How Important is Cultural Exchange to You in Your Child Care?

If you Google, "cultural exchange", there are an amazing number of current news articles that come up.  Cultural exchange is important to parents in the United States and the news reflects that interest.  In fact, there is an entire bureau in the State Department titled the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

A prevalent reason many families choose an au pair for childcare is the cultural exchange.  Even if families first begin to think about an au pair because of the flexibility and affordability, they are often won over to the program because of the cultural influx into their household.  I have started many host family interviews with the question, "How important is cultural exchange to your family".  Often, the parents will look at one another, shrug their shoulders, and say, "Well, it is important".  I can tell they have not given it much thought.  As we progress in our discussion, I tend to give little examples of how an au pair has shared her culture with a current host family.

For example, I have a Serbian au pair that cooked Serbian food for her host family for a week to celebrate a holiday from her home country that we do not celebrate in the United States.  I have another au pair that makes little toys for her host children out of paper, similar to the toys she played with as a child.  There are many examples of au pairs sharing their culture.

As we continue with the host family interview, the host family realizes how excited they are to have another culture in their house.

Here are some ideas that you or your au pair can do with your children to increase the cultural exchange of having an au pair.

• Toys:  Choose toys and offer activities that reflect a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Language:  Talk about language.  Some languages have more than one word for what English speakers think of as a single entity.  Ask your au pair if there are any examples in her language.
• Body language:  For English speakers, nodding the head signifies "yes".  In some cultures, nodding means "no".  Ask your au pair what body language in her country is different from body language in the U.S.
• Folklore:  Each family has its own folklore, a set of beliefs, myths, tales, and practices.  Ask your au pair about their special holiday games or food from their childhood; whether they know any dances, songs or language from "the old days" and if they know of any special "family rules."  (For instance, one family sets the rule that you can only eat one piece of popcorn at a time out of the bowl.)
• Books:  Read books that feature other cultures.  For a great book lists organized by age groups, visit Kids Activities.
• Watch Foreign Films:  the Oscar Nominations for Foreign Language Films are out and although not appropriate for children, it is interesting as a host parent to see what foreign countries are nominated.  For foreign films that are appropriate for children, PBS has some suggestions.
• Music:  Ask your au pair about the music she or he listened to as a child.  See if you can download any of them for your children.  If not, the Putumayo Kids record label produces upbeat, culturally authentic music including folk, Celtic, reggae, Latin and African music.

Multiples and an au pair: Host Mo Lani's Account

Host Mom, Lani, is a busy first time Host Mom with almost 3 year old adorable triplets, 2 boys and a girl.  At the playground with the triplets running, climbing, eating, laughing and going in all different directions, I spoke with the Host Mom about her experience having an au pair.

Here is some of Lani's personal Au Pair Care story shared below:

Lani says, If you are a parent of multiples, you probably have a little more difficulty in finding suitable childcare than most. And if you are a parent of triplets or more.. well, it’s even harder. I stayed home with my triplets for their first 2 years, and loved every (ok, not every) minute of it. After the kids were born, I couldn’t have imagined having the kids in daycare, and even if it was an affordable option for us (which it is not), I envisioned spending countless days in the pediatrician’s office while I missed work. A nanny would cost $15 to $20 an hour, which would also make it not worth the expense. And another prohibitive factor: my husband and I both work irregular hours/schedules that would make it hard to find a childcare provider who could accommodate us.

After two years of staying at home, our bills were piling up, and I was starting to itch to return to work. The opportunity arose, and I knew I had to find affordable childcare that would allow me to take it.

Lani and her husband contacted Au Pair Care and matched with a 26 year old au pair, from Thailand, Ploy. 

Lani says, It is like we have a new member of our family, and I am very happy with our choice. I was very nervous (as I’m sure she was as well) about having someone we didn’t know just come and live in our home with us, but as time goes on, it is getting more and more comfortable. She is great with our kids; calm, patient, and kind. In our home we have a very chaotic vibe; always rushing and anxious, and her calm presence sort of balances us out. My husband and I can now go out once a week- something we haven’t been able to do since before our kids were born. I am able to go to the gym a few times a week, and even keep up my blog! I also love that I do not have to get up early to get my kids ready to go to daycare, and rush to pick them up at a certain time. I try to schedule our au pair to work a little longer than my workday, so in case I run late, there’s no need to rush.

Lani says, There are just so many great aspects to this form of childcare, it truly is the perfect fit for my family.

Au Pair Care offers a program discount for Host Families of multiples.  Ask your local Area Director how you can have a rewarding childcare experience just like this Host Mom of triplets.

Au Pair Care Announces New Safety Care Training Program for the Leading Au Pair Agency in Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, & Williamsburg

Summary: Au Pair Care’s new Safety Care™ training program provides all international au pairs with child CPR and First Aid certification training by the American Heart Association.

San Francisco, Calif. – Jan 10, 2012 – Au Pair Care, the leading au pair agency that provides affordable live-in child care services, today announced the launch of its new Safety Care™ training program, an enhancement that provides all au pairs with CPR and First Aid certification training by the American Heart Association and focuses on a rigorous curriculum dedicated to providing au pairs with practical safety skills. The Safety Care program takes place at the Au Pair Academy, a four-day mandatory orientation and training that all Au Pair Care au pairs undergo upon arrival in the United States. The program provides au pairs with enhanced safety training in the categories of driving safety and household safety, in addition to ongoing child care safety training.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20 million U.S. children and adolescents suffer preventable injuries annually. A recent survey conducted by Au Pair Care also found that child safety is the number one concern for its American host families.

“The Safety Care program was created as a direct result of feedback from Au Pair Care’s host families, regarding what is most important to them,” said Heidi Woehl, vice president of Au Pair Care. “Child safety has always been a priority for Au Pair Care, and our new safety training enhancements and ongoing training initiatives will further educate and train our au pairs to be better and safer child care providers.”

As a member of the National Safety Council, Au Pair Care’s Safety Care curriculum incorporates best practices from the council regarding child and household safety. It familiarizes au pairs with American safety rules and regulations, as well as the cultural expectations of American host families. Through a variety of expert instruction, online training and interactive role-play, Au Pair Care au pairs will learn first-hand how to handle common safety issues and practice injury prevention techniques.

Key features of Au Pair Care’s Safety Care training program include:

• Child Safety: CPR and First Aid certification training by the American Heart Association for all au pairs, making Au Pair Care one of the only au pair agencies to offer this training. Au pairs will also receive ongoing training throughout the year with monthly safety tips as well as practical child care safety advice.

• Driving Safety: An online interactive driving course utilizing best practices from the Department of Motor Vehicles and the National Safety Council on how to follow U.S. driving laws and keep children safe while behind the wheel. Au pairs are also expected to hold a current international driver’s license.

• Household Safety: Educating au pairs on basic household safety practices and emergency preparedness, including choking hazards, water safety, and what to do in case of a fire. The training offers au pairs the chance to participate in interactive scenarios to prepare for real life situations.

“As parents, our children’s safety is our number one concern,” said Jenni Frank, an Au Pair Care host mom. “Knowing that my au pair has gone through extra safety training and CPR certification with Au Pair Care helps reassure me that my kids will be safe.”

Au Pair Care matches American families with au pairs and offers two main program options to fit each family’s specific needs. The Standard One-Year Program provides dedicated child care and cultural exchange for one year. Au pairs provide up to 45 hours of child care per week chosen by the host family, not to exceed 10 hours per day. For families who are expecting or have a child under 12 months old, Au Pair Care offers the Infant Specialized Program, a longer training program focusing on infant sign language, baby massage techniques, games to stimulate infant mental development, and American parenting techniques. In addition, host families and au pairs who want to extend the au pair’s stay use the Extension Program, which provides up to two years of continuing child care. Families can extend with their au pair for an additional six, nine or 12 months.

About Au Pair Care
Au Pair Care is a leading au pair agency providing affordable live-in child care services to American families since 1989. Designated by the U.S. Department of State, Au Pair Care offers superior childcare to fit families’ unique needs. Au Pair Care has matched more than 40,000 au pairs with American families across the U.S. Au Pair Care is a division of Intrax, a family of organizations that provide a lifetime of high quality educational, work and volunteer programs that connect people and cultures. Intrax is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in 17 countries. To find an au pair to fit your family’s needs call 1(800) 428-7247 or visit www.aupaircare.com.

Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, nanny, childcare, babysitter, sitter, live-in, au pair, provider, AuPairCare, nannies, children, child, kids, multiples, twins, triplets

Au Pair Care Review: Truths and Myths

Since 1989, Au Pair Care has provided affordable, qualified childcare to over 40,000 families across the United States.  As a company founded by working parents, Au Pair Care was created on the belief that it is possible to find affordable childcare without sacrificing quality.  We espouse this tenet in all that we do, and are disappointed to see online reviews alleging otherwise.  Au Pair Care does not hire au pairs irresponsibly while hiding costs within the fine print, as alleged.  Instead, we have established a premier au pair program, committed to providing safe, high quality childcare.  We are proud of our au pairs' qualifications and childcare experience, our au pair matching service, and the affordability of our childcare program.  We believe wholeheartedly in the value and quality of our service, and therefore see it fit to address allegations leveled against Au Pair Care.  On behalf of our current and future au pairs and host families, we are happy to dispel the myths presented in recent reviews.

 

Myth 1:  Au Pair Care is a high-cost au pair program

Truth:  Au Pair Care offers an affordable, live-in childcare solution for families who need an extra pair of hands.  The average weekly cost for day care centers and nannies easily exceeds $400, according to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies as well as the International Nanny Association.  The Au Par Care program costs about $343 per week and is an economical option in comparison to a nanny or day care.  Furthermore, many nanny and day care services charge per child.  Au Pair Care offers one flat rate per family.

 

Myth 2:  Au Pair Care charges hidden costs and hidden fees

Truth:  Au Pair Care program fees are transparent and flexible. The au pair program costs page on our website displays our fees, transparently detailing the total annual and average weekly costs.  It also covers the additional costs not included in the weekly average, such as automobile insurance for driving au pairs, room and board, and the au pair's annual education allowance as mandated by the U.S. Department of State.  Au Pair Care even offers a Family Friendly Payment Plan to help make program costs financially manageable.

 

Myth 3:  Au Pair Care neglects host families and offers poor customer service

Truth:  Au Pair Care provides host families with responsible staff and responsive local area directors.  No need to take our word for it--with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Au Pair Care is the leading customer service provider amongst au pair agencies.

Au Pair Care has a staff of nearly 190 local Area Directors who support host families and au pairs nationwide, from first interview through final au pair departure.  Our Area Directors are rigorously screened and trained to ensure that they are equipped to deal with any issues that may arise during the program year.  Area Directors receive training in Department of State regulations and mediation techniques through online modules, regional staff meetings and one-on-one trainings.

Always within a one hour drive from their host families' homes, Area Directors maintain regular communication with host families and their au pairs for the duration of the program and are available to answer questions and provide advice. They also organize au pair activities and host an annual event for host families in their community.  Additionally, Au Pair Care offers 24/7 emergency assistance.

 

Myth 4:  The poor Au Pair Care selection process accepts all au pairs

Truth:  Au Pair Care carefully screens au pairs to provide families with high quality, reliable childcare.  The thorough au pair application process ensures only those truly devoted to children are considered seriously.  Furthermore, all au pairs must pass a criminal background check, provide two childcare references, speak conversational English, and meet Au Pair Care's stringent requirements during an in-person interview.

 

Myth 5:  Au Pair Care prioritizes its own interests above those of its host families.

Truth:  Founded by working parents to help other working parents find affordable childcare, Au Pair Care's ultimate goal has always been to provide high quality childcare and responsive customer service.  Many of us who work at Au Pair Care are also Au Pair Care host parents, and some of us are on our third and fourth au pairs. We are Au Pair Care customers because we truly believe in the value of the au pair program, and this is why we are committed to providing excellent service for our host families and are consistently making improvements to our program based on customer feedback.

Additionally, we recognize that every family faces different circumstances, which is why we offer a variety of discounts to families with unique needs, such as families with multiples, as well as a convenient monthly payment plan to give families more flexibility in managing childcare expenses.

In summary, Au Pair Care transparently supports your family with high quality childcare at affordable prices.  We have shared what we know to be true, but encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.

Visit www.aupaircare.com to understand the benefits and costs associated with having an au pair, and please, contact us should you have any questions.

 

Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, nanny, childcare, babysitter, sitter, live-in, au pair, provider, AuPairCare, nannies, children, child, kids, multiples, twins, triplets