Host Mom Bday

Will.I.Am, Me, Carol and Lorruama (Au Pair from Brazil)

Hi there!

I haven't been posting lately, so busy working on my Master's!
Last week we celebrated Carol's, one of my Host Mom's birthday. We went to Drais and met Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas, some of other Au Pairs came too.

It was a great opportunity to hang out with the Host family and au pairs and Au Pairs, making a nice meeting!

Au Pair responsabilities

Responsibilities beyond childcare…

Hi there,
Many people ask me about what;s the Au Pair's responsabilities around the house, so here it is:

While the primary responsibility of Au Pairs is to care for your children, Au Pairs can also help with “light household chores”. Beyond an expectation for a program that is focused on childcare, it is also a U.S. Department of State regulation that host families abide by when joining the program. Let’s define what “light household chores” are and what tasks au pairs can or can’t do.

An Au Pair can:


■Pack up the children’s school bags in the morning
■Empty the dishwasher
■Help to take the trash out
■Prepare meals (breakfast, lunch (boxes), snacks and help with dinners if they are still on duty)
■Pick up and sweep main family area after meals or play
■Pick up toys, organize the children’s belongings and keeping main areas clean
■Wash/ dry/ put away the children’s laundry
■Drive the children to different activites, to/ from school
■Help with anything related to the children during their assigned working hours


An Au Pair can not:

■Clean the whole house
■Scrub the toilets/ clean all the bathrooms
■Provide house maintenance or make repairs
■Wash the parent’s laundry or clean/ pick up their room
■Be the chef and be responsible for all meals, and not beyond their working hours
■Be the maid… they main focus is childcare
■Work beyond the 45 hours per week/ 10 hours per day, which include both childcare and chores

However, as a part of the family, Au Pairs are expected to also help according to the common sense of a good “roommate”. So for example, if they are off duty but eat dinner with your family, they will help you and the kids getting the table ready and putting the dishes away.
Additionally, they are also responsible for cleaning their own room (and bathroom if they have their own), washing their own linens, clothes, shopping for their own toiletries, etc.

Extension Au Pairs, Visa and Travel

Extension Au Pairs, Visas and Travel


Regarding legality, as long as your Au Pair’s extension has been approved through an official agency (one of the 12), she is legal to stay and ‘work’ for you until the end of her or his extension. From the standpoint of the US, she’s legal if we say she’s legal.

However, to travel outside the US with the ability to return to the US, your Au Pair has to have a legal visa issued by her own country. If her home country visa expires before the end of her extension year (which it likely does) she will probably not be able to travel outside the US and then return.

Travel: Visas and Extension Au Pair

If you have been granted a program extension for 6, 9 or 12 months, this means that you are legally allowed to remain in the United States for up to an additional 12 months to continue on the Au Pair. An extension of stay is for continued participation in the au pair program. However, the J-1 visa in your passport is at most a one-year visa. This means that during your program extension, it is likely that your visa will have expired. For the most part, you need a valid visa to enter the United States, and you therefore should not travel outside the country during your extension year.

Both sites advise that, although an extension au pair can travel to her home country, get a visa, and then return for her / his remaining (extension) time, there is no guarantee that her or his home country will extend the visa. If your Au Pairtravels home and can’t renew her visa– you lose out.

Your Au Pair can go home while her current home country visa is valid, apply for an extension, and return with or without a home country extension as long as her current home country visa is valid. That means, she can travel home during month 10 to try to get an early renewal, and still be able to come back (supposedly).

Remember, our advice here is based on experience– don’t count on this advice being completely accurate and timely.

Call goAUPAIR for the full details before you decide.

Readers, any additional advice to share?

Driver's License

Hi there,

I always advise my Au Pairs to get the state Driver's Liscence. In California scpecially for insurance purposes and also, to use as an ID, so you guys don't have to carry your passaport everywhere (not recommended!)

To get a DL is not that hard or expensive, the Au Pair needs first of all get a Social Security Card (go to the website http://www.ssa.gov and fill out the application priory to go to their office), once you have that in hand (it takes 2 weeks usually), you can go to the DMV and get a handbook to study for your test and also go online to your DMC website and make an apponitment to make things easier. Au Pair's can take up to 3 times the test in the same day (if needed), then once you pass, schedule the behind the wheel test and you shoould be all set!!! Take one step at the time and things are not that complicated!!!!

Here's some tips:


7 Ways to help your Au Pair get a US driver’s license


There are a few things that you can do as a host parent to make the licensing process easier on your Au Pair.


1. First, get a copy of your state driving regulations in your Au Pair’s native language as well as in English. Many states have manuals in several languages that can be downloaded at home, and some have even more manuals in more languages at the actual office.

2. Use your state’s DMV website — often they have practice written tests that people can use online to test their knowledge and improve their comfort with the material. And, the DMV will have descriptions of the actual road test too, so your au pair can think about what will be expected of him.her.

3. Call ahead to see if s/he can take the test in her own language. Not that s/he shouldn’t also read and learn the rules in English too, but taking the written test in your native language may reduce some of the stress.

4. Make sure that you take all of the documents required. Check on line for the list of what’s allowed, take all of them and a few extra ones too.

5. Make sure that your own car is up to date with registration, inspections, headlights, and a current insurance card. Send your au pair to take the test in a car that will pass!

6. I tend to be a hands-off host mom, but I’ve learned that it’s better to go with your Au Pair to the DMV when she goes to take her written test. Someone at our local DMV does not understand that a J1 working visa is different from a student visa, and has turned away more than one au pair who didn’t have a school transcript with her. It’s worthwhile to have a native English speaker there to explain the visa requirements so au pairs don’t have to stand in line for hours multiple times only to be turned away.

7. And, finally, my personal tip: Once you Au Pair gets his or her license, take your Au Pair and the kids out for ice cream. It’s important to celebrate! Plus, if the kids get ice cream after their shots, then surely your Au Pair should get ice cream after getting a US license!

Any other tips?

School Starts!

Hi There!

Can't you believe that summer is almost over again?? Oh well, time to go back to school again.

For many international Host Families, with summer being the arrival season for most Au Pairs (particularly European and Central American), their au pair may have arrived in the middle of family vacations, summer camps and other activities planned for the children. Although it is a great time for the Au Pair to get to know the family and feel comfortable with caring for the children, the transition back to the school routine will affect him/ her too. It will be important for host parents to take the time to set expectations and train them for the transition.

The Au Pair can help with homework, crafts and planning a back-to-school party.

Setting Expectations
Host Parents can explain what a normal routine is like, explain the typical schedule, household chores required while the kids are at school (and while the Au Pair cares for a pre-schooler possibly) and how the children’s school normally functions. Especially with dual-working parents, the Au Pair may be the main point of contact between the school teachers and the parents, so it is important to explain the level of communication usually expected when dropping off/ picking up the children. Most importantly, parents may clarify that the school-year does not mean less work for the Au Pair, but simply an adjustment to a different schedule and maybe some evenings if additional hours are available.

School Reconnaissance

Keeping in mind that their local school system may differ greatly from their au pair’s home country or another State, it is important for Host Parents not to take anything for granted. During school orientation, the au pair can familiarize herself with the school location, access, meet the teachers, understand homework requirements and the types of materials and projects the kids will be expected to review and complete. It is also important for the teacher to understand the type of help that is available to support their students after school, especially with a second language they may be learning this year.

The Au Pair’s training should also include locating the bus stop or which way she will need to accompany the kids by foot, or drive them to school. Especially with heavy traffic, safety will remain the focus of that training, whether behind a wheel or around a bus. The children should come along and also understand they need to remain very cautious around vehicles and crossing streets.

Hope you guys enjoy the last few days of summer....

goAUPAIR Customer Service

Hi!

I'm so proud that I got a good comment last week on my job, it was posted on our LAR weekly email and here's:

Ana Julia Stone, Long Beach, CA- We received this from a host family- "I already had the chance to speak with our LAR, Julia Stone, and again am very impressed with everyone at gAP's knowledge and helpfulness - what a welcome change!" Great job Ana Julia! A Local Area Representative can often be a deciding factor on which agency a family goes with!


More and more I hear HOST FAMILIES and Au Pairs bragging about how good goAUPAIR customer services are. I believe thats one of our strenghts. We take things very seriously and its important to us give a good service to our clients.

Go goAUPAIR!

US Open Surf 2010

Hi there,

Me and my Au Pairs went to US Open surf in Huntington Beach last weekend. It's a surf event that heappens every year, where they had surf competition (with surfers from around the globe), live concerts, this year we experienced Weezer and other activities.

Im so glad the girls were excited to come to the event, we had a true american bbq at the beach and time to get to know each other. Since the Au Pairs just got here few weeks ago and still dont have lots of friends, I inveted them to a sleepover and took them to Promanade in Santa Monica, where they experience more summer in SoCal.

As a LAR, I organize meetings trhoughout the year and the Au Pairs are require to attend at least 4 of them. I try to make it fun!!




Lorru (from Brazil), Kristina (from Germany) and ME

If you wanna know more about au pair program or how to become a host family please go to goAUPAIR

Social Activity

Carol (host mom), Me and my husband

Hello!
I've been very busy with my LAR duties this month, wich I'm pretty happy about it!=)
We have 2 new AU PAIRS on our cluster and I got to meet and hang out with them. I'm they are placed with awsome host families!
We also have a new HOST FAMILY waiting for a placement in the area, so our group is getting bigger!
As a LAR for goAUPAIR, I organize meetings once now and then with my au pairs, as a requirement for the program and we have fun as well.
I grew really close to my families and AU PAIRS, they are great! This week, one of the host father was debuting a comedy show and I was there to support! I was literally fun!
Also, sad to say, but one of the au pairs Anna is leaving next week, so her family is throwing a go away party for her. One more activity for us!
See you guys there!

If you want more information about the au pair program or how to became a host family go to: goAUPAIR

Important information about the year with an au pair

We have 2 new Au Pairs arriving this week, so I thought this post would be nice! Here's some important info!

We have a new host family in the area too, the group is getting bigger! Ya!


During Your Year With An Au Pair

Arrival
Your Au Pairs arrival is an exciting time for everyone. This section is to help prepare you for the first few days your Au Pair is in your home.

When your Au Pair arrives, keep in mind that she has just finished a very long international flight and is jet lagged. It is normal for Au Pairs to be very tired for the first few days while they are adjusting to the new time.

An adult must be present in the home for 3 days following the Au Pair's arrival to allow time for adjustment and to instruct the Au Pair on responsibilities and schedules.
When you are scheduling your Au Pair's arrival, you will need to keep in mind that someone must be present for her first 3 days.

Your Au Pair will need to call her family to let them know that she has arrived safely. To avoid a large phone bill, help the Au Pair use an international calling card.

goAUPAIR will mail your Au Pair a Welcome Packet shortly after she arrives. This packet will contain general program information as well as her insurance card and a list of Au Pairs in your area. Encourage your Au Pair to meet Au Pairs in your area so she is able to make new friends.

Most Au Pairs will experience some form of culture shock when they arrive in the U.S. Culture shock is a period of adjustment to a new surrounding and most Au Pairs will follow this cycle:

Arrival excitement. Some people refer to this as the "tourist phase" because everything will be new and exciting, and Au Pairs will want to experience it all at once.
Fatigue. After the initial excitement, Au Pairs may begin to notice all of the cultural differences and may feel homesick. Physical and mental exhaustion are common in this stage but the first step to moving on is understanding this cycle.
Initial Adjustment. In this phase, the Au Pair is overcoming fatigue cycle and is beginning to adjust to life in a new country. Au Pairs in this stage are beginning to feel more comfortable with the new surroundings.
True Adjustment. This final phase occurs when an Au Pairs has fully acclimated to the U.S.



Orientation
During the first 2 weeks of your Au Pairs arrival, your Local Area Representative will schedule an orientation in your home. The orientation is an important part of the program and its completion is required.

The Au Pairs and at least one host parent must be present for the orientation. The topics discussed during the orientation include:

Au Pair's responsibilities
Schedules
Stipend
Host Family specific child care requirements
House rules
General conduct
Education
Department of State regulations
Problem resolution

Your Local Area Representative will be able to answer any specific questions for you, so use the orientation as a guideline for your year. In addition to the orientation, you will want to schedule a meeting each week with your Au Pair so that you can review her performance, discuss any issues that have come up and provide her with a schedule for the next week.


Support
While you may contact your Local Area Representative any time, your Local Area Representative will contact you and your Au Pair every month to ensure your program is going well. You will also receive quarterly communication and information on any program updates from the goAUPAIR corporate office throughout your year.

goAUPAIR also provides Host Families and Au Pairs support during the year in the event of any problems. If a problem arises between a Host Family and Au Pair, it is important that certain steps are taken. goAUPAIR has developed a grievance procedure based on our 20 years of experience placing Au Pairs. Families and Au Pairs agree to follow these three steps in the event of a problem:

Discuss the problem within the home. Based on our experience we have found that many Au Pairs and Host Families are not aware there is a problem until it is brought to the other party's attention. It is important to communicate with your Au Pais and discuss any problems or misunderstandings you have to help build a strong relationship.
Discuss the problem with your Local Area Representative. Your Local Area Representative is a valuable resource because she is able to provide advice and mediation as needed to help you and your Au Pair resolve any issues.
Discuss the problem with your Placement Coordinator. Your Placement Coordinator works with other families and Au Pairs in the U.S. and is often able to provide a unique insight on different situations.
In the event a problem arises that cannot be resolved through the grievance procedures, a refund or replacement option is available to you as part of goAUPAIR's Flexible Choice Program.



Travel
Au Pairs are allowed to travel freely within the U.S. and may travel internationally during their first year. Au Pairs will need to send their DS-2019 form into goAUPAIR's corporate office for travel validation prior to leaving the U.S.

If you plan to take your Au Pairs on a vacation with your family, keep in mind that travel restrictions for U.S. citizens will be different than those for your Au Pair. Au Pairs will need to check with the embassy of the country they are travelling to see if they will need a visa.


Social Security
Social Security numbers are not required for Au Pairs to participate in the program, but in order to receive a U.S. driver’s license or a bank account, Au Pairs will need to apply for a non-working Social Security number.

Au Pairs will need to apply at their local Social Security office. Some of the offices will require an appointment to be made, so call ahead to be sure. Your Au Pair will need to take her passport with visa, DS-2019 and I-94 card. The I-94 card is given to the Au Pair during her flight to the U.S. This is a white card that shows legal entry into the U.S. and is often stapled to the passport by Customs.

The Social Security office will need to verify the Au Pair's visa status and this cannot be done during the first 10 days in the United States. Your Local Area Representative will be available to guide you through the entire process.


Taxes
While goAUPAIR is not able to provide tax advice to Host Families and Au Pairs, we have been provided information regarding Au Pair taxes by the IRS. This letter is included in each Au Pair’s Welcome Packet which is sent out when the Au Pair arrives.

Many Host Families will use the program fees paid to goAUPAIR for their child care tax credit or child care flexible spending account. goAUPAIR is happy to provide you with the necessary invoices and tax ID.

Au Pair Arrival

Hi there!

I have two au pairs arriving next week, so decided to post about the arrival!


Preparing for Arrival

DS-2019 Form
After the match has been made and the final documents are received, goAUPAIR will issue the DS-2019 form, which is goAuPair's sponsorship of the Au Pair's visa. This form is required to make an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in the Au Pair's home country. When the embassy approves the visa for the Au Pair, they will record the approval on the Au Pair's DS-2019 form. Au Pairs are required to present the DS-2019 containing the embassy approval at customs when entering the U.S.

Au Paisr must keep their DS-2019 form throughout their stay in the U.S. as this form is needed for obtaining a bank account, social security card, driver's license and for international travel.
Embassy Interview
Each Au Pair will need to be interviewed by a consulate at the U.S. embassy in their home country to obtain the required visa to enter the U.S. Au Pairs will schedule a time to visit the embassy for an interview. The actual interview is only a few minutes long and the Au Pair is told immediately if she is approved. The International Representative in the Au Pair's home country will help facilitate the embassy appointment and prepare the Au Pair for the interview. Your Placement Coordinator will work with the International Representative and provide you with updates throughout the process.



Live Training
While each Au Pair receives 32 hours of child safety and development training before entering the U.S., goAuPair offers a live training class, held in New York, each month. This training focuses on the cultural aspects of the program and helps the Au Pairs prepare for the year ahead. Au Pairs also become CPR and First Aid certified through the American Heart Association during live training. There is no additional cost for your Au Pair to attend the training.

Your Placement Coordinator will review the dates available for our New York training.


Flights
goAuPair is the only Au Pair agency that books each Au Pair flight individually instead of having fixed arrival dates each month. That means that goAUPAIR can tailor your Au Pair's arrival to your schedule as much as possible.

Soccer Game with host family

Hi people!

Just wanted to update the blog, 'cause we had a very special meeting on the weekend! Me and Quiroga's family went to a soccer game. They're Au Pair is arriving on july 15th,but we already grew pretty close.
In the first pic: Kai, me and Kaleo
Second pic: me and Carol (host mom)

We, LAR's, do meetings every other month with the Au Pairs, as part of the program, we also, have a family day meeting, where families and au pairs can all share some fun together.

If you wanna know more about Au Pair program, go to :goAUPAIR

LAR Responsabilities

Hi there!

People always ask me aboout what exaclty a LAR does, so, here's an idea what we are here for.

LAR Responsibilities


goAUPAIR®'s support network of Local Area Representatives (L.A.R.'s)
Wherever goAUPAIR® has host families, we have our network of Local Area Representatives to support our au pairs during their one-year stay in the United States.

Local Area Representative's provide support to host families and au pairs by:

Calling to introduce themselves to every Au Pair within 48 hours of her/his arrival at the family's home.
Arranging an orientation with the host family and au pair meeting within two weeks of arrival. This orientation is designed to help both parties establish a good working relationship, to explain cultural differences the au pair may face, and to acquaint her/him with the area.
Showing her/him how to open a local bank account.
Telling the au pair how to obtain a driver's license for the state you're in.
Explaining what unique educational opportunities exist in your area and how she/he can take advantage of them.
Introducing the au pair to other Au Pairs living in your area. This will help her/him start her/his experience in the United States with a circle of friends from many different parts of the world, friendships that may last a lifetime!
Contacting each host family and aupair monthly to make sure everything is going well.
Arranging Au Pair group activities throughout the year. These activities are planned to help the au pair make friends with other au pairs and to build a good relationship with the Local Area Representative.

Health Insurance

I've been getting questions about Health Insurance so decided to post something about it!


Insurance For Your AU PAIR

Health Insurance
A portion of your program fees are used to provide health insurance for your AU PAIR. All Au Pairs receive basic coverage during their year. If you choose to extend with your Au Pair her health insurance will be renewed for the second year. Au Pairs will have the option to upgrade their insurance and information on this is sent to Au Pairs in their Welcome Packet, which is delivered when your AU PAIR arrives in the U.S.

The health insurance for Au Pairs is for 12 months only, which means that AU PAIRSstaying in the U.S. to travel for their 13th month will need to purchase an additional month or find other coverage during this time.

goAUPAIR's Insurance Advisor in the corporate office is available to answer any questions regarding coverage, claims and upgrades.

Placement Process

A lot of families asked me about the process, how does that work and the steps to follow. So here's some info!

Hope you guys have a spetacular week!

Au Pair Placement Process

Timing
From the time you apply until your Au Pair arrives is approximately 8 weeks on average. This amount will vary depending on how long it takes you to select an AUPAIR and the visa process. goAUPAIR does offer Short Term Placements for families who need childcare sooner.

Steps
The following steps outline the process of bringing an AUPAIR to your home.

1. The first step is to submit an application to goAUPAIR. Your application will include information that you may share with potential Au Pairs such as a typical schedule, house rules and pictures. You can also start your AUPAIR search first through goAUPAIR's free Au Pair Preview. The Au Pair Preview provides you with access to hundreds of our most qualified available Au Pairs. Start your AUPAIR search today.

2. After your application has been processed, your Placement Coordinator will review your preferences and qualifications you are looking for in an Au Pair and begin sending you AUPAIR files. These files are about 30 pages long and contain detailed information about each applicant. You will view the files through your Online Host Family Portal.

3. When you have found the right AUPAIR for your family you will offer her the position. Through goAUPAIR's Mutual Match program, we allow our Au Pairs to accept or decline a Host Family's offer. This allows families to make the best possible matches that are mutually accepted.

4. Once your match has been confirmed, your Placement Coordinator will begin the arrival process. goAUPAIR will issue the DS-2019 so your AUPAIR may visit the U.S. embassy in her home country for a visa interview. You will be contacted by goAUPAIR's Travel Coordinator who will discuss your flight preferences. goAUPAIR is the only U.S. agency that books each flight individually so that we may tailor your Au Pair's arrival to your schedule.


If you want more information, just give goAUPAIR a call: toll Free: 888.AUPAIR.1 (888.287.2471)

Au Pair and Host family mutual match

goAUPAIR developed the Mutual Match system based on our 20 years of experience to help Host Families find the best possible Au Pair for their needs.

Through the Mutual Match system, goAUPAIR does not set a limit on the number of Au Pair files that a Host Family can view. goAUPAIR will let you review as many as you need based on your preferences. While your Placement Coordinator will identify the candidates that meet your needs, you will be able to choose which Au Pair is the best match for your family.

Au Pair Preview
goAUPAIR's exclusive Au Pair Preview provides you instant access to our available Au Pairs! You can review profiles of hundreds of Au Pairs by creating your own custom searches based on your preferences including child care experience, nationality, languages spoken and more.

Start your Au Pair search today.

Placement Coordinator
Throughout the Mutual Match process, you will work with a dedicated Placement Coordinator who will review in detail your preferences and what you are looking for in an Au Pair. Your Placement Coordinator is responsible for only sending you Au Pair files which meet your qualifications.

All of the Au Pair files are reviewed online through goAUPAIR's online Host Family Portal. This portal is available for you to access 24/7 so that you may review Au Pair files when it is convenient for you.
Interviewing Au Pairs

Host Families conduct interviews with potential Au Pairs over the phone. When a family reviews an Au Pair's profile and is interested in speaking with her, they simply call for an interview. In order to help you make the most out of your interviews, your Placement Coordinator will provide you with detailed telephone tips that help you ask questions relevant to what you are looking for in an Au Pair. It is best to speak with an Au Pair multiple times before making a decision to ensure that you have found the best possible candidate.


As part of the interview process, you can request that parts of your application are sent to Au Pairs that you are interested in. This allows Au Pairs to learn about the responsibilities she will have and the rules you would like her to follow.



Making the Match
The final stage of the Mutual Match process comes when the actual match is made. When you have found the best fit for your family, you will offer that Au Pair the position. With Mutual Match, Au Pairs are given the choice to accept or decline an offer so that you are confident your Au Pair agrees to the match.

Program Au Pair Again

Hi there,
I pleased to introduce you guys to one more Au Pair program option! I know lots of girls that wanted to come to US again to be an au pair and lots of families that would love to host their au pair again! Here's the details:

Au Pair Again Program

Requirements
goAUPAIR is pleased to now offer the Au Pair Again program! This program allows former Au Pairs to return to the U.S. again with their original family or with a new one. Through the Au Pair Again program, Au Pairs must meet the following requirements:
Provide proof of successful completion of initial program, including the education requirement
Resided outside of the U.S. for at least 2 consecutive years following the initial program
Meet all of the Department of State requirements including the age restriction
Complete goAUPAIR's screening and training
Au Pairs may use a different agency than the one used in their initial program. Also, Au Pairs have the option to participate in a different program, such as EduCare, Plus or Premiere as an Au Pair Again.


Child care Responsibilities
Au Pair Again Au Pairs may care for children as young as 3 months old so long as they are not participating in the EduCare program. Au Pairs providing care for children under 2 years of age are required to provide documentation of at least 200 hours of experience caring for infants. Au Pairs may provide care for children up 18 years old.

Au Pairs are permitted to care for children with special needs provided they have prior experience, skills or training and the duties are clearly stated to the Au Pair prior to her arrival.
Education
Au Pairs participating in the Au Pair Again program are required to complete 6 credit hours of education at an accredited, post-secondary university during their first year or 12 hours if participating in the EduCare program. Au Pairs extending for a second year have an additional educational requirement.

If you wanna know more about it go to: goAUPAIR

Standard Au Pair

Hi there,
Hope everybody is doing great and getting ready for the long weekend once Monday it's Memorial Day.
Last time, I posted about EduCare au pair, but I have never mentioned about the AU PAIR, so here it goes:

Standard Au Pair Program
Requirements
Standart Au Pairis by far goAUPAIR's most popular child care program for both Host Families and AU PAIRS. Through the Standard program, AU PAIRS must meet the following requirements:
Between 18-26 years old
Speak English
Previous child care experience
High School graduate or equivalent
Complete goAUPAIR's screening and training.


Child care Responsibilities
Standard Au Pair may care for children as young as 3 months old. AU PAIRS providing care for children under 2 years of age are required to provide documentation of at least 200 hours of experience caring for infants. Au Pairs may provide care for children up 18 years old.

AU PAIRS are permitted to care for children with special needs provided they have prior experience, skills or training and the duties are clearly stated to the AU PAIR prior to her arrival.
Education
Standard Au Pair are required to complete 6 credit hours of education at an accredited, post-secondary university during their first year. AU PAIRS extending for a second year have an additional educational requirement.

If you wanna know more about it gor to goAUPAIR


Have a nice day!

EduCare

Hi there,
I just finished an interview with one of the families on my cluster, who is gonna host an EduCare Au Pair, I just would like to explain a little bit more about the differences of being/hosting and EduCare than a standart Au Pair. For families with school age kids and don't need the 45 hours/week, this is a great opportunity that goAUPAIR offers. Check it out the details below!

EduCare Au Pair Program
Requirements
Au Pairs participating in the EduCare program have the same requirements as Standard Au Pairs which includes the following:
Between 18-26 years old
Speak English
Previous child care experience
High School graduate or equivalent
Complete goAUPAIR screening and training.
Educare Au Pairs work 30 hours per week instead of 45, so their weekly stipend is lower than Standard Au Pair.



Child care Responsibilities
The EduCare program is designed for families with school-age children. EduCare Au Pairs are not permitted to care for children under the age of 2 even if they have experience caring for infants. EduCare Au Pairs may provide care for children up 18 years old.

EduCare Au Pairs are permitted to care for children with special needs provided they have prior experience, skills or training and the duties are clearly stated to the Au Pair prior to her arrival.
Education
EduCare Au Pairs complete 12 credit hours at an accredited post-secondary university during their year instead of 6. The contribution from Host Families is higher because of this. Au Pairs extending for a second year have an additional educational requirement.

If you wish to know more about the program, go to goAUPAIR

Have a nice day!

Last meeting...

Here's a pic from our last meeting. (Donna from Philipins, me, Caroline from Sweden and Anna from Germany).

We went to a Brazilian restaurant in Irvine to hang out. Anna brought her friend Caroline from Sweden.

As a LAR from goAUPAIR, I organize meettings with the AU PAIRS in my cluster every other month.

If you wanna know more about hosting an AU PAIR or how to become an AU PAIR, please go to goAUPAIR.

Preparing for new Au Pair

Hi there!

Once we are going to have 3 new au pairs arriving in the next few months, I decided to post Tips to preparing for the new AU PAIR.

The following suggestions have been formatted for your preparation in hosting your new AU PAIR. The more you prepare, the less miscommunication and misunderstanding
happens. Please read the following:
1. Your new au pair will want to investigate your area during her free time. Call your local colleges and high schools, Parks and Recreation department, libraries and
YMCA to receive their schedule of activities. If you have all of this information in
advance, it will help keep the au pair busy during the first few months when
homesickness is the strongest!

2. Have your AU PAIR take a CPR/Child Safety class. Even if the au pair has taken this in their home country, this is always important information to review. Parents should also take this class. Everyone should know what to do in case of an emergency.
Most classes usually last 3 hours and are well worth the time! Call your local Red
Cross office or Local Area Representative for further information.

3. It is important right from the start to avoid misunderstandings. Clearly explain your “philosophy” and practices on childcare. Example: how to handle a temper tantrum, trips or daily schedules. We strongly recommend that you obtain some kind of
notebook or small memo pad where you can jot all of this information down. This
way the au pair has something to refer to if she encounters a problem during the
day and you are unavailable. These situations will happen, and no matter how
competent the au pair is, she will forget details in the beginning. WRITE IT ALL
DOWN! (The daily schedule, allergies, household rules, etc.) The more you write
down, the better off you are. It will take some time, but you can use this notebook
over and over again. Start this notebook before the au pair arrives. If there is a
concern, the first question your local representative will ask is, “How long did you
spend training your au pair and do you have a notebook where things are stated
clearly?”

4. In this notebook, you may also want to keep track of the hours your AU PAIR works.
Working too many hours is a common complaint of au pairs. The more you keep
track of everything in writing, the less miscommunication will occur and there will be fewer questions. Remember, if there is a concern, the LAR will have to hear both sides of the story. The more evidence you have, i.e., schedule, etc., the faster the local representative can help to straighten
out the problem. Please speak to your Local Area Representative in depth about
your schedule. They will be able to help determine if the hours exceed the
maximum of 45, and if some other schedule arrangement is necessary.

5. Set aside the first few days after your AU PAIR arrives to let her get acclimated and recover from jet lag. Once the au pair is rested and ready, spend at least one week walking the au pair through your routine, as well as your local neighborhood. Be
patient, communicate constantly, and give lots of feedback. Let the au pair spend
some relaxed time with the children. The first few weeks will be an adjustment for
everyone.

6. In the beginning it may be wise to write down your concerns over specific instances. These issues, of course, are minor concerns that can wait a few days. Example:how to answer the telephone. Sit down with your au pair and go over what is
working well and what needs improvement. When discussing problems, try to find
some positive points on which to compliment your au pair. Problems of greater
importance, like child safety, should be discussed immediately. It may be wise to
wait a moment while you calm down before confronting the au pair. It is also a good
idea to have both parents talk to the au pair, as it reinforces the seriousness of the concern.

7. Sit down and devise a discipline code for your AU PAIR . This is IMPERATIVE to a
successful relationship between the au pair and your child. No child is angelic all of the time. There should be a time-out chair or discipline system for the au pair to
follow. Children should be aware of the consequences of misbehaving during time
spent with the au pair. Consistency is mandatory for both the au pair and parents
when disciplining children. Be sure you specifically discuss with the au pair how you
want and don’t want your child disciplined. Hitting is common in many European
countries. If you do not agree with this, make it clear to your au pair how you want
your children handled. This is a good topic to discuss with the au pairs as you are
doing initial interview calls as well.

8. If you are planning a vacation and want to take you AU PAIR, make it clear to the au pair in advance of your plans. Will they be working on this vacation? Make these
important points clear. If you do not want to take your au pair with you on vacation,
make this clear as well, as soon as you decide. Figure out if they are to take this
time as their vacation or do you want to pay them their week’s allowance? The
choice is up to you, just be sure to make you plans very clear. Be considerate and
give the au pair as much notice as possible so she can make adequate plans. This
is another good issue to discuss during the interview with potential AU PAIR.

9. It is a good idea to set a curfew during the workweek. This way you know your au
pair is well rested and can work well with your children the next day. Set this in
advance before the au pair arrives and discuss it during interviewing so that there
are no surprises. Once the au pair arrives and you are comfortable and find her
reliable, you can always change your rules or curfew, but start with lots of rules
FIRST. During the au pairs free weekend and days off we do not recommend any
type of curfew. This is their free time, but it is a good idea to know whom she is with and where she is going.

10.Visitors are another issue. Do you mind if a boyfriend or friend stays overnight? Set your rules before the au pair arrives! Many times people will visit from the au pair’s home country, such as parents, friends, or boyfriends. Do you mind a visitor in your house for 2 weeks? a night? Set your standards and let your au pair know what is possible and what is not. Do you want to be asked, notified, or is everything ok?
Discuss this during your interview if possible, again so there are no surprises. Write all of this information down as part of your household rules.

11.Smoking is an issue. Even if the au pair says he/she is a non-smoker, definitely ask about it in the interview. If you are against smoking, make this very clear in your interview. Set your rules in advance regarding visiting friends. Can they smoke in the house? Certain designated areas? Write all of this information down as part of
your household rules.

12.Make sure you have written clearly all emergency numbers that the au pair will need. Make sure that these numbers are updated and legible. You should go over all of
these numbers with the au pair. Also, explain how you would like the telephone
answered and how you would like your messages to be taken.

13. It is a good idea to get a bulletin or corkboard to hang in the au pair’s room, or another room that you use often. Hang your schedule and upcoming events here,
as well as any other important information.

14.Label all medicines if the children take them. Go through how appliances and
machinery in your home work, especially washing machines and child safety
gadgets. Many European countries have different machines and gadgets and the au
pair will not know how to use them. Discuss household products and different foods
as well.

15.Your child may have strange pet names for toys or people. Make sure you go over
these differences in vocabulary with the au pair.
16.Europeans use the metric system. It is a good idea to find a conversion chart and
put it in the kitchen if the au pair is expected to cook.

17.Communicate constantly, especially in the beginning. Act as if the au pair knows
nothing. Being specific will eliminate miscommunication. If the au pair is quiet,
constantly ask if she is comfortable, if she has any questions, if she understands
you. There is nothing wrong in being persistent; these are your children.
Communication is the key to a good relationship. If there is a concern, there is a
great possibility that it involves communication, meaning, miscommunication, or not
enough communication. Keep this in mind during the first few weeks.

18.Car insurance – On the contract that you received from the Salt Lake office, there is a section about car accidents. If your au pair will be using your car and is involved in an accident, the au pair can pair can only be required to pay a maximum of $500.00 towards repairing the car. Please think about this beforehand and complete this section of the contract before you and the au pair sign it. How much do you think is feasible in case of an accident?

19.Make sure you review all exits and emergency routes in your home. Go over with
your AU PAIR. how to get the children out of the house in case of a fire or other
emergency. It is also a good idea to have a meeting place outside of the house
where all family members will meet in case the house is evacuated. Where should
the au pair take the children in case of a tornado or hurricane? It is also quite
common for new au pairs to get locked out once in a while, so be prepared.

20.Social Security Number – Once your AU PAIR arrives, it is wise to make a trip the first week of her arrival to get a temporary social security number. If your au pair obtains this number, she should not have any problems registering at a school and may
save some money with out-of-state charges. The temporary social security number
is good for one year and can be obtained at your local social security office. A
sponsorship letter can be obtained from your Local Area Representative.

By implementing these suggestions, chances are that you will have a successful and
memorable year with your au pair. Host families need to do some homework in
planning and training in order to have a good year and a great relationship. A live-in au pair is a give-and-take situation. There will be cultural differences and compromises. The more serious you are in planning before your au pair arrives, the fewer differences you will have along the way. Good Luck!

IF YOU WANNA HAVE MORE INFORMATION GO TO goAUPAIR

Household Rules-Tips for living with an Au Pair/host family

Hello!
Hope you guys are enjoying the weekend!

Today, I would like to talk a little bit about living with an AU PAIR . I was an au pair and now as a LAR, I really do know the importance of communication and creating some rules, that can avoid a lot of problems!

Prior to au pair arrival, both parts should communicate and talk about living situations, as au pairs and host families usually share different cultures, there would be shock of cultures and we don't need to make them a big deal! Differences of cultures can be actually fun!

I remember heappening with me on time: I come from Brazil and there, kids can have as many cookies and sugar as they want, here in the US, sugar for kids is really controled, so, if my host mom at the time didn't tell me about their diet, I would probably be giving the kids cookies and that could cause problems. The same with other food, because one of the kids were allergic to many things. So, see what I am talking about it?

Host families and au pairs: Don't be shy to ask as many questions as you want, even if you think it's silly! It's important and I encourage that. Try to learn more of each other, routines, preferences and hobbies, because you guys gonna be living together and sharing a lot!

Think about your lifestyle, what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable. Remember
past visitors or household members…what issues arose during their stay? What did
they do or not do that irritated you? That pleased you? Made things easier for you?
Commit your family ground rules to paper. Think about table manners, snacking,
personal hygiene, chores, telephone use and message taking, dealing with
disagreements, emotional upsets, etc.

a. Are certain topics forbidden at certain times or in front of the children?
b. How do you feel about smoking and drinking? In your home and elsewhere?
c. Are there limits on the use of television and stereo equipment? On noise
levels?

These are rules that apply to all persons in your household – you, your children, guests,
au pairs, visitors, and relatives. Write down your unwritten rules!

What guidelines are there for your au pair’s use of your home (and hers) in entertaining
friends during her free time?

a. Limits on numbers of people, where she should entertain them, how late, gender of
overnight guests?
b. Should she supply the refreshments or use your supplies?
c. Do you need advance notice or permission?
d. Can she have friends over while she is “working”? How long, who, when?
What are the rules for use of the car?
a. Must she ask each time or is it available for her to drive at certain times?
b. Are there limits on its use?
c. Can she drive into the city? (or out of the suburbs?)
d. Can the car be in the city past two a.m.?
e. Can she go outside of the metropolitan area?
f. Must she put in gas? If so, weekly, nightly, monthly?
g. Must she keep track of her miles?
h. Can she drive other people?
i. Are there special rules for when she is driving your children? Can she take them to
visit other au pairs and their charges?
What is the preferred form of discipline to use with your children?
a. Do they get time-outs, corner time, etc.?
b. What behaviors should she encourage and develop in your children?
c. Do your children have set schedules and routines you want maintained?
d. What are rules for television viewing by your children?
e. What are rules for television viewing by the au pair while “on duty”?
f. What amount of supervision do your children require in the house? In the yard?
g. Can your children go elsewhere to play? Under what conditions and restrictions?

What are the rules for use of the telephone? For the au pair? For your children?
a. Are there time limits?
b. Do you have more than one line, and are there restrictions on the use of either?
c. What about call waiting?
d. Explain any calling packages that you have. European service and billing is vastly
different.
e. Discuss emergency calls. Provide phone numbers for police, fire, doctors, hospitals,
and work numbers.

List of tasks and duties
a. Is she to get the children up, dressed, bathed, and fed in the morning?
b. Is there a timetable?
c. Must she be dressed and ready at a certain time herself?
d. Are there set morning routines?
e. Does she prepare lunches to take to school?
f. Is there a car pool? Who are the other drivers?
g. Is timeliness important?
h. What kind of breakfast do you want your children to eat?
i. What kind of lunches should be prepared?
j. What happens when the children don’t eat?
k. When and what types of snacks are to be offered?
l. Do the children have a set schedule?
m. How much and what kinds of television may they watch?
n. Is there an arts & crafts time set aside?
o. Do you want her to teach them to count in her language or sing nursery rhymes from
her homeland?
p. Are there therapies or exercises she must assist the children with?
q. Is she to read to them for a set time period each day?
r. Can they use crayons, clay, paints, etc.? Is she to take them to classes and attend
with them?
s. Should the children make their own beds?
t. When are their rooms to be picked up and by whom?
Clothing
a. Who chooses the clothes the children wear?
b. Must they be color coordinated?
c. Must socks match?
d. Can the children stay in their pajamas?
e. How often must diapers be changed or the child taken to the potty?
f. Who does the children’s laundry?
g. How often is it done?
h. Who polishes the shoes and mends the clothes?

Activities
a. Are there activities the au pair must drive the children to?
b. Does she stay there with them?
c. Must she walk the child to the room, or drop him/her off at the building?
d. Can younger children be left in the car or must they come along?
e. Are there any playgroups?
f. Can she form a playgroup with other au pairs or caregivers?
Outings
a. What kind of outings can she take the children on and when?
b. What limitations or restrictions are there?
c. What public parks or tot lots are safe and age-appropriate?
d. Is there a library story hour?
e. Do you have a museum or zoo pass?
f. What about toddle gym, swim lessons, or music classes?
g. Do you have a bicycle with a child safety seat for the au pair’s use?

Schedule
Schedule your au pair’s 45 hours (or less) per week in ADVANCE! When she arrives,
give her a written schedule for the first two weeks, thereafter, at least one week in
advance. Let her know what your dinner hours are and what family activities you have
planned. Designate her complete weekend off at the beginning of each month. Discuss
vacations, yours and hers, and schedule them. Schedule regular meetings with your au
pair to keep communication flowing. A short weekly meeting can provide a nonconfrontational
way to resolve small differences and keep channels of communication
open. Children can be included or excluded. When there is an at-home parent, written
schedules are absolutely essential so that both parties understand when the au pair is
on or off duty. Block out the time needed for the au pair while on duty or off. Block out
the time needed for the au pair to get to and attend the class she has enrolled in, and do NOT ask her to miss it or go late.

If you wanna know more about hosting an au pair go to:goAUPAIR

New au pairs!

Hi there,
I'm so excited to share this with you guys: We have 2 more families in our cluster, which means, 2 more au pairs arriving soon!!
I know one of the new au pairs it's a male au pair, the first one on our cluster too!
I'm really excited planning our family day this year, specially with the new adds!
We have an au pair from Brazil arriving on July! Yaaaay!
Sadly to say, but Anna from Germany is leaving on July too, she's finishing her year and planning on go back to school in Germany.
That's our cluster updates!

Hope you guys have a nice week!

If you wanna know more about the AU PAIR program fo to: www.goaupair.com

Find Avaliable Au Pair (http://www.goaupair.com/apavailable.aspx)

Hi there!
Hope you guys are enjoying the sunny weekend in the beautiful SoCal!

I'm here to let you guys know about this new tool to find au pairs.
You just have to go to: http://www.goaupair.com/apavailable.aspx and check it out the avaliable au pairs and some of their information fast and free! Isn't nice?

Thanks goAUPAIR!

Now, ig you have more questions about it, you can contact me at astone@goaupair.com or visit our website www.goaupair.com

Nice week to everybody!

Au Pair Extension

Hey there!
I would like to start this post welcoming Donna again!! Her extension starts in a few days!
Donna is an au pair from Philipins, who lives in Irvine and take care of 4 kids! She decided to stay for 9 more months!Congrats and hope you have a wonderful extension!!

Do you know that an au pair can extend for 6, 9 or 12 months?

For those who wants know more about it, contact me!
astone@goaupair.com

You guys have a great week!

If you wanna know more about the au pair program or have any question go to: http://www.goaupair.com

Meeting

Hi there!
Just wanted update, 'cause we had our meeting yesterday at Sprinkles in Newport Beach.
I just love my girls, they are sooo nice and we always have fun!
Even Myna, that moved to San Diego managed to come!!!!Thanks Myna!
Looking forward to see you guys next month!!
Here's a pic:
Anna, Donna, Me, Myna..and Fiona (my dog) joined us too!

School in the area

A lot of you have a bunch of questions about school. That start with which school should you attend, cost, how to enroll. It can be a little overwhelming when you are not familiar and dont know what do to, for that task, you have me, SUPER LAR!
I usually recommend the extension classes or continuing education for my girls, because attend an american college as an international student can be expensive! And we know the au pair's budget! For that, thats a lot of good options in the area, incluiding UCI, a great school in Irvine (I even attended)! Or that is some english school for adults for no cost too, some of them don't add on your credits for the program, but are definely great to improve your english and have a social experience.
Here a list of school in the area, you can take a look on the website and email me if you have some question.

Anaheim Adult Education School 714-999-5616 Anaheim http://adult.anaheimaltschools.org/

Compton Community College 310-900-1600 Compton http://www.compton.cc.ca.us

Glendale Community College 818-240-1000 Glendale http://www.glendale.edu

Huntington Beach Adult School 714-847-2873 Huntington Beach http://www.hbadultschool.com

Golden West College 714-892-7711 Huntington Beach http://gwc.info

University of West Los Angeles 310-342-5250 Inglewood http://www.uwla.edu

Westwood College 800-281-2978 Inglewood http://www.westwood.edu

Inglewood Community Adult School 310-330-5225 Inglewood http://inglewood.k12.ca.us

Irvine Valley College 949-451-5100 Irvine http://www.ivc.edu

University of California-Irvine 949-824-5011 Irvine http://www.uci.edu

Brooks College Long Beach http://www.brookscollege.edu

Long Beach School for Adults 562-595-8893 Long Beach http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us

Long Beach City College 562-938-4602 Long Beach http://www.lbcc.edu

California State University-Long Beach 562-985-4111 Long Beach http://www.csulb.edu

Foothill College 650-949-7777 Los Altos http://www.foothill.edu

CES College 213-381-5220 Los Angeles http://eduinla.com

California State University-Long Island 323-343-3000 Los Angeles http://www.calstatela.edu

DVS College 213-369-1470 Los Angeles http://www.dvscollege.com

Garfield Community Adult Ed 626-308-2747 Los Angeles http://www.alhambra.k12.ca.us/district/adulted.html

Hollywood Community Adult School 213-241-1000 Los Angeles
Los Angeles Southwest College 323-241-5225 Los Angeles http://www.lasc.edu

Jefferson Community Adult School 650-550-7890 Los Angeles http://www.juhsd.k12.ca.us/aed/index.htm

Jordan-Locke Community Adult School 323-567-7904 Los Angeles
Los Angeles City College 323-953-4000 Los Angeles http://www.lacitycollege.edu

Los Angeles Community Adult School 323-900-3500 Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University 310-338-2700 Los Angeles http://www.lmu.edu

Manual Arts-Crenshaw Community Adult School 323-846-3000 Los Angeles http://www.manualartscrenshawecc.org

Mount St Mary's College 310-954-4000 Los Angeles http://www.msmc.la.edu

Pacific States University 323-731-2383 Los Angeles http://www.psuca.edu

Roosevelt Community Adult School 323-780-6650 Los Angeles http://www.rooseveltadultschool.com

UCLA 310-8254321 Los Angeles http://www.ucla.edu

University of Southern California 213-740-2311 Los Angeles http://www.usc.edu

Venice Community Adult School 310-577-4230 Los Angeles http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Venice_CAS/

Westside Community Adult School 323-370-1040 Los Angeles http://www.westsideadultschool.org/

Wilson-Lincoln Community Adult School 323-441-4680 Los Angeles http://www.abraham-lincoln-hs.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=595&Itemid=1

Martinez Adult Education 925-228-3276 Martinez http://www.martinez-ed.org

Modesto Junior College 209-575-6498 Modesto http://mjc.yosemite.cc.ca.us/

Santa Ana College 714-564-6000 Santa Ana http://www.sac.edu

Kensington College 714-542-8086 Santa Ana http://www.kensingtoncollege.net

Santa Monica College 310-434-4000 Santa Monica http://www.smc.edu

Whittier Adult School 562-698-8121 Whittier http://www.whittieradultschool.k12.ca.us

Whittier College 562-907-4200 Whittier http://www.whittier.edu

My cluster

I have 3 au pairs in my cluster and we are expecting one more to join us during the summer! I also have 4 really nice host families!
My au pair are from: Malawi, Germany and Philipins and the new one is from Brazil (like me!).
What we do for meetings? Well, I usually ask my au pairs what they wanna do and we decide together. Usually something inexpensive though! But we always have fun sharing our experiences.
Host families are always welcome too! I'm planning next meeting in a couple of weeks at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach, I'll give more infrmation later!

Au Pair-What is this?

The term “au pair” was originally a French term meaning "equal to" which described the relationship a young woman had with a family. She lived on an equal basis and was treated as a member of the family. Today, “au pair” refers to either young men or young women from foreign countries who live with a Host Family while providing child care services in exchange for the opportunity to live in their country while learning the language and culture.

In 1989 the U.S. Department of State launched the Au Pair program through six designated agencies. goAUPAIR was one of these original six. Today, goAUPAIR represents families across the U.S. and works with agencies in over 50 countries around the world.

Requirements: Au Pairs
All Au Pairs must be between 18-26 years old when they first enter the U.S., have previous child care experience and speak English. In addition, all Au Pairs participating in the goAUPAIR program are required to complete a full application.

If you wanna know more about how to became an au pair or host family go to: www.goaupair.com