Helen Cook

Male Au Pairs — A Popular Choice For Childcare!

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.

Tax Guidelines - Au Pair Program

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.

“Kids First” — Cultural Care Au Pair Helping At Risk Children Worldwide

Posted by: hcook 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 its 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 Helen Cook, Local Coordinator.   Our Lehigh Valley Au Pair Group will be sponsoring a Kids First event and/or meeting shortly to raise funds for this very valuable cause.

Au Pair Savings! Lehigh Valley Au Pairs and Beyond!

Posted by: hcook on March 2, 2010

  Spring is almost here and now is a great time to secure your childcare by hosting a Cultural Care Au Pair.   Flexible and affordable childcare for busy families!   Childcare and Light Housekeeping — all for a  weekly cost of approximately $330 per week (or $7.30/hr.) (per family, not per child).

SAVINGS OFFERED MARCH 1 thru MARCH 31, 2010 IS $350 OFF OUR PROGRAM FEE .. for families that host an Au Pair by October 22, 2010.

Cultural Care Au Pair, America’s leading au pair agency, has hundreds of qualified candidates ready for immediate placement, so you can start matching today!

In addition to the largest pool of qualified au pairs, we offer:

• Three ways to match with potential candidates
• A “Peace of Mind Guarantee” - your family’s financial safeguard
• A Placement Manager to help you find just the right au pair for your family
• A Local Childcare Coordinator in your area to provide year-long support

In order to qualify for the discount, please call me at 610-797-5887 or via email (helen.cook@lcc.culturalcare.com) to discuss your specific needs and obtain your promotion code.   I am able to assist host families from the Lehigh Valley and all parts of the United States.

I have over 13 years experience helping busy families find the flexible and affordable childcare they need and it would be my honor to assist you thru the process.  I look forward to answering your questions!

Helen Cook

610-797-5887

helen.cook@lcc.culturalcare.com

Au Pair Ski Day at Camelback Ski Mountain A Success!

Posted by: hcook on February 25, 2010

     Lehigh Valley Au Pairs from Cultural Care Au Pair converged on Camelback Ski Mountain on Sunday — Over 100 Au Pairs from the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia area spent a wonderful day skiing or snowboarding!   The weather was great and even the beginners never wanted to leave the slopes!  For more photos of the Ski/Snowboard Day - see Photos Page above.

February Meeting — Ski Camelback Mountain!

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 !!!

January Au Pair Meeting — Ice Skating!

Posted by: hcook on January 23, 2010

REMINDER:  The January Au Pair Meeting for the  Lehigh Valley Au Pairs be held on January 24, 2010.  We will all go “Ice Skating” (Indoor Ice Rink).   ”Steel City Ice Center”  is conveniently located on the south side of Bethlehem on the site of the historic Bethlehem Steel Company.  The location is easily accessible from Routes 22 or 78 via Routes 378 and 412.   Plenty of parking is available.  Here are the details:

WHERE:     Steel City Ice Center, 320 East 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

PHONE:     610-625-4774

DATE:       Sunday, January 24, 2010

TIME:         1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.  (Lateness will count as a Non Attendance!)

COST:        $5.00 Per Au Pair (Includes Rental of Skates and Public Ice Skating)

We will have a private room for you to relax, have hot chocolate and snacks!   We will have a short CEP Safety Meeting and will be finalizing the Ski/Snowboard Trip Details (Ski/Snowboard Day is Sunday, February 21).

Procedure:   Come to the Steel Ice Center Building and go to the “Front Desk”.  Give the person at the Front Desk your name and she/he will give you a ticket for the rental skates.  Go to the Rental Area - gather your skates - and come to the Meeting Room (near the ice).  You will have 1 1/2 hours of skating time.  You will pay Helen ($5.00) in the Meeting Room (not to the Front Desk).

Please watch for more details re Ski/Snowboard Trip.  I WILL NEED YOUR RESERVATION AND MONEY FOR THE SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP ON THIS JANUARY MEETING SUNDAY!!!   We will be completing the Rental Forms for the Ski/Snowboard Trip and please — if you can have your payment for the trip (correct amount if possible — it’s always hard to make change — cost of the Ski/Snowboard Trip announced in January Newsletter).

Looking forward to seeing all Au Pairs on Sunday, January 24, 2010 — Bring friends and/or other Au Pairs — all are invited!

Directions to the Steel Ice Center

From Route 22:
1. Exit onto the 378 South/Bethlehem exit.
2. Follow 378 South until the expressway ends.
3. Get into the left lane.
4. At the first light turn left onto 3rd Street.
5. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
6. Turn left onto Polk Street.
7. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.
1. Exit 67 at Hellertown/Bethlehem.
2. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 412 North.
3. Pass Wendy’s on your left.
4. Continue to the third light and make a soft right to
  continue on 412. (412 becomes 3rd Street)
5. Turn right at the Polk Street traffic light. (Polk Street   is just after the Discovery Center)
6. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.     

From I-78:

From the South:
1. Take 309 North through Coopersburg to 378 North.
2. Follow 378 North over the mountain.
3. At the bottom of the mountain you will see a McDonald’s on your left.
4. Go to the second light after the McDonald’s where you will see the Church of the Nativity.
5. Turn right at this light onto 3rd Street.
6. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
7. Turn left onto Polk Street.
8. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.

Survey Results — Cultural Care Au Pair Gets Great Reviews!

Posted by: hcook on January 22, 2010

THE RESULTS ARE IN ….  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 statistics:  - 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    - 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 are 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.

Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief

Posted by: hcook on January 20, 2010

The epic earthquake in Haiti has affected all of us — the suffering is unbelievable and help is needed now and for a long time in the future.

At Cultural Care Au Pair and our parent company EF Education First, we believe in connecting people as citizens of the world, and breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography.  Never is that mission more important than in a time of crisis.  In order to reach out to the people of Haiti, EF Education First will match up to $100,000 of employee, student and customer donations made through the American Red Cross.  We believe this is our responsibility as a company, as educators and as global citizens.  We hope you will join us in our effort to aid the millions of Haitians who need our support.  Together, we can make a difference.

If you would like to make a donation, please click or paste the following link in your browser:   

http://american.redcross.org/efeducationfirst-emp

LCC Availability

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.