Naval Academy Ball: Save the date!! Get shopping for your dresses ! This year’s international ball has been announced. Get your tickets now. And don’t forget to take a group photo for me!
44th Annual International Ball
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00PM
To purchase tickets, visit tickets.com
hi Au Pairs! Here is information on our March and April Meetings! I hope you can make it! I will bring the pottery to the bowling lanes. If you need your pottery before the meeting, let me know and I will arrange to get it to you.
For our March meeting we will go bowling at White Oak Duckpin Lanes
Let me know if you plan to attend so I can reserve enough lanes!!
Also please plan to bowl if you do attend.
http://www.whiteoaklanes.com/
Friday March 19 at 6:45 pm - 8 pm
Please arrive on time so we can keep our reservation!
It costs $3.50 to rent shoes and $4 to bowl (please plan to pay me directly)
There are refreshments available to purchase.
Directions to:
11207 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
in the White Oak Shopping Center on the corner of Lockwood Drive and New Hampshire Ave.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=11207+New+Hampshire+Avenue&city=Silver+Spring&state=md&zipcode=20904&country=US
For Our April Meeting:
Smithsonian museum of American History
10:00 AM Saturday April 17
http://americanhistory.si.edu/
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C.
Take metro to the Smithsonian Station or Federal Triangle Station
Meet at the main entrance on the steps at 10 a.m.
Our Spring Savings Promotion has launched! Families who apply to Cultural Care Au Pair by March 31, 2010 are entitled to a $350 program fee discount. The weekly cost becomes just $330/week or $7.30/hr (per family, not per child). Contact me for the promotion code!
28 Feb, 2010
Posted by: eboa In: Program Info
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.
Hello au pairs,
We will meet February 14 at noon at Color Me Mine in Silver Spring. The trip to White Tail is still on for Feb. 20.
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.
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.
Sample & Save - try our 3 “Ways to Match” risk free
Now for a limited time only, host families who apply to Cultural Care Au Pair will have the opportunity to try our 3 Ways to Match FREE. New families who submit an application from January 14th to January 19th, 2010 and take an au pair into their home by October 22, 2010 will have the $75 application fee waived, in addition to our $275 au pair selection fee waived. In addition, families applying will also receive a $500 discount off the program fee - a total savings of $850!
There’s never been a better time to begin your search for an au pair. For more information about our 3 Ways to Match or our limited-time-only $850 discount, contact your local childcare coordinator.
In February we will have TWO meetings, but you only need to attend ONE of them. OPTION 1 The first option is to go Snow Tubing at White Tail Resort. Let me know if you are planning to attend so I can look for you! Please fill in the attached release form and bring it with you to the meeting. http://www.skiwhitetail.com/index.htm Date: Saturday, February 20
Time: meet at 10 AM at the ticketing area Please be prompt. $24 for two hours of tubing from washington
Take I-270 N to I-70 W. Take the Clear Spring, MD Exit 18, then bear right. Go straight through the traffic light in Clear Spring. At the island, turn right onto Broadfording Road. Follow Broadfording Road 1/2 mile, turn left onto Blairs Valley Road. Continue 5 miles on Blairs Valley Road to Whitetail. Travel time about 1.5 hours Try to Car Pool!
OPTION 2
The other meeting option is Color Me Mine, to decorate pottery. I will bring snacks. Let me know if you are planning to attend this meeting! Please plan on participating in the activity of pottery decorating. Sunday February 7 at 12 noon. The pottery costs between $12.50 and $15 per piece. http://www.silverspring.colormemine.com/ Color Me Mine - I suggest you park in the Wayne Avenue Garage Downtown Silver Spring
823 Ellsworth Drive
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
301-565-5105
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!
Sojourner Douglass College, Division of Professional and Continuing Studies
Au Pair Weekend Program 2010 Schedule
Thank you for your support of our growing program. The 2010 schedule is available and posted on the website. The spring semester is currently available for enrollment.
A much requested weekend course has been added. There is limited space for this session.
Understanding American Culture and Government will take place January 9-10, 2010.
A few changes for 2010:
1. Weekend sessions are Saturday and Sunday. We no longer offer classes on Fridays excluding the TOEFL Review. The TOEFL Review is the only weekend course that has Friday classes. The change occurred due to the local traffic patterns and the work schedules of the au pairs. Check in begins at 7:30am Saturday and the first class begins at 9:30am. The last class on Sunday ends at 5:00pm.
2. We now offer a 2 weekend certificate program. Au pairs can study a subject more in depth with this program. The outside work for the certificate program will include 2 papers and volunteer work. Please see attachment for detailed guidelines of the program.
3. All homework is due prior to the weekend course. Au pairs who register 2 weeks prior to the weekend session can request a 2 week extension for homework. No homework will be accepted at the weekend session. Please see attached updated homework guides. Please stress to the au pairs the importance of following the guidelines and completing the homework assignments on time.
The weekend sessions include coursework in American Culture, History, Government, Family Life and Personal Growth while providing an opportunity to develop new friendships. To successfully complete the weekend course, each student will be required to complete a paper and a 3 week journal. The weekend course work, along with the paper and the 3 week journal is worth 4 CEUs or 40 hours. This course is pass/ fail. If the homework is not complete and on time the au pair will not receive credit for the course.
The 2 week certificate program along with the outside volunteer hours and two 5 page papers is worth 6 credits or 72 hours.
The registration fee includes coursework, lodging, social activities and meals. The au pair is responsible for transportation to and from the course.
Registration is ongoing and can be completed online by visiting www.aupairweekend.org
Early registration is encouraged for first selection of course options and reduced fees.
Each weekend session is different; sessions may include but are not limited to:
Nutrition, American History, American Presidents, Psychology, American Culture, History of American Music, Language, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality and Tourism, Stress Management, American Government, Games that teach, Caring for Special Needs Children, American Monetary System, Effective Written Communication, Meal Planning for Children, American Holidays, Art Expression, Resume Writing and Life Skills.
2010 schedule of weekend classes. This schedule could change due to enrollment.
January 8-10, 2010 TOEFL Review (Registration closed due to max capacity)
January 9-10, 2010 Understanding American Culture and Government (limited Space)
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
Two weekend Certificate Program
· Hospitality and Tourism- Au pairs interested in this fast growing profession will learn about the core areas: travel, food and beverage, and lodging; North American Geography; Front office operations and Event planning.
· Activities Consultant/Coordinator- Au pairs can gain insight to this fascinating career. Whether the au pair is interested in coordinating activities in tourism, child care or geriatrics they will learn therapeutic activity planning and coordination.
· Patient Care- Healthcare is an interesting and rewarding career. Classes in this focus area will help the au pair understand medical terminology, psychology in healthcare setting and human development.
· Child Care- Au pairs will increase their understanding of child development, emergency preparedness and be able to create healthy meal plans and lead stimulating activities.
The registration form for this program will include both dates.
To register, visit the website and click on the “schedule of events” tab.
www.aupairweekend.org
Please note the location of Au Pair Weekend Courses:
The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute
692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum, MD 21090-1952
(410)-859-5700 Front Desk ext 0
For questions call Angela Garnett, Program Coordinator at 301-213-2404 or email: aupairweekend@gmail.com