Michele & David Chazen

Putting Kids First: helping at-risk children worldwide

Posted by: mchazen on March 8, 2010

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.

The results are in! Cultural Care Au Pair families are overwhelmingly happy!

Posted by: mchazen on January 30, 2010

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

Finding the perfect au pair for your childcare made easy

Posted by: mchazen on January 24, 2010

Cultural Care Au Pair offers 3 Ways to Match
Cultural Care Au Pair host families now have the ability to review even more applications and au pair profiles with our new 3 Ways to Match, a program feature that let’s host families select the style of matching that best suits their needs. Host families can now search through multiple candidates on their own timeframe, set an appointment for a consultative matching session or work one-on-one with a placement manager who carefully selects possible matches. Best of all, our 3 Ways to Match allows you to enjoy the benefits of all three matching styles to help you find the right au pair for your family.      

To get started
Whether you’re a new family to Cultural Care Au Pair or have already hosted an au pair, our 3 Ways to Match makes it easy for you to begin reviewing au pair candidates right away. Simply fill out your new or repeat application. Once it’s processed, you can log into your account and begin matching. Here’s how it works:

Personalized, exclusive matching
Enjoy the benefits of our trademark one-on-one matching. Your placement manager will select carefully screened applications for you to review based on your family’s unique needs. Each au pair is exclusively reserved for your family’s review, which means no two families are contacting the same reserved au pair candidate at the same time.

Consultative matching
Review our pool of au pair candidates in real time by setting up a consultative matching appointment by phone with your placement manager. This highly effective method allows you to carve out time with your placement manager to review available candidates who are not being reviewed by other families. At the end of the appointment, you have the opportunity to have up to three candidates maximum reserved for your family exclusively.

Search & Select
An enhancement to our current profile review system, this new feature offers families the ability to build a list of au pair profiles available for review. Families can narrow the search field and request, for example, a driver, a second year au pair or someone available now. If you find a candidate of interest to you, you may add the au pair to your list and notify your placement manager of your interest by clicking the Notify Placement Manager button. Your placement manager will review your suggested matches and place up to three of those matches into your host family account for further review of their full application.

 For more information about our 3 Ways to Match  contact your local childcare coordinator.

Haiti Disaster Relief

Posted by: mchazen on January 22, 2010

The news we hear daily about Haiti is devastating.  So many are suffering.  How can we help?   Please read Cultural Care Au Pair  Blog “The Buzz”

to see how Cultural Cares parent company EF Education First will match your donation to help this country in need.

Au Pair Weekend Classes

Posted by: mchazen on January 10, 2010

Au Pairs as part of the program are required to take classes.  (6 credits and or equivalent at an accredited institution)    

One way of fulfilling this requirement is taking a weekend class. One weekend would be equivalent to 3 credits.

Listed below are 3 different options that offer weekend classes

These classes fill up fast so register early to get your desired dates.

Remember to review the dates with your host families before registering to make sure that the dates are ok with them as well.

 Silver Bay

Located in Albany NY  

The schedule for Silver Bay is as follows:

March 12

March 12-14, 2010                                                   

April 9 - 11, 2010

April 30 - May 2, 2010

June 25- 27, 2010

July 16-18, 2010

August 20 - 22, 2010

September 10-12, 2010

October, 22-24, 2010

November 19-21 2010

 For more information, description of the classes offered and registration information please visit the website at:  http://www.silverbayaupaircourse.com/

______________________________________________________________________

C.W. Post

Located in Long Island, NY

Website:  http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/aupair/

The Schedule is as follows:

January 29-31, 2010

History of American Women - American History

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course

Growing up in America

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

 February 19-21, 2010

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance

History of American Music

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

 March 5-7, 2010

History of American Music

Growing up in America

American Government, Politics, and Social Issues

 March 19-21, 2010

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

 March 26-28, 2010

History of American Music

Regional Identities - American Culture

 April 16-18, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course

History of American Music

Celebration of Holidays - American Culture

 Please click on the links for the aupaircoursedescriptions1 and  aupairwinter-springclassregistrationform.

 ___________________________________________________________________________

Sojourner Douglass College

Located in Maryland

Website: http://www.aupairweekend.org/

The Schedule and class offered is as follows:

March 6-7, 2010 American Culture and Personal Development
April 10-11, 2010 Caring for Special Needs Children
May 1-2, 2010 Child Development and American Government
May 1, 2010 Water Safety
June 5-6, 2010 Experiencing America
June 5, 2010 Infant and Child CPR and First Aid
July 10-11, 2010 to be announced
August 7-8, 2010 to be announced
September 11-12, 2010 to be announced
October 2-3, 2010 to be announced
October 2, 2010 Infant and Child CPR and First Aid
November 6-7, 2010 to be announced

For additional information and registration please visit their website.

Getting an au pair is more affordable than ever

Posted by: mchazen on January 8, 2010

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    

Recognize your au pair! Nominations due for 2010 IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award

Posted by: mchazen on December 27, 2009

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.

Two New Great Resources For Host Families

Posted by: mchazen on September 10, 2009

Join our on line Cultural Care Community

We are happy to announce an innovative on-line resource for host families, the Cultural Care Community. On our new site, families can ask a question, share an idea or “best practice” they use with their au pair, report a problem they are having or give praise. Cultural Care staff, LCCs and other host families can help answer your questions and join in the discussion. This new community is not meant to replace the customer service structure and systems that we already have in place, but rather to give host families a public forum to share with us and to connect with other families. Visit http://community.culturalcare.com, join the conversation and let us know what you think!               

Visit http://www.community.culturalcare.com

New Blog by Cultural Care President

The President of Cultural Care Au Pair, Dave Fougere, has recently started his own blog at www.culturalcarepresident.com

In his Blog Dave will write on many topics covering his personal life as a parent, Host Dad and his professional perspective heading the Cultural Care organization. Dave enjoys meeting and speaking with other host parents and responding to their questions and concerns. This blog will serve as an extension of those efforts. Join Dave in the conversation!

July Meeting Options

Posted by: mchazen on July 6, 2009

Cultural Care Au Pairs for the month of July will have 2 meeting options

Sunday, July 12 at 4:00 pm                                                                                                                                  at the home of LCC Martha Cowles           
21 Village Lane
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
This is our water safety meeting. It will last only about 1 hour if everyone is on time

Sunday July 26 at 2pm. Jersey Freeze for ice cream on Route 33 and Route 9  

You may attend both meetings if you would like

Introducing Au Pair Answer Mom

Posted by: mchazen on May 15, 2009

In addition to our office staff and your Local Childcare Coordinator (LCC), there is someone else who can help answer questions about hosting an au pair: the Au Pair Answer Mom

The Au Pair Answer Mom shares her own thoughts on some of the most common questions about hosting a Cultural Care au pair through short video clips. Check out some other topics on the page above labeled Au Pair Answer Mom to view additional videos.

I encourage you to view her answers to the following questions:

- What is an Au Pair?
- What can au pair do?
- What are the qualifications for becoming an au pair?
- How should I interview an au pair candidate?
- Can my au pair teach my children her native language?
- Is hosting an au pair right for me?

 If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please feel free to email the Au Pair Answer Mom with your own question at aupairanswermom@culturalcare.com.

The Au Pair Answer Mom is, in fact, Susan Robinson, who has worked for Cultural Care Au Pair for 13 years and been host mom to 9 au pairs herself. Susan’s professional and personal experience make her a great resource for families who need an expert opinion on any topic related to our program.

Our hope is that our Au Pair Answer Mom videos will help you feel confident about choosing the right childcare solution for your family. Please be on the lookout for more from the Au Pair Answer Mom in the coming weeks!