21
Welcome Melanie!
Published by psauer, under Uncategorized. No Comments.
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Melanie who arrived to her host family in Glen Ellyn on Friday. Melanie is 23 years old and from Vienna, Austria.
21
Goodbye Sara
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Goodbye to Sara who is leaving her host family and returning to her home in Bollnas, Sweden. Best of luck to you! It was a pleasure getting to know you and hope that you stay in touch!
04
Join our on-line Cultural Care Community!
Published by psauer, under Program Info, Uncategorized. No Comments.
We are happy to announce an innovative on-line resource for host families, the Cultural Care Community. On our new site, families can ask a question, share an idea or “best practice” they use with their au pair, report a problem they are having or give praise. Cultural Care staff, LCCs and other host families can help answer your questions and join in the discussion. This new community is not meant to replace the customer service structure and systems that we already have in place, but rather to give host families a public forum to share with us and to connect with other families. Visit http://community.culturalcare.com, join the conversation and let us know what you think!
31
August Meeting
Published by psauer, under Meetings. No Comments.
Swedish au pairs Sandra and Sara enjoying their coffee at Starbucks
19
Back to School Savings
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When you apply to Cultural Care Au Pair by August 31st, 2009 we’ll not only waive our $350 application fee, Cultural Care will extend to you a $500 program fee discount and free overseas connection service during the matching process (a $150 value). So your total savings = $1,000! Use promo code PCBTS2009 when you apply to take advantage of this offer. Host families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, apply by August 31, 2009 and welcome an au pair into their home by October 23, 2009.
20
Baby Loves Disco in Naperville
Published by psauer, under Local Info. No Comments.
Like most parents I am always on the lookout for new people, places, and things to entertain my children. Most recently I discovered Baby Loves Disco. In a nutshell, Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party for parents and their children with real music spun by real djs “guaranteed to to get those little booties moving and grooving.” You can also expect bubbles, balloons, toys, healthy snacks and more…. whats not to love!
For $12 per person in advance ($15 at the door) you can experience Baby Loves Disco in Naperville on October 18 from 2-5 pm at Rizzo’s 6 West Jefferson Street. Non-walking infants are FREE!
For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/naperville/
10
Cultural Care Au Pair in the Naperville Sun
Published by psauer, under News. No Comments.
Au pair care
Coordinator connects international caretakers with Naperville families
By DAVID SHAROS For The Sun
The current economic woes have cast a difficult net around many families, as parents without work need to find jobs, often at the cost of having to be away from their children.
Finding appropriate and affordable day care can complicate things even more, but a local agency might be the answer to those trying to balance work and child care issues.
Cultural Care Au Pair — which includes a network of hundreds of coordinators across the country, including one now in Naperville — offers an option to families looking for more than just baby-sitting.
Paula Sauer, recently named Cultural Care Au Pair local childcare coordinator, will provide service and support to host families and their au pairs throughout the current program year.
Sauer works with program and development directors throughout the Midwest to help place au pairs and make appropriate matches with parents and children.
Sauer said the program offers a unique synergy as the au pairs offer a cultural experience for families in exchange for freeing up parents for work.
“Most of our au pairs come from Germany, but the fact is, we have people from various countries all over the world,” Sauer said. “Many of them come to the U.S. and enroll in classes while they work, hoping to improve their English skills as well as become more immersed in the culture. Children wind up getting a cultural education they otherwise would never have.”
Sauer said the au pairs generally range in age from 18 to 28, although the majority usually fall in the 19- to 21-year-old range. Most are female, but males are also placed, often with families that consist strictly of boys.
All candidates are carefully screened by representatives of the Cultural Care Au Pair group working in the candidate’s country. Experience with children must be documented and criminal background checks are also conducted.
“Parents have the opportunity to interview the au pair over the phone, check their references and then decide if they are interested,” Sauer said. “It’s important that both parties have real expectations for one another and that no personality conflicts get in the way. The role of people like myself and the area program director is to provide support and mediate problems should they arise.”
Au pairs provide up to 45 hours a week of child care and must be flexible about their services. Rather than a regular nine-to-five work week, parents working a night shift or those having appointments later in the evening can use some or all of those hours as necessary.
Au pairs also perform “light housekeeping” duties, which include preparing meals for children, doing laundry and helping children clean their rooms.
“Driving kids to school is another part of the job for some, and when we know that parents are depending on the au pair providing some of the transportation, we often try to get a person from Germany, as most of the au pairs from there have a license,” Sauer said.
The program is governed by federal regulations here, including a weekly stipend which must be paid to the au pair. Many use the money for school-related expenses, Sauer said.
Those looking to hire an au pair pay a little more than $7,000 in program fees, but the actual weekly cost is far less.
“Including the program fees and stipend, the average family pays about $320 a week for the 45 hours of care, making the cost a lot more affordable,” Sauer said. “We also offer a ‘peace of mind’ guarantee where if people are laid off, their care is not disrupted.”
Sauer said her placement here in Naperville seems to be a good one, as many residents and their children should benefit from “the cultural experience.”
“We see this service as providing a viable option for people who need child care, and something that will enrich their cultural education,” she said. “Many of these au pairs become members of the family — people you stay in touch with for years to come.”
Au pairs Jennyhayden Sanchez (center), 20, and Anna Sandoval (right), 18, both of Mexico, play Uno on Thursday with brothers Will Matheney, 9, (left) Christopher Matheney, 4, (center) and Andrew Matheney, 11, at the Matheney home in Naperville. Sandoval, who is in training, will be taking over as the Matheneys’ new au pair after Sanchez leaves. Both girls were placed with the family through Cultural Care Au Pair.
(Jonathan Miano/Staff Photographer)
04
Free Summer Concerts and Entertainment
Published by psauer, under Local Info. No Comments.
Glen Ellyn
Movie at the Lake
Friday, July 10 @ Dusk
Come out to Lake Ellyn and enjoy a movie for the entire family! The park district will be showing Madagascar 2, Escape Africa, one of 2008’s funny family movies! Concessions will be available for purchase, so bring some money.
http://www.gepark.org/new_events.htm
Summer Jazz in the Park
July 15 & August 19
7 pm-9 pm
Are you looking for a relaxing night out with wonderful music? Come listen to the Glen Ellyn Jazz Ensemble, a 16-member group playing a mix of your favorite Big Band tunes. The Jazz Ensemble has appeared at the Taste of Glen Ellyn, the Festival of the Arts, and other area events. Jazz in the park brings a touch of Ravinia to Glen Ellyn. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and picnic dinner.
http://www.gepark.org/new_events.htm
Wheaton
Summer Entertainment Series
Mondays at the Memorial Park Bandshell
7:30-8:30 p.m
http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/general/specialevents.html
Naperville
Concerts in Your Park
Summer music series geared toward families and neighborhoods throughout Naperville. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a FREE Sunday evening of musical entertainment from 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Ice cream will be available for purchase.
http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/c6d62036-4b03-47fb-8923-51633010cbc0.pdf
Warrenville
Concerts on the Commons
Wednesdays @ 7 pm
Located on the Bob Walters Commons (between Library and City Hall)
Pack a picnic, bring the family, enjoy the music
http://www.warrenville.com/programs/WPLDConcerts2009.pdf
30
Au pair stipend is increasing
Published by psauer, under Program Info. No Comments.
Currently, the weekly au pair stipend is $176.85 per week. Effective Friday, July 24th, 2009, the Au Pair Stipend will increase from $176.85 to $195.75 per week
The calculation used to determine the au pair stipend amount is a combination of the federal minimum wage as well as a room and board allowance. The exact calculation used to determine the weekly stipend is as follows:
Minimum wage amount x 45 hours - 40% (room and board allowance) = au pair stipend amount
As you may recall, all Cultural Care Au Pair literature and agreements stipulate that host families comply with all regulations. Therefore, adherence to these changes is required of all program participants.
21
A brand new website and special offer for new families
Published by psauer, under Program Info. No Comments.
To celebrate aupairvideos.com, we are offering new families a $350 application fee waiver and an additional $150 program fee discount for a total savings of $500! Host families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, apply by July 18, 2009 and welcome an au pair into their home by October 23.
If you have any questions about our program or you would like to take advantage of this special promotion please contact me.