April 21, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Cultural Care Au Pair is excited to invite families and au pairs to participate in our first-ever Cultural Care Au Pair Video Contest! Do you have something interesting, funny or inspiring to say about the au pair program? If so, we want to see it on film-and we’ll give you the chance to win an entire year of free childcare (for host families) and $1000 (for au pairs) for sharing it with us and the rest of the world!
Step 1: Get Creative!
Encourage everyone - kids, parents, au pair - to participate in sharing your experiences through video.
Step 2: Upload your video!
Go to our video contest page and submit your family’s video through our easy registration process. http://contest.culturalcare.com/
Step 3: Spread the Word!
Share the link to your video with your friends and family- they’re our judges! The host family and au pair with the most votes for favorite video will win the Grand Prize - a year of free childcare and $1000!
Check out the contest requirements and other exciting prizes at http://contest.culturalcare.com/rules and get out your video cameras! Good luck! We look forward to seeing your family’s video!
Lights! Camera! Action!
March 29, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
 Cultural Care Au Pair cares about children world wide |
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| As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.
Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.
During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.
In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.
“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”
For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact your Local Childcare Coordinator. |
March 29, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Encourage children to practice bike safety
Our second March au pair meeting included chips and salsa an educational look at bike safety. au pairs were reminded of the dangers to children who are not wearing bike helmets and provided valuable bike safety information.
The National Bike Safety Network devotes an entire website to bike safety providing the latest information on current programs, research, legislation, and other resources in bike safety. Remember May is Bicycle Safety Month! http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike/default.htm
helmets save lives!
March 17, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Over 200 Au Pairs in the Atlanta Area will participate in the first ever Atlanta City-Wide Scavenger Hunt, benefiting ‘Kid’s First’, a program that donates time and dollars to at-risk- youth in Africa, Brazil, and Russia. The Au Pair’s registration fee of $5 will be matched by the au pair agency, all funds going directly to Kid’s First. The Event is open to all Au Pairs! Cultural Care Local Coordinators will be on hand to answer questions about their program, along with collecting donations from guests who would like to contribute. 
January 24, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
The results from the 2009 Host Family Survey are in … and the consensus is that our host families are overwhelmingly happy! To share a few of the stats:
- 96% of host families are satisfied with the quality of childcare that their au pair provides
- 95% are satisfied with the support provided by their Local Childcare Coordinator
- 97% are pleased with the choice they made to use the services of Cultural Care Au Pair
- 96% would recommend the services of Cultural Care Au Pair to other families
Thank you to our current host families for participating and for helping us to further improve our program! Host family feedback gathered through our customer satisfaction survey has contributed to several changes at Cultural Care Au Pair including an improved host family and au pair matching process, increased new and repeat host family discounts, new payment plan options, and better online and phone support for host families. In addition, host families are able to provide direct feedback to senior management at face to face meetings held throughout the country, and they may participate in an online forum (www.community.culturalcare.com) created just for program participants.
We’re thrilled with these results, which are certified by independent survey company Discovery Surveys, Inc. In fact, our participation rate (52% of active host families this time around) and the results themselves have improved each of the four times we have administered the surveys (spring and fall of 2008 and spring and fall of 2009). For more detailed survey information, visit our website.
January 11, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Getting an au pair is more affordable than ever
Our host families spoke, and we listened. The economy had an impact on everyone last year. Many families faced new financial challenges, but in the end, they still needed flexible, affordable childcare. As a result, Cultural Care Au Pair has created several new payment options that help lower the initial cost for welcoming an au pair into their home in the New Year. Along with this exciting new change, we are also keeping our prices the same for the second year in a row!
Now new families applying to Cultural Care Au Pair will have even more payment options available. Not only have we reduced our application fee, we have created several new payment plans for new and repeat families. As a result, they can continue to enjoy all the benefits they have enjoyed from Cultural Care Au Pair in the past - and even more!
Lower application fee, lowered payment plan options
How does it work? Now new families applying to the program will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee -a savings over our previous $350 application fee. Upon finding the right au pair, a $275 selection fee will be due so the au pair can finalize arrangements to come to the U.S. Offering this new payment structure not only helps secure the au pair for the family, it allows the visa process to begin moving forward.
In addition, families now have even more flexibility when it comes to making payments. On our regular payment plan, families now have the ability to pay the program fee 30 days prior to the au pair’s arrival, instead of upon selection of an au pair. This is great for families who select an au pair early, as it provides them with additional time to pay their program fee.
In addition, our Extended Payment Plan option now lowers the initial deposit to $2,395, plus a $200 payment plan enrollment fee. Families have the option of making a payment in three easy installments or they can log into their host family account at their convenience and pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly - whatever works best for the family, as long as it’s within the Extended Payment Plan timeframe. Repeat and extension families enjoy all these flexible payment benefits as well, with the additional benefit of a waived application fee!
Along with keeping prices the same in 2010, and creating several new, lower payment plan options, we are also decreasing the cost for enrolling in our Extended Payment Plan, making it even easier to afford an au pair in the New Year. For more information about how to utilize these new options, contact me, your local childcare coordinator, and I will be happy to provide you with additional details about Cultural Care Au Pair’s exciting new payment options for 2010!
January 3, 2010 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Every year thousands of young people from all over the world embark on a special journey by becoming an au pair. Now it’s time to recognize the extraordinary and ordinary daily accomplishments that each au pair makes in his or her host family by nominating your au pair for the International Au Pair Association’s seventh annual Au Pair of the Year Award.
The International Au Pair Association established the Au Pair of the Year Award to recognize the many great young men and women participating in the au pair program worldwide. In addition, the award helps highlight public awareness of this valuable cultural exchange program.
For the last two years, au pairs with Cultural Care have been honored with the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award. In 2009, the honor was awarded to Francisco Ricardo Silva de Araújo, of Brazil, an au pair to the Boyer family of Virginia. In 2008, Linda Falter, an au pair from Germany, received the award while she was an au pair for the Sato family of Hayward, California.
What makes your au pair outstanding?
Maybe it’s the day-to-day things he or she does, such as kicking around a soccer ball, helping the kids with homework or entertaining them while you cook dinner. Maybe it’s the way he or she has embraced your family, such as teaching your kids her language, baking treats from her home country or coming to watch your children in the winter program at school. Every thing your au pair does that helps your family or brings a rich cultural exchange into your family is worthy of recognition, and a great way of saying thank you to your au pair!
Host families who would like to nominate their au pair should submit an essay detailing what makes their au pair exceptional in the form provided. Nominations for the Au Pair of the Year Award must be received by Friday, January 15. Once you’ve submitted your nomination, don’t forget to share it with your au pair to show her or him how much you think of what she or he does for your family!
Simply nominating an au pair for the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award is a wonderful honor that can show your au pair how much you value what she or he does for your family. This award allows so many in the au pair community to reflect on what an incredibly positive program this is and the many lives it touches and enriches along the way.
For more information about the Au Pair of the Year Award or nominating your au pair please click here.
February 12, 2009 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Choosing an au pair can be overwhelming. To further help the interview process, remember the following:
Click Here to Start Your Matching Process Today!
Think about what you want to know and what your major concerns are. Put some time into mixing, matching, add/delete the questions below to create your tailored list of concerns. Keep pen and paper/notebook handy. Color code questions with highlighters if you like. Be absolutely clear about what you’re looking for and what you will settle for. At the same time, take care not to frighten a good au pair with interrogation styled questioning.
Break the questions/interview process into sections. Keep it conversational. Perhaps some questions can go in an email, phone text message or IM (instant messaging) system. Be mindful of international phone charges and schedule future phone calls accordingly.
Realize that cultural differences and language barriers are factors to be considered throughout the interviewing process. Be sure to call when you can focus your undivided attention on communicating with your potential new au pair. Remember that all au pairs are between 18 and 26 years old. Visualize a young adult from your family or community the same age having to do such an interview for a visit abroad.
The Cultural Care Extranet has lots of helpful info for host families under the Counseling Advice & Outreach section. Please read the article specifically on host family interviewing techniques.
Communication and Connections are Key! Ask questions, try to culturally relate and connect. This is not something to be forced, rushed or faked. Use your mother wit, parenting instinct, and gut feelings to gain insight to personality, capabilities and attitudes of your potential new family member. Finally,
Rely on your LCC as a sounding board and coach throughout the entire matching process. Putting extra effort into the matching process helps set the ground work for a wonderful cultural exchange and childcare experience. Click here for the list of questions
January 15, 2008 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Consignment shops and thrift stores can be a wonderful shopping alternative to expensive departments stores. Check out these 3 well known spots where you can buy, sell & trade fashion.
Psycho Sisters Consignment is a funky and fun place to shop. Visit their website at www.psychosistersships.com, or stop by either of their Atlanta locations:
- 428 Moreland Avenue (Little 5 Points) (404) 523-0100
- 5964 Roswell Road (Sandy Springs) (404) 255-5578
Finders Keepers is located at 84 North Avondale Road, in the historic Avondale Estates district (30002); When you visit their website: www.finderskeepersconsignment.biz, be sure to click on the fashion location and not the furniture spot.
The Junkman’s Daughter is also located in the Little 5 Points area (464 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30307). While they don’t have a website, you can get the 411 by visiting www.myspace.com/Junkmansdaughteratlanta. I’ve never been there, but I hear there’s a Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother. Anybody been there?
Know of another cool fashion spot? Let us know so others can share the fashion.
August 22, 2007 - Posted by kbeane - 0 Comments
Meet new people while improving your English skills. Close and convenient, this option has worked for many Cultural Care au pairs. Ask around about car pooling!
Smyrna Baptist Church offers free ESL classes. Located at 1275 Church Street, Smyrna, Georgia, 30080, registration for Fall 2007 classes will be held Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to Noon. Park in the lower parking deck near the playground, and enter through the double doors.
For additional information please contact Bernice Andrews on (770) 436-7602 or Teresa Camp on (770) 435-3231. For other community-based activities visit their website at www.Smyrnafirst.org. Click on News and Events.
