Archive for the 'Au Pair Information' Category
Philadelphia “Amazing Race” (Regional Event)
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on March 19, 2010
CULTURAL CARE “PHILADELPHIA” AU PAIR AMAZING RACE
The Au Pair Amazing Race Philadelphia 2010 will be held:
Saturday, May 22, 2010
1:00 P.M. to 4:00 p.m.
Au pairs will gather with their teams to begin the race at the foot of the famous steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
For Lehigh Valley Au Pairs — you will need to take public transportation to the Philadelphia area or carpool (only if your family allows that you drive into downtown Philadelphia). The two most likely ways for you to get to the Starting Point of the Race is:
1) Take the Bieber Bus from our area to the 30th Street Train Station and find your way either by cab or walking to the front steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum or
2) Travel to Lansdale or Colmar Train Stations (both about 50 minutes to 1 hour south of our area) and take the train to 30th Street Station, etc.
Please note that this is NOT a mandatory meeting — but this is being announced to Lehigh Valley Au Pairs should the Au Pair wish to participate in the Amazing Race. IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE — PLEASE TELL ME IMMEDIATELY so — if we do have a good group attending — we can make more formal arrangements. It is very possible that I — as your LCC — will not be at the Amazing Race — so you will need to tell me so I can be sure that all the details are completed.
Please note that this is not the “official” Monthly Au Pair Meeting of the Lehigh Valley Au Pairs — but — if you choose to attend The Philadelphia Amazing Race — your attendance at the event will “count” as your meeting attendance for May! As of now — we will still have an “official” May Au Pair Meeting.
The event will be held “rain or shine”.
Au pairs will need to pre-register and there will be a $5 registration fee, a portion of which will go to Kids First. Registration Forms, etc. have not been released as of now — but you will be informed when they are. Again - if you are considering attending this event — please tell me as soon as possible so I can be sure to have you have the link once released.
You must register individually and will be asked on the day of event to gather in teams of 6.
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New Host Mom Share Her Story — Why She Chose Cultural Care Au Pair!
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on March 18, 2010
Here is a reccent post on Big Tent from one of New Host Moms in California. She just welcomed her first au pair, a young woman from Norway, to care for 11.5 month old twins.
Kristen commented:
My au pair just arrived from Norway on Friday night. We have some friends who are very clued in to the au pair scene since they’ve been through several in the last 4 or 5 years. At her suggestion, she directed me to www.greataupair.com. She said I can find an au pair through this website, sort of like the craigslisting of au pairs.
However, after trying without any luck of searching for a suitable match, and then once finding someone who might actually work, my concerns about experience, safety, psychological and criminal backgrounds started haunting me at night. I really feel that, for our first experience of bringing an au pair into our home, going through the agency really helped me figure out numerous things about our needs that I didn’t realize before. In fact, it helped me decipher what my parenting style is, the skill set our future au pair should bring with her, which cultures and personalities would work well with our family, and much much more. Although the fee is quite steep, bringing an au pair into your home is a MAJOR commitment. (The first night she was here, I couldn’t sleep knowing she was sleeping closer to my babies than I was! What if she is a bad seed after all?? What if she harms them?) Fortunately, the agency does actually earn their fee; among other things, they interview the au pair candidate as well as the host family in person, get criminal and medical background, facilitate the visas, and handle the travel from her home country to your airport. Are you prepared to get a criminal history from a foreign country where you are unfamiliar with language and local laws? We weren’t. Our time is more valuable that the hours of frustration that would cause us, and then who even knows if it would be truthful.
We too wanted to reduce our fees, but after some deep thought about the process, we felt that for the first year at least it is worthwhile to go through an agency. Perhaps you can find a 2nd year au pair yourself and then have the agency finalize her for you. Honestly, I must have read 200 or more applications for girls that met my general requirements. Once we went with the agency, I asked them to send me 3 or 4 applications from potential candidates to help me determine what we did want and what we didn’t in our au pair. We were surprised by our list of wants and needs when it came right down to it; much more precise than we originally thought we’d need. The agency then matched us with someone they thought would work, and we disagreed. They then sent us the application of the girl who spent the afternoon caring for my 11.5 month old twins, and we couldn’t be happier. She met our requirements perfectly and we are thrilled! In fact, she just told me how thrilled she is to be with us.
I do not have any association with any of the agencies other than being a recently satisifed customer. We went through Cultural Care.
I completely understand the need to be frugal, but I don’t think child care and adding a member to your household is one of those areas where cutting back gets you ahead of the game. Quality care and bringing a positive influence into your home is worth every penny. Perhaps you can cut coupons instead, make purchases off the classifieds, and cut back in other ways. But good luck!!
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Male Au Pairs — A Popular Choice For Childcare!
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on March 10, 2010
“Mannies” or “Male Au Pairs” … Yes, Male Au Pairs make wonderful “mannies” or childcare providers for your children. At Cultural Care Au Pair, approximately 5% of our Au Pairs are Male Au Pairs and here in the Lehigh Valley, we have five Male Au Pairs in our Au Pair Group. Cultural Care Au Pair is one of only a few Au Pair Agencies that provide Male Au Pairs — a growing trend of childcare in the United States. See what Susan Robinson - a Host Mom and Vice President of Cultural Care Au Pair — says about Male Au Pairs …
We love our “Mannies”!
Parents who host Male Au Pairs are quick share that their Au Pairs offer their family everything that Female Au Pairs do and more. We are very proud of our male candidates!
We are extremely proud to say that a Cultural Care Male Au Pair was named “2009 Au Pair of the Year” by the International Au Pair Association. The winner is Francisco Ricardo Silva de Araújo Brazil.
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“Spring” Egg Decorating — March Au Pair Meeting
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on March 10, 2010
Lehigh Valley Au Pairs — Bring out your artistic talents at our March “Spring Egg Decorating” Au Pair Meeting!
Here are the Details:
Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: “Fellowship Hall” (Basement) of Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 535 West Emaus Avenue, Allentown, PA 18103
We will be “decorating Eggs for the Springtime”. 
Each Au Pair will have six eggs to decorate or color, etc. and we will have a contest and vote on the best or most popular decorated eggs. Three prizes will be awarded! We will have snacks and beverages. You will take your decorated eggs home to share with your family! You need not bring anything except a good attitude and fun! Think Creatively!
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Tax Guidelines - Au Pair Program
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on March 9, 2010
As a participant in the Au Pair program, Cultural Care strongly recommends that you consult with your tax advisor, accountant, insurance advisor and/or an attorney regarding any state or federal rules or regulations that you may be required to comply with when you host an Au Pair. Unfortunately, Cultural Care is not in a position to provide such advice to our host families due to the variations in the law from state to state and to the individual circumstances of each host family.
If your employer requires taxpayer identification numbers, you should use the following:
- Your Au Pair’s social security number or ITIN, in reference to payments made directly to your Au Pair
- Cultural Care Au Pair’s Federal Tax ID number in reference to program fees paid to Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair’s Federal Tax ID number is 20-2020345
As a general guideline, the following information might be helpful to your professional advisor or might be issues that need to be explored:
- Au Pairs are here on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. According to the IRS website, Au Pairs are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes as well as Federal Unemployment Tax.
- Au Pairs are required to pay income tax with the exception of Social Security. However, depending on the time of year that the Au Pair arrives or departs, they may not make the minimum level of income required for taxation in that calendar year.
- The weekly stipend and the fees paid to Cultural Care may qualify as a tax deductible childcare expense.
- The IRS does not require host families to file Schedule H (Form 1040).
- Host families and Au Pairs may want to inquire about obtaining a social security number for the Au Pair. In order to qualify for a social security number, the Au Pair must provide proof of her participation in the Au Pair program with a letter from Cultural Care. In addition, they will need their passport, I-94 card and DS-2019 form. Please contact me if you need assistance with this.
- We strongly recommend that you inquire with your professional advisor about specific state laws and requirements which may include, but not be limited to workers’ compensation insurance and state unemployment taxes.
Account statement
A statement/receipt of payments made to Cultural Care Au Pair is available in your online account’s Payment Center. Please contact your Program Director if you have any questions about payments made or credits owed.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many employers offer their employees the benefit of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), such as a Dependent Care Spending Account. You should determine if the program fees and/or au pair stipend qualify for your employer’s program.
Please note that this is intended to be a guide only and is in no way an exhaustive list of the issues you should explore nor is it intended to be legal or tax advice.
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February Meeting — Ski Camelback Mountain!
| 2 Comments |Posted by: hcook on February 19, 2010
The Annual Cultural Care Au Pair Ski/Snowboard Trip to Camelback Area Ski Mountain will be held this Sunday, February 21, 2010.
The Lehigh Valley Au Pair Group of Cultural Care Au Pair will meet at 8:00 a.m. at The SunBowl Lodge (not the Main Lodge) and Cultural Care Au Pairs from the Philadelphia will arrive by bus at about 9:00 a.m.
This is the 10th consecutive year for Cultural Care Au Pairs to enjoy the Ski / Snowboard Day and approximately 100 Au Pairs participate in this great event — from Au Pairs that have never skiied or snowboarded to the most experienced skiiers or snowboarders who have grown up on skis/snowboards!
Au Pairs from approximately 17 countries will participate in this event — and for many Au Pairs — this will be the first time that they have “really played in the Snow”!
Be Safe Au Pairs and Have Fun !!!
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Survey Results — Cultural Care Au Pair Gets Great Reviews!
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on January 22, 2010
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LCC Availability
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on January 12, 2010
Host Families and Au Pairs: I will be traveling to Boston — Wednesday thru Monday (January 13 thru January 18) for meetings and training. I will be available on my cell phone and via email on a limited basis. Please feel free to give me a call or email if you would need to speak with me.
Remember: January Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 24 .. See this website for further details.
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Hosting An Au Pair — Easier Than Ever!
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on January 12, 2010
Cultural Care is committed to providing families with flexible and affordable childcare as well as excellent customer service. We have decided not to raise our prices in 2010 so that our new and repeat families will take advantage of the same program fee we charged in 2008! Please continue reading for our current discounts with their promotion codes.
Cultural Care Au Pair offers many discounts for both new and repeat host families. If you have specific questions regarding any of our discounts, please email me at Belma.Bostanci@lcc.culturalcare.com or call me at 973-379-2628. Total savings (including the application fee waiver and program fee discount) cannot exceed $650 per program year, with the exception of “lock-in” savings and savings earned through the host family referral program. Please contact me at Helen.Cook@lcc.culturalcare.com for more information.
New Host Family - New Year Discount! Save $500!
Apply between January 4 and January 31, 2010 to enjoy a $275 selection fee waiver and a $225 program fee discount for a total savings of $500! Please call 610-797-5887 or 610-393-3919 for promotion code. Families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and welcome an Au-Pair into their home by October 22, 2010 to qualify for this offer.
Competitor Families - “Repeat with us” and save up to $1,000!
We welcome families from other au pair agencies to repeat with us. As a family experienced with the Au Pair Program, Host Families who switch to Cultural Care Au Pair are entitled to $1,000 in savings! These savings include a $75 application fee waiver, a $275 selection fee credit on their account, a standing $500 program fee discount and free overseas connections (a $150 value). Please call me for the Promotion Code. Families must submit proof of payment of their agency’s program fees (proof of payment of application fee does not qualify). The $500 program fee savings will be applied upon receipt of proof of payment.
$300 Pre-Arranged Match Discount
Families who find their own future Au Pair are entitled to a $300 program fee discount. The candidate must meet Cultural Care Au Pair’s screening requirements and must complete the Screening & Orientation Day in the appropriate recruitment country. Total savings cannot exceed $650. No promotion code necessary: savings will be applied upon approval of candidate. Please call me (610-797-5887) for further details.
Repeat Families: Save up to $1,000 in Repeat Family Rewards
Extension Families: Save up to $2000 in Repeat Family Rewards
Families who extend with their current Au Pair are entitled to a $75 application fee waiver, $275 selection fee waiver and up to $1,650 in program fee savings. Total savings = up to $2,000! Families who reapply to host another Cultural Care Au Pair are entitled to a $75 application fee waiver, a $275 selection fee credit on their account, a $250 repeat family discount, and complimentary overseas connection service ($150 value). Families who apply early enough can earn an additional $250 early matching bonus! Total savings = up to $1,000! For an early matching bonus deadline chart, visit the Host Family InfoSource. No promotion code necessary; discounts are applied automatically.
Host Family Referral Program
Current host families can earn a $150 program fee discount when they refer new host families to Cultural Care Au Pair. For referring families to qualify for the $150 program fee discount, Host Families must personally know families they refer, and referred families must have children under the age of 18 years. A program fee discount will be applied automatically to your account when the referred Host Family welcomes an Au Pair into their home. Please contact me regarding all the savings at Helen.Cook@lcc.culturalcare.com (610-797-5887)
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Au Pair “Weekend Classes” — C.W.Post
No Comment |Posted by: hcook on January 1, 2010
C.W. Post, Long Island, New York has published its Class Schedule for Weekend Classes in the Winter and Early Spring. Please visit the C.W. Post (Au Pair) Website for further details and registration:
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/aupair/
By attending a Weekend Class at CWPost and Completing the Assignments, an Au Pair will earn Three (3) College Class Credits which can be used toward the U.S. Dept. of State Educational Requirement of the Au Pair Program.
To register by telephone with a credit card please call Anne Schubeck or Victoria DiBenedetto at (516) 299-2359.
For more information, you can email CWPost at aupair@cwpost.liu.edu or fax your application form to CWPost at: 516-299-2363.
The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is pleased to provide educational programs that Au Pairs may attend to fulfill their credit requirements. These courses are open to Au Pairs and all interested students. This program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a few options on the C.W. Post Campus. During the winter semester overnight accommodations will be on campus. During the spring semester overnight accommodations will be offered at the East Norwich Inn.
Winter Semester
History of American Women-American History January 29-31, 2010
TOEFL/ English Preparation Course January 29-31, 2010
Growing up in America January 29-31, 2010
American Indian Cultures and Their
Impact on American Society January 29-31, 2010
Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance February 19-21. 2010
History of American Music February 19-21, 2010
American Indian Cultures and Their
Impact on American Society February 19-21, 2010
Spring Semester
History of American Music March 5-7, 2010
Growing up in America March 5-7, 2010
American Government, Politics, and Social Issues March 5-7, 2010
Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions March 19-21, 2010
TOEFL/ English Preparation Course March 19-21, 2010
American Indian Cultures and Their
Impact on American Society March 19-21, 2010
History of American Music March 26-28, 2010
Regional Identities - American Culture March 25-28, 2010
American Indian Cultures and
Their Impact on American Society April 16-18, 2010
TOEFL/ English Preparation Course April 16-18, 2010
History of American Music April 16-18, 2010
Celebration of Holidays - American Culture April 16-18, 2010
Please remember: You will need to discuss these class schedules with your Host Family before enrolling. You will need to take the bus to New York City and follow transportation directions to the school. Classes fill quickly .. so plan ahead!!
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