in the same place that you got them from.
2. This is your house too! Act like a family member, in the same way you would in your own family. For example, you might bring in the mail, take out the garbage, bring in empty garbage cans from the street… small things that are helpful on a day-to-day basis.
3. Lock the doors when you come home. Discuss with your host family what they would like you to do if you are the last one home at the end of the day/late at night. For example, turn off the lights.
4. Do not give out any information about yourself, your family, or your home, especially to strangers, unless you have your host family’s permission.
5. Do not visit inappropriate websites, your host parents will be able to see what websites you go to.
6. Don’t download anything on to the computer without asking your host family first. It is not your computer, and you might accidentally damage it.
7. If you have an accident or spill something, please tell your host parents immediately. They can help you remove the stain. If stains are not taken care of right away, they usually become permanent.
8. Do not leave empty dishes or glasses in your room. Any leftover food or drinks need to be disposed of immediately to prevent bugs or mice from coming into your room!
9. Always close your windows when you leave the house in case it rains.
10. Turn off the TV, stereo, lights, curling irons, water, etc. when you are not in a room. These things can get really expensive if left on unnecessarily.
Stipend Increase is coming….
Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 12:57 pm by rcronin
Au Pair Stipend Increase for 2009 Coming Soon!
Just a reminder that the weekly stipend will be increasing to $195.75 in July. Please read below for more information.Adjust accordingly-your au pair’s weekly stipend payment should reflect this change the week of July 20th.
Please contact me with any questions.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The current weekly au pair stipend is $176.85 per week. The calculation used to determine the au pair stipend amount is a combination of the federal minimum wage as well as a room and board allowance. The exact calculation used to determine the weekly stipend is as follows:
Minimum wage amount x 45 hours - 40% (room and board allowance) = au pair stipend amount
On May 24th, 2007, Congress approved the first increase in the federal minimum wage in nearly a decade. President Bush signed this bill on May 25th and this has a direct impact on the au pair weekly stipend 60 calendar days post-presidential approval.
As the changes to minimum wage impact the au pair stipend incrementally, what follows is an overview of these changes and how they have already impacted and will impact the stipend over time:
1. Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
Increased from $139.05 to $157.95/week
2. Thursday, July 24th, 2008
Increased from $157.95 to $176.85/week
3. Friday, July 24th, 2009
Increase from $176.85 to $195.75/week
All Cultural Care Au Pair literature and agreements stipulate that host families comply with all regulations, therefore, adherence to these changes is required of all program participants.
Au Pair stipend and guidelines:

- the stipend i s a living stipend; the calculation used to determine the au pair stipend amount is a combination of the federal minimum wage as well as room and board allowance. As this is a living stipend , it must be paid on a weekly basis and cannot be withheld for any reason, including:
- when your AP is sick and cannot work
- when your AP owes you money for a phone bill, car accident, or anything else
- the only time when au pair does not receive her stipend is when she is in her two week transition period and not working

If you have further questions, please contact us!
under: Information for Au Pairs, Information for host families, News, Program Info