Here is the announcement made by IAPA, written by Ozgur Tore, on the official release of the winner of the Au Pair of the Year Award:
Au Pair of the Year awarded at City Hall in Vienna
Published by Ozgur Tore
Monday, 30 March 2009
IAPA - the International Au Pair Association has announced the winner of the Au Pair of the Year, 24-year old, Ricardo Silva de Araujo of Brazil. He was placed with a family in the United States.
Now in its sixth year, the annual award presented by IAPA goes to an Au Pair that embodies the spirit of cultural exchange. Families from around the world that have received an Au Pair from one of IAPA’s 140 plus member agencies can nominate candidates for the award. A panel of IAPA representatives then selects three finalists from the hundreds of entries, with a winner chosen from these.
“As is the case every year, we had a very difficult time selecting just one winner from the many, many deserving entries we received. Ricardo was so special for his openness, sharing and commitment to his host family and their son Taylor,” said Jack Hompes, IAPA chairman.
Cultural Care Au Pair, an organisation based in the USA placed Ricardo with the Boyer family. The family’s now 17-year son, Taylor is multi-handicapped, having suffered an allergic reaction to an immunization as a six month old. He is unable to speak, has difficulty walking and experiences seizures. In Ricardo’s words however, “he may not able to talk, but he is able to feel. His feelings are pure as an angel and his smile when happy, is the best way to say thank you.”
Upon Ricardo’s arrival with the Boyer family that was in the midst of preparing for their daughter’s upcoming wedding, Ricardo was amazed by the incredible patience and support the family showed him during this stressful time. There was much Ricardo had to learn in order to help properly care for Taylor and the family’s support made the enormous transition to a new culture, new language and learning new skills much easier.
Talking about his time with the family, Ricardo says, “I learned the real meaning of love, patience and respect. Real love does not come in phrases like: “I love you,” this is easy to say but difficult to feel.
Taylor’s disability is not an obstacle for his happiness, this has made me feel good. I love Taylor and know he loves me back. I can feel it.”
Ricardo concludes, ”I came to America as an au pair, I will leave a better human being.”
For his achievement, Ricardo Silva de Araujo received a commemorative plaque and prize from IAPA, in addition to an all expense paid trip to Vienna to receive the award.
The award is presented as part of the IAPA Annual Conference and in conjunction with the Work Experience Travel Market.
About the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) was established in 1994 by cultural exchange organisations seeking to improve and protect the rights of au pairs and host families around the world. The association has been responsible for the creation of internationally recognised guidelines for au pairs and exchange programmes with its 140 plus member organisations agreeing to abide by the IAPA Code of Conduct: signifying competence, fair dealing and high integrity.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Rate our Top Three Agency Picks!
Please take a few moments to take our short survey on our Top Au Pair Agency Picks!
We want to continue to ensure that our ratings of these au pair agencies are accurate and up-to-date!
Thank you for taking the time to complete the short survey - click below to start:
http://www.polldaddy.com/s/06EC37D1D9E06A6B/
We want to continue to ensure that our ratings of these au pair agencies are accurate and up-to-date!
Thank you for taking the time to complete the short survey - click below to start:
http://www.polldaddy.com/s/06EC37D1D9E06A6B/
Friday, March 20, 2009
Economic Downturn Linked to an Increase in Child Abuse
Economic Downturn Linked to Increase in Child Abuse?
March 2009: In Boston, safety advocates warn cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are rising and pleaded with lawmakers not to cut funding for the education and prevention of this deadly form of child abuse.
Dr. Deborah Eappen, whose son, Matthew, was killed by the British au pair Louise Woodward 10 years ago, said she was concerned the current economic downturn will burden families and cause stress between parents and children, leading to domestic violence. “Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome is the way to go,” said Eappen. “It's like an immunization against child abuse.”
Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, who prosecuted the high-profile Louise Woodward train, said, “It’s a decade after Matty Eappen was killed -- shaken and slammed to death -- and we’re still here talking about shaken baby syndrome and shaken impact syndrome as being a prominent and prevalent form of child abuse.”
Apparently, cases of the brain injury known as Shaken Baby Syndrome have increased in the past few months, a spike that Massachusett's child abuse specialists say may be linked to families' depressed economic situation.
Research has shown a relationship between increased family stress and domestic abuse where the more stress a family experiences, the more vulnerable the children are to incidents of abuse.
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a baby is violently shaken, causing the brain to hit against the sides of their skull, causing neurological injury that can lead to life-long mental and physical disabilities or death.
You can view Dr. Eappen and District Attorney, Gerry Leone, plead with Massachusett's lawmakers not to cut the state's $350,000 budget alloted for Shaken Child Syndrome: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/18969408/index.html.
Caution: If your infant is cared by an au pair, who is typically young, often
inexperienced, make certain you educate her about Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Tell her,"Never Shake the Baby!" under any circumstances. Tell her what can happen - she may not know she can cause neurological damage to the baby or even death.
March 2009: In Boston, safety advocates warn cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are rising and pleaded with lawmakers not to cut funding for the education and prevention of this deadly form of child abuse.
Dr. Deborah Eappen, whose son, Matthew, was killed by the British au pair Louise Woodward 10 years ago, said she was concerned the current economic downturn will burden families and cause stress between parents and children, leading to domestic violence. “Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome is the way to go,” said Eappen. “It's like an immunization against child abuse.”
Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, who prosecuted the high-profile Louise Woodward train, said, “It’s a decade after Matty Eappen was killed -- shaken and slammed to death -- and we’re still here talking about shaken baby syndrome and shaken impact syndrome as being a prominent and prevalent form of child abuse.”
Apparently, cases of the brain injury known as Shaken Baby Syndrome have increased in the past few months, a spike that Massachusett's child abuse specialists say may be linked to families' depressed economic situation.
Research has shown a relationship between increased family stress and domestic abuse where the more stress a family experiences, the more vulnerable the children are to incidents of abuse.
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a baby is violently shaken, causing the brain to hit against the sides of their skull, causing neurological injury that can lead to life-long mental and physical disabilities or death.
You can view Dr. Eappen and District Attorney, Gerry Leone, plead with Massachusett's lawmakers not to cut the state's $350,000 budget alloted for Shaken Child Syndrome: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/18969408/index.html.
Caution: If your infant is cared by an au pair, who is typically young, often
inexperienced, make certain you educate her about Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Tell her,"Never Shake the Baby!" under any circumstances. Tell her what can happen - she may not know she can cause neurological damage to the baby or even death.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Child Chokes to Death on Carrot - Does your Au Pair know CPR?
Tragedy struck a Long Island day school Wednesday, March 16, 2009, when police say a two-year-old girl died after choking on a piece of raw carrot.
According to the Carousel Day School in Hicksville, New York, the girl began to choke after eating a piece of carrot. Daycare employees tried to perform CPR on her, before rushing the toddler to Nassau University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics one child in the U.S. dies from choking on food every 5 days!
Is your au pair certified in CPR? Did your agency train your au pair to adequately handle such an emergency if your child started to choke on food?
If your au pair does not have the CPR Certification or the necessary skills required to dislodge food from a child's throat, it may mean the difference of life or death for your child.
We took a look at the 12 au pair agencies and we found health and safety information on all their sites that confirm all au pairs do receive some training in first aid and CPR. The U.S. Department of State requires that some form of basic training must be provided during the 4-5 day au pair orientation.
We found that only one of the agencies provides the full CPR Core training that results in a CPR Certification! We also found one agency that will reimburse you or your au pair if she completes the training after she arrives at your home.
To find out who these au pair agencies are, (and the basic training the other agencies do provide), read the entire article at www.aupairclearinghouse.com under Current News.
According to the Carousel Day School in Hicksville, New York, the girl began to choke after eating a piece of carrot. Daycare employees tried to perform CPR on her, before rushing the toddler to Nassau University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics one child in the U.S. dies from choking on food every 5 days!
Is your au pair certified in CPR? Did your agency train your au pair to adequately handle such an emergency if your child started to choke on food?
If your au pair does not have the CPR Certification or the necessary skills required to dislodge food from a child's throat, it may mean the difference of life or death for your child.
We took a look at the 12 au pair agencies and we found health and safety information on all their sites that confirm all au pairs do receive some training in first aid and CPR. The U.S. Department of State requires that some form of basic training must be provided during the 4-5 day au pair orientation.
We found that only one of the agencies provides the full CPR Core training that results in a CPR Certification! We also found one agency that will reimburse you or your au pair if she completes the training after she arrives at your home.
To find out who these au pair agencies are, (and the basic training the other agencies do provide), read the entire article at www.aupairclearinghouse.com under Current News.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Johnson's No Tear's Baby Shampoo Carcinogenic?
A new report just released confirms the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in popular baby bath products. These chemicals have caused cancer in animals and in humans!
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 48 top-selling children's products for 1,4-dioxane and 28 of them for formaldehyde.
Formaledehyde is used for embalming corpses and as glue in chipboard.
The 1,4-dioxane chemical is used as a foaming agent in bath products.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have linked the chemical to cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, brain and possibly leukemia.
Among the products that had one or more of these chemicals in their ingredients were:
Johnson's Baby Shampoo
L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 shampoo
Pampers Kandoo foaming hand soap.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have linked the chemical to cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, brain and possibly leukemia.
Read the entire post and get the link to the study by visiting http://www.aupairclearinghouse.com/.
Is there a possible link between shampooing infants' heads with these products and the dramatic, unexplained spike in the numbers of children diagnosed with autism?
We know autism is a disorder of the brain, but experts have not been able to fully explain how this happens and why so many children have been diagnosed with this disorder in the past 30 years.
This new study may start to raise questions about this possible link between the use of these products on infants' heads (where the fontanel only forms a thick skin over the top of an infant's head, leaving them vulnerable to environmental hazards) and the staggering rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism and other brain-related disorders.
What is your opinion?
Let us know!
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 48 top-selling children's products for 1,4-dioxane and 28 of them for formaldehyde.
Formaledehyde is used for embalming corpses and as glue in chipboard.
The 1,4-dioxane chemical is used as a foaming agent in bath products.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have linked the chemical to cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, brain and possibly leukemia.
Among the products that had one or more of these chemicals in their ingredients were:
Johnson's Baby Shampoo
L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 shampoo
Pampers Kandoo foaming hand soap.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have linked the chemical to cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, brain and possibly leukemia.
Read the entire post and get the link to the study by visiting http://www.aupairclearinghouse.com/.
Is there a possible link between shampooing infants' heads with these products and the dramatic, unexplained spike in the numbers of children diagnosed with autism?
We know autism is a disorder of the brain, but experts have not been able to fully explain how this happens and why so many children have been diagnosed with this disorder in the past 30 years.
This new study may start to raise questions about this possible link between the use of these products on infants' heads (where the fontanel only forms a thick skin over the top of an infant's head, leaving them vulnerable to environmental hazards) and the staggering rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism and other brain-related disorders.
What is your opinion?
Let us know!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Nanny Cams - Right or Wrong?
We have all heard stories of childcare workers abusing young children they were hired to care for. Perhaps you have given some thought to this and considered a "nanny cam" yourself. Working parents worry about their children and particulary their babies, who cannot tell them they are mistreated by their au pair. After all, your new au pair is a stranger, from a foreign country, young and perhaps inexperienced!
Do you have the right to install a nanny cam and record her during the day? What are your rights, as parents? What privacy rights does your au pair have not to be recorded without her knowledge and approval?
It is legal, in all fifty states, to use a hidden camera in your home. However, it is illegal to record someone's conversation via the camera without their consent in the following fifteen states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennyslvania, and Washington.
If the prospect of video taping your au pair conflicts with your sense of ethics, be upfront and during the interview, ask her if she would mind being monitored while taking care of your infant. You can tell your au pair that you would like to be able to see your baby while you are at work, and discuss the camera as a way to connect with your child(ren) during the day. This explanation presents the nanny cam as a positive experience for the family, rather than a looming doubt on your part about her ability to care for your children.
Keep in mind, most au pairs would bristle at the thought of being taped without their knowledge! It is a matter of trust vs a feeling of deception.
Caregiver surveillance is more common nowadays and is an integral part of any good daycare. Some daycare centers now provide parents with the ability to check in and watch their child from their office - so it is not much of a stretch to consider installing a nanny cam in your own home. The public in general are becoming more comfortable with camera surveillance and we know we might be on video shopping, going to the bank, entering apartment and office buildings, etc. So, why not use nanny cams to protect children?
If you are considering installing such a device (and have the okay from your au pair), make sure you are not violating her rights by placing the camera in inappropriate areas of your home (her room, the bathrooms, etc.) where she does expect privacy. Nanny cams are usually placed in rooms where the baby spends most of her day: kitchen, her bedroom, the family room.
There are many type of nanny cams available on the market and most are small and wireless so they can be tucked away without being noticed. Just place the camera in a discreet location within the recommended transmission signal range. Plug the receiver into your computer and it will lock onto the camera’s transmission signal. Video is then recorded onto the hard drive of your computer. You can also set it up with software programs that enable you to watch the video live on the internet while you’re at work.
After a while, the au pair will not even think about the camera and just get on with her busy day taking care of the baby and you get the peace of mind that you can monitor your child's safety as well as checking in to see what your little one is up to, right from the comforts of your office!
Has anyone used a nanny cam? What was your experience? Did you feel okay about it, and more importantly, was your au pair aware that you were videotaping her?
Please send in your comments so readers can benefit from your experience - Nanny Cams, Right or Wrong??
Do you have the right to install a nanny cam and record her during the day? What are your rights, as parents? What privacy rights does your au pair have not to be recorded without her knowledge and approval?
It is legal, in all fifty states, to use a hidden camera in your home. However, it is illegal to record someone's conversation via the camera without their consent in the following fifteen states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennyslvania, and Washington.
If the prospect of video taping your au pair conflicts with your sense of ethics, be upfront and during the interview, ask her if she would mind being monitored while taking care of your infant. You can tell your au pair that you would like to be able to see your baby while you are at work, and discuss the camera as a way to connect with your child(ren) during the day. This explanation presents the nanny cam as a positive experience for the family, rather than a looming doubt on your part about her ability to care for your children.
Keep in mind, most au pairs would bristle at the thought of being taped without their knowledge! It is a matter of trust vs a feeling of deception.
Caregiver surveillance is more common nowadays and is an integral part of any good daycare. Some daycare centers now provide parents with the ability to check in and watch their child from their office - so it is not much of a stretch to consider installing a nanny cam in your own home. The public in general are becoming more comfortable with camera surveillance and we know we might be on video shopping, going to the bank, entering apartment and office buildings, etc. So, why not use nanny cams to protect children?
If you are considering installing such a device (and have the okay from your au pair), make sure you are not violating her rights by placing the camera in inappropriate areas of your home (her room, the bathrooms, etc.) where she does expect privacy. Nanny cams are usually placed in rooms where the baby spends most of her day: kitchen, her bedroom, the family room.
There are many type of nanny cams available on the market and most are small and wireless so they can be tucked away without being noticed. Just place the camera in a discreet location within the recommended transmission signal range. Plug the receiver into your computer and it will lock onto the camera’s transmission signal. Video is then recorded onto the hard drive of your computer. You can also set it up with software programs that enable you to watch the video live on the internet while you’re at work.
After a while, the au pair will not even think about the camera and just get on with her busy day taking care of the baby and you get the peace of mind that you can monitor your child's safety as well as checking in to see what your little one is up to, right from the comforts of your office!
Has anyone used a nanny cam? What was your experience? Did you feel okay about it, and more importantly, was your au pair aware that you were videotaping her?
Please send in your comments so readers can benefit from your experience - Nanny Cams, Right or Wrong??
Monday, March 9, 2009
AuPairUSA offers Deep Discount to Host Families
If you are looking to host an au pair and you want to save money, check out the AuPairUSA agency at www.aupairusa.org.
When you apply before March 16, 2009, they will waive the $300 application fee and take another $500 off your fees when you match! That is a really deep discount!
AuPairUSA has been placing au pairs in American families for over 20 years and they are supervised by the U.S. Department of State.
They also have a Summer Program!
When you apply before March 16, 2009, they will waive the $300 application fee and take another $500 off your fees when you match! That is a really deep discount!
AuPairUSA has been placing au pairs in American families for over 20 years and they are supervised by the U.S. Department of State.
They also have a Summer Program!
Summer Programs - Time to Register!
It is time to start thinking about hosting an au pair for the summer! If you don't have an au pair now, but you need help with the children during the long summer months, you can host an au pair for up to 4 months.
If you are busy working or have several children who will be home for the summer, you can save money by hosting an au pair who can handle multiple children and arrange activities with all of them in place of expensive camps or different summer programs for each child.
The summer programs offer full-time, live-in childcare through the months for those months you need it most. The program is perfect for families with children over the age of 2, who are ready to accept a young international visitor into their home for up to 4 months. The Summer program is only open to families with children over the age of two.
Summer au pairs undergo the same screening as year-long au pairs and attend the same au pair orientation and training program. The au pairs receive the same weekly stipend as full-year au pairs, plus pro-rated vacation days and pro-rated educational allowance (they are required to take one, 3 credit course during the time they are in the U.S.).
From the list of the 12 designated au pair agencies (supervised by the U.S. Department of State) only two au pair agencies have summer programs and they both have deadlines that you must meet in order to receive an au pair in the summer - the time is getting closer to the cut-off dates and if you want that au pair by June or July, you should check out one of these two agencies and register soon!
1. Au Pair USA (www.aupairusa.org) Phone number: 1-800-AU-PAIRS
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines and Fees* for 2009
Choose your au pair by the following date and they will arrive in NYC on the second date shown:
Match by April 20: Receive an au pair by: June 1 or June 5
Match by April 27: Receive an au pair by: June 8 or June 12
Match by May 4: Receive an au pair by: June 15 or June 19
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th.
Program Fees: $2960
Application Fee: $300 (No discounts at this time)
2. goAupair (www.goAupair.com) Phone: 1-888-AUPAIR1
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines and Fees* for 2009
Match by April 10: Receive an au pair starting May 15.
Program runs through September 15 2009.
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th.
Program Fees: $2795
Special Discount: They are waiving the $250 application fee
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines for 2009
Choose your au pair by: April 20, April 27, May 4
They will arrive in New York City: June 1, June 8, June 15
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th and must leave the United States by October 15th if they chose to travel before returning home.
*Fees do not include weekly stipend or educational allowance ($250)
If you are busy working or have several children who will be home for the summer, you can save money by hosting an au pair who can handle multiple children and arrange activities with all of them in place of expensive camps or different summer programs for each child.
The summer programs offer full-time, live-in childcare through the months for those months you need it most. The program is perfect for families with children over the age of 2, who are ready to accept a young international visitor into their home for up to 4 months. The Summer program is only open to families with children over the age of two.
Summer au pairs undergo the same screening as year-long au pairs and attend the same au pair orientation and training program. The au pairs receive the same weekly stipend as full-year au pairs, plus pro-rated vacation days and pro-rated educational allowance (they are required to take one, 3 credit course during the time they are in the U.S.).
From the list of the 12 designated au pair agencies (supervised by the U.S. Department of State) only two au pair agencies have summer programs and they both have deadlines that you must meet in order to receive an au pair in the summer - the time is getting closer to the cut-off dates and if you want that au pair by June or July, you should check out one of these two agencies and register soon!
1. Au Pair USA (www.aupairusa.org) Phone number: 1-800-AU-PAIRS
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines and Fees* for 2009
Choose your au pair by the following date and they will arrive in NYC on the second date shown:
Match by April 20: Receive an au pair by: June 1 or June 5
Match by April 27: Receive an au pair by: June 8 or June 12
Match by May 4: Receive an au pair by: June 15 or June 19
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th.
Program Fees: $2960
Application Fee: $300 (No discounts at this time)
2. goAupair (www.goAupair.com) Phone: 1-888-AUPAIR1
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines and Fees* for 2009
Match by April 10: Receive an au pair starting May 15.
Program runs through September 15 2009.
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th.
Program Fees: $2795
Special Discount: They are waiving the $250 application fee
Summer Au Pair Program Deadlines for 2009
Choose your au pair by: April 20, April 27, May 4
They will arrive in New York City: June 1, June 8, June 15
Summer au pairs must leave their host family by September 15th and must leave the United States by October 15th if they chose to travel before returning home.
*Fees do not include weekly stipend or educational allowance ($250)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Cultural Care Agency Recipient of 2009 Au Pair of the Year Award
For the second year in a row, an au pair from Cultural Care Au Pair Agency has received the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) Au Pair of the Year Award.
Out of nearly 50,000 au pairs worldwide, Ricardo, a male au pair from Brazil, has been awarded the prestigious award as a result of his dedication to the care of the special needs son of a Richmond, VA host family. He will be traveling to Vienna, Austria to receive this very special honor.
We will report more details of this breaking news story after the award is presented at the IAPA conference that takes place at the end of March.
Last year, Linda Falter, a German au pair (also from Cultural Care), received the award for the special and dedicated service she gave to her California host family.
Read about her at www.aupairclearinghouse.com
IAPA is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, and since 2004, their Au Pair of the Year award has highlighted the positive impact au pairs have had on their host families. Each year, IAPA receives thousands of nominations, from host families worldwide, who believe their au pair to be deserving of this honor.
We are very excited to get the news before the actual press release and awards ceremony and we send our congratulations to Cultural Care, Ricardo and his very lucky family!
Out of nearly 50,000 au pairs worldwide, Ricardo, a male au pair from Brazil, has been awarded the prestigious award as a result of his dedication to the care of the special needs son of a Richmond, VA host family. He will be traveling to Vienna, Austria to receive this very special honor.
We will report more details of this breaking news story after the award is presented at the IAPA conference that takes place at the end of March.
Last year, Linda Falter, a German au pair (also from Cultural Care), received the award for the special and dedicated service she gave to her California host family.
Read about her at www.aupairclearinghouse.com
IAPA is the global trade association for qualified au pair agencies and companies, and since 2004, their Au Pair of the Year award has highlighted the positive impact au pairs have had on their host families. Each year, IAPA receives thousands of nominations, from host families worldwide, who believe their au pair to be deserving of this honor.
We are very excited to get the news before the actual press release and awards ceremony and we send our congratulations to Cultural Care, Ricardo and his very lucky family!
Cultural Care & Au Pair in America Price Wars
Looks like the "Coke and Pepsi" rivals of the au pair industry are slugging it out again in their never-ending battle to gain market share.
Cultural Care rose to their number one spot with an aggressive marketing campaign and expansion of services into Au Pair in America's territories and left Au Pair in America in the dust 6 years ago.
Au Pair in America, the nation's first au pair agency, has been struggling ever since to regain their #1 one position in the industry. Despite the competition, Au Pair in America raised fees in 2009 (they are now the most expensive program) and they continue to struggle with the negative effects of a weak and poorly funded marketing strategy.
Au Pair in America's launch of their new family protection insurance was a clever marketing come-back to Cultural Care's announcement they were not raising fees for 2009.
Au Pair in America unrolled their new program at the heels of Cultural Care's announcement they would not raise fees in order to provide host families financial relief during the economic crisis.
In response to Au Pair in America's new family protection plan, Cultural Care just announced their family protection program - the "Peace of Mind Guarantee" ensures host families if they are forced to withdraw from the program, due to a job loss, the company will refund any unused portion of their program fees and place the current au pair with a new family so she can complete her program.
In terms of lower fees and overall costs, The "Coke and Pepsi" wars between au pair agencies continue to be a win-win for host families.
To read the full details of these programs, read the press releases at www.aupairinamerica.com and go to Current News (Press Releases).
By Edina Stone, at 03/07/2009 - 13:44 Edina
Cultural Care rose to their number one spot with an aggressive marketing campaign and expansion of services into Au Pair in America's territories and left Au Pair in America in the dust 6 years ago.
Au Pair in America, the nation's first au pair agency, has been struggling ever since to regain their #1 one position in the industry. Despite the competition, Au Pair in America raised fees in 2009 (they are now the most expensive program) and they continue to struggle with the negative effects of a weak and poorly funded marketing strategy.
Au Pair in America's launch of their new family protection insurance was a clever marketing come-back to Cultural Care's announcement they were not raising fees for 2009.
Au Pair in America unrolled their new program at the heels of Cultural Care's announcement they would not raise fees in order to provide host families financial relief during the economic crisis.
In response to Au Pair in America's new family protection plan, Cultural Care just announced their family protection program - the "Peace of Mind Guarantee" ensures host families if they are forced to withdraw from the program, due to a job loss, the company will refund any unused portion of their program fees and place the current au pair with a new family so she can complete her program.
In terms of lower fees and overall costs, The "Coke and Pepsi" wars between au pair agencies continue to be a win-win for host families.
To read the full details of these programs, read the press releases at www.aupairinamerica.com and go to Current News (Press Releases).
By Edina Stone, at 03/07/2009 - 13:44 Edina
Friday, March 6, 2009
5 Top Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms Returning to Work
In these tough economic times, more stay-at-home moms are returning to the work place. What’s the best way for them to get ready? Career counselors say the first thing to focus on is attitude. Many stay-at-home parents need to get over the negative thinking, “Who will hire me now, I have been out of work for so long!”
Don’t be discouraged but be determined and focus on doing what you can to get back into the game. Here are top tips that can jump-start your decision to go back to work:
Tip #1: Get Ready and Invest in your Career. The better your education and training, the more options you will have re-entering the workforce. Many stay-at-home moms make the mistake of volunteering at school or on local town groups. Instead, take a class or register for a seminar in your field or volunteer in your area of expertise – keeping current is critical to your job search and it looks great on your resume!
Tip #2: Stay in Touch with Your Professional Network: Keep up with your peers from your prior workplace. Give them a call and stay in touch. Maintaining professional connections help peers remember you and they can often suggest an opening or other employment possibilities when they become available.
Tip #3: Polish that Resume: Take out that old resume and polish it up! You will need to customize a resume for each job you apply for, highlighting your skills and experience to the specific job requirements. Also, a three-five year absence is easy to explain, but 10 years is harder. Most human resource managers say age-related bias becomes real for both men and women over 45 and increases as we move into our 50s!
Tip #4: Do Go Back Full-Time: In these hard economic times, part-time positions or flex-time positions are harder to find, for you or anyone at any stage in their career. Make a commitment to return to work full-time and your employment options increase.
Tip#5: Find Affordable Childcare: When you do get hired, your pay may be at the low end, due to your lack of experience or the many years you have been out of the workplace. You don’t want to spend more than 40% or 50% of your income on childcare! You also have other expenses to consider: a new work wardrobe and commuting costs.
Consider hosting an au pair for very affordable childcare and the built-in flexibility it offers your family. If you are running late getting home, and your husband is away on a business trip, your live-in au pair is there to cover for you. Au pair care is cheaper than other childcare options: daycare, private babysitters or nannies. After school programs can be very expensive, and are cancelled in bad weather.
Don’t be discouraged but be determined and focus on doing what you can to get back into the game. Here are top tips that can jump-start your decision to go back to work:
Tip #1: Get Ready and Invest in your Career. The better your education and training, the more options you will have re-entering the workforce. Many stay-at-home moms make the mistake of volunteering at school or on local town groups. Instead, take a class or register for a seminar in your field or volunteer in your area of expertise – keeping current is critical to your job search and it looks great on your resume!
Tip #2: Stay in Touch with Your Professional Network: Keep up with your peers from your prior workplace. Give them a call and stay in touch. Maintaining professional connections help peers remember you and they can often suggest an opening or other employment possibilities when they become available.
Tip #3: Polish that Resume: Take out that old resume and polish it up! You will need to customize a resume for each job you apply for, highlighting your skills and experience to the specific job requirements. Also, a three-five year absence is easy to explain, but 10 years is harder. Most human resource managers say age-related bias becomes real for both men and women over 45 and increases as we move into our 50s!
Tip #4: Do Go Back Full-Time: In these hard economic times, part-time positions or flex-time positions are harder to find, for you or anyone at any stage in their career. Make a commitment to return to work full-time and your employment options increase.
Tip#5: Find Affordable Childcare: When you do get hired, your pay may be at the low end, due to your lack of experience or the many years you have been out of the workplace. You don’t want to spend more than 40% or 50% of your income on childcare! You also have other expenses to consider: a new work wardrobe and commuting costs.
Consider hosting an au pair for very affordable childcare and the built-in flexibility it offers your family. If you are running late getting home, and your husband is away on a business trip, your live-in au pair is there to cover for you. Au pair care is cheaper than other childcare options: daycare, private babysitters or nannies. After school programs can be very expensive, and are cancelled in bad weather.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Thailand, Land of Smiles
We just posted our feature country for the month of March 2009, on our website, www.aupairclearinghouse.com. To read the entire article click on the address and go to Cultural Differences.
Thailand is a wonderful country to visit - the beaches are great and the weather is tropical bliss. Au pairs from Thailand offer an exciting cultural exchange for your family - they are kind, intelligent and gentle with children. Most Thais are Buddhists and are respectful and honest.
If you are thinking about a Thai au pair, read the article, there are pros and cons when hosting a girl from Thailand - driving and English skills can be problematic!
We would love to hear from host families who had, or have, a Thai au pair! What are your experiences and did she acclimate well into American culture?
How was her driving? Her English skills?
We would love to hear from Thai au pairs too! How did you find your stay in America? Was is all that you hoped for? What were some of the big 'changes' that you didn't expect? What was your favorite thing about America and your least favorite thing?
Thailand is a wonderful country to visit - the beaches are great and the weather is tropical bliss. Au pairs from Thailand offer an exciting cultural exchange for your family - they are kind, intelligent and gentle with children. Most Thais are Buddhists and are respectful and honest.
If you are thinking about a Thai au pair, read the article, there are pros and cons when hosting a girl from Thailand - driving and English skills can be problematic!
We would love to hear from host families who had, or have, a Thai au pair! What are your experiences and did she acclimate well into American culture?
How was her driving? Her English skills?
We would love to hear from Thai au pairs too! How did you find your stay in America? Was is all that you hoped for? What were some of the big 'changes' that you didn't expect? What was your favorite thing about America and your least favorite thing?
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