HIGH NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN CHILDCARE

I read an article in the April 4th Salt Lake Tribune that caught my eye.  It talks about the growing demand of daycare for children in the United States.  It quoted the report, "Who's Minding the Kids?  Chldcare Arrangements:  Spring 2011" saying that during a typical week in spring 2011, 61% of all children under age 5 were in some type of regular child care arrangement.  I'm sure the number has increased in the last two years.

The national study also found that the preschool children of working mothers spent an average of 36 hours a week in childcare.  It continues that more older children (ages 5-14) now have some sort of adult supervision after school or in the evenings instead of staying home alone. 

As I read this article I thought about the kids being taken to daycare centers early in the mornings, most likely still in their pajamas, or the kids getting out of school and just wanting to go home and relax or change into their pajamas.  I thought of kids getting to their care centers and trying to find a quiet place to do homework, and wishing they had someone who could sit down with them individually, and listen to them read, or help them with a math question. 

I wonder how many of these children have someone who is waiting for them with open arms when they come home from school.  Someone who asks them how their day went, someone who cares about how their day went. 

Children get home from school with stories to tell, worries to express, jokes to share.  How many of these 61+ percent of children in childcare get one-on-one attention?

I wish that I could reach out to these families and tell them there is a great alternative to daycare.  That they can keep their children in the comforts of their own home with someone who is like an extended member of the family.  Someone who's entire focus is THEM. 

With the increased need to work outside the home, I can't think of a better childcare option than an au pair.  Hands down.

AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR CHINESE AU PAIRS

The world has become so global in the last several years that it has become increasingly important to expose our children to other cultures and languages.  Children who grow up understanding other cultures and who can communicate with people of other countries have so much more the advantage as they grow up and go into the real world to begin their careers.

China has become a huge global economic leader.  More and more we will see the need for people who speak Mandarin to be our business leaders, teachers, doctors, etc.  There will also be a need for people who understand the Chinese culture and way of life.  Without an understanding of the people you are working with, there can be misunderstandings and barriers.  A simple high school or college course is great, but what if your children could grow up with the language and culture right in their homes?  That is an advantage that cannot be replicated in any other way. 


Also, with so many families adopting little girls from China, it's no wonder that so many people are looking for a childcare provider that not only speaks Mandarin or Cantonese but can share the beautiful Chinese culture with their family in the process.

As people become aware of the advantages of finding childcare providers who can teach their children the Chinese culture and language, Go Au Pair is seeing a huge increase in demand for Chinese au pairs.

They have a large pool of applicants to choose from--many of which are infant qualified and/or have driver's licenses.  The average age for a Chinese au pair right now is 24, so you also get someone who is mature and ready for a cultural experience themselves.


Since there is such a great demand for Chinese au pairs, Go Au Pair has selected China to be the Featured Country for the month of April.  Families who match with an au pair this month will receive $100 off their program fees.  The embassy appointments are usually about 2 days out, so there is not a long wait time, which means people looking for someone to start before summer have plenty of time to select the au pair that best fits their families needs.

Pillsbury's Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe

I saw this recipe (on the Incredible Recipes FB page) and thought it looked like a fun, easy recipe for both au pairs and host families to try out.  It's fun for the kids, too!

 ☆.•♥•Pillsbury's Crescent Roll Taco Bake Recipe!.•♥•☆

2 crescent roll tubes
1 LB ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce
1 or 2 diced tomatoes depending on size
1/2 small can sliced olives if desired
Sour cream optional
sliced avacado optional

Lay out the two tubes of crescent pastry, thick sides in. Use some of the left over crescent rolls to to make the center a bit thicker.
Brown beef and add taco seasoning.
Lay beef in a circle inside of the laid out crescent rolls
Add cheese to the top
Pull over crescent rolls and tuck in under meat and cheese.
Add cheese, lettuce, tomato, black olives, sour cream or whatever you desire for your tacos, in the middle.

Follow cook time on the pack of crescent rolls, and once it's done, you're good to go!

Happy Women's Day!

Although it is spoken here in the US, Women's Day just doesn't seem to have the same significance as it does internationally.  I remember when I went to live in Italy.  I had been there only a day or two when I discovered how big Women's Day really is in other countries.  There were street vendors selling flowers, chocolates, balloons, etc all over the place.  It was like Valentines day all over again!   I have to admit I had no idea what they were celebrating.  I had to ask.  People couldn't believe I didn't know.

So, a suggestion to host families and Local Area Representatives: take a moment to recognize your au pair and do something special for her (a flower, a box of chocolates, a phone call or email, etc)--it will mean so much to her!

Featured Country for March is Mexico!

For the month of March families who match with a Mexican au pair will receive $100 off of their program fees.  Au Pairs from Mexico are a great option if you are looking for someone bi-lingual in Spanish/English.  Also, most au pairs from Mexico have experience cooking for children, enjoy music and dancing, and have hundreds of hours of childcare experience with infants.

Embassy wait times are very quick in Mexico--usually about 1 day.  So, if you need an au pair right away, I recommend you take a look at the Mexican candidates to see if one would fit your families needs.

Au Pair and Host Family Taxes

With the tax season here, whether you are a host family or an au pair you may have questions about paying taxes.  The following URL will direct you to the IRS website that outlines the au pair program tax requirements:  http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96420,00.html.

Go Au Pair is not licensed to give tax advice, so you should consult with a tax professional, however some helpful information can be found on Go Au Pair's website.

Your Placement Coordinator can also provide you with a letter from Go Au Pair that highlights some of the frequently asked questions--and gives the answers given directly from the IRS website given above.

Cabin Fever

I often wonder how children are able to spend every day stuck inside of a daycare center or in home daycare--where the caretakers are unable to take them out--without getting a bad case of cabin fever! 

I had a friend who cared for children at home and she complained to me that because she had various children from different parents who had different requirements and needs for their children, she was unable to go anywhere during the day.  She even had some parents who requested she not take her children anywhere--not even the park!  So, that left every other child she cared for stuck in the house with no outdoor time and no opportunity to explore and learn.

Then, you look at daycare centers.  They are unable to take the children on daily trips to the library, museums, malls, parks, etc.  It's just not feasable with the number of children they have and the different times they are coming and going, etc. 

So, here again, I go back to boasting about what a great childcare option having an au pair can be.  You don't have to worry about what other parents want, the au pair is there for YOUR FAMILY and only your family.  You don't have to worry about the few times a daycare center does take your kids out and have to wonder if there are sufficient adults to manage all the children--and if your child will stay with the group or get lost.  The au pair would responsible for YOUR CHILD(REN), and only YOUR CHILD(REN). 

I just read an article on babycenter.com about how important fresh air is for children and the importance of everyday outdoor time that will help build their sensory stimulation (the birds, the sun, the dirt) that can't be replicated indoors.  When you have an au pair, you run the show.  If you want your children to have outdoor time, museum time, library time, etc.  You tell her!  She'll make sure it's done.  I love that!  What a unique opportunity for your children to learn and to grow. 

Congratulations to the 2013 Au Pair in Excellence Winner!

Each year Go Au Pair invites families to nominate their au pair for theAu Pair in Excellence Award.  Host Families write nomination letters telling Go Au Pair why their au pair deserves to be recognized.  This year the winner is Phila Sozomblile.  You can read the families' letter here. Congratulations, Phila!!

Karla Lacomba was the runner up.  You can read Karla and the other nominees lettters on Go Au Pair's website:  http://www.goaupair.com/Host-Families/Choose-Go-Au-Pair/Award-Winning-Au-Pairs/2013-Au-Pair-in-Excellence. 

It's so fun to read the experiences families are having as well as see that each family has a unique situation that makes having an au pair such a great childcare option.  The quality of au pairs coming to care for children is apparent in the words of love an appreciation that each host family expressed in their letters.  It makes it such an honor to work with these wonderful young adults.

South African Au Pairs--February Feature!

Now is a great time to look at the au pair program if you are interested in a Native English speaking au pair.  Ilona (pictured above) is one of the South African au pairs who are currently available.

For the month of February, if you match with an au pair from South Africa you get a $100 off our program fees.

Check out the South African Au Pairs page at http://www.goaupair.com/Host-Families/Available-Au-Pairs/Featured-Country to see bios of our available South African au pairs.

New to the Area

It never fails, I am always finding new reasons as to why an au pair is such a great childcare option.  I recently moved to a new city.  I no longer live near my friends that I could call on for childcare help. 

Whether you stay at home, work outside the home, are married, or single, there are so many things an au pair could do to help out during and after a move. In addition to the obvious things (such as watching the children while you pack) here are a few others to consider:



--You have a long list of to-do's when you move (find a home, research then register kids for school, set up utilities, pack, unpack, etc).  How nice not to have to research daycare centers or other childcare options in the middle of all that choas!


--I went to apply for my new State License and to register my car.  Have you ever done that with kids in tow?  Not fun.  Then they tell me I have to take a written test and cannot have my children with me while I take it.  Not so easy to find someone to watch the kids when you don't know anyone.

--Date nights--it takes time to get to know people--especially that you feel comfortable enough to leave your children in their care.

Infant Care

If you're like me, you are protective over your infant.  I won't let just anyone take care of my sweet baby.  I need to be sure that they have experience with babies and that they feel comfortable taking care of them.  It's a lot different to take care of a 5 year old compared to a 5 month old.

That's why I think it's such a relief to parents that not only can they choose the au pair with the experience that meets their specific needs, but the Department of State goes one step farther in requiring that all children under age 2 can only be matched with an au pair with a minimum of 200 hours of care for children under 2--and it cannot be an infant that they are related to.  So, when host families are looking at applications, they know that the applicants they are reviewing have already been screened and have the infant experience they need.

New York Workshop 2013 Dates

Go Au Pair has just announced their dates for 2013's New York Workshop.  Host Families interested in having their au pair attend this training should keep these dates in mind when planning on your au pair's arrival.

January 14-17      
February 4-7        
March 4-7              
April 15-18                 
May 6-9                  
May 20-23              
June 3-6                
June 17-20            
July 8-11              
July 22-25              
August 5-8            
August 19-22        
September 9-12    
September 23-26  
October 14-17      
November 11-14  
December 9-12

Excellent Childcare for Special Needs Children

Do you need childcare for a child with special needs? Do you want them to have the care they need, while being given one on one attention? Au Pair are able to work with children with special needs.  In fact, the IAPA Au Pair of the Year was awarded to one of Go Au Pair's fabulous au pairs--Mariela Poveda.  She cared for a special needs girl and did an outstanding job-in fact she went above and beyond what any normal childcare provider would do.  See her video above.

Here's a few things that may help you consider the au pair route:

-Parents form close relationship with Au Pair, work as a team to raise child/children
-Can care for your special needs child exactly as you train them to
-One-on-one care, safely in home environment
-If multiple kids, allows you to spend precious time with your special needs child and/or with the other children
-Au Pair can take your child to therapy or doctor appointments, or stay with the other children while you go
-More focus on quality time with your child vs. doing tasks like laundry / cleaning
-Coverage for personal time (shopping, exercise, hobbies, date night)
-Less crazy mornings, can relax in evenings
-Giving your kids quality child care plus unique cultural exchange exposure, broaden your kids' horizons,  learn foreign language, language exposure for overall increased creativity
-Big sister or big brother, part of the family, like a year-long sleepover with best friend, fun!
-Flexible schedules, in home convenience
-Consistency for you and child(ren), because most placements are one year long or more

Although Au Pairs are not trained / registered nurses nor medically qualified, MANY Au Pairs are interested in working with / learning about special needs. They may want the experience for themselves, for a career, or for future education. You can learn more during the matching process when you choose your Au Pair.

Craft Challenge--Au Pair Sis

Au Pair Sis did a fun Craft Challenge on Pintrist and posted in on Facebook. For some reason the blog is not allowing me to post pictures right now, so you'll have to go to the Pintrist link to see an example of what rain sticks look like.

I bought a rain stick in Brazil several years ago, the kids love them!

Disciplining Children in America

The Au Pair Sis did a video clip and a blog on Disciplilng Children in America.  It's interesting to me because my mom and I were having a conversation about this not long ago.  As I've mentioned before, my mom is from Mexico.  She has been in the US for about 40 years, but still chuckles when mothers here (including my sisters and me) tell our children to look us in the eye when we are discipling them.  In Mexico that is very, very disrespectful.  When a child is being disciplined they are to look down, not at the adult disciplining them.  That is a sign of respect and submission. 

I guess this is a lesson to both us parents and au pairs--don't get offended or hurt when things are done differently.  Communication is key!  If you have questions or concerns about a discipline method or how the children/au pair are reacting, talk about it. It may just be a cultural difference.

ECUADOR--January Featured Country

For the month of January receive a $100 discount if you match with an au pair from Ecuador!

Au Pair of the Year Nominations Deadline is January 17th

Thursday, January 17th is the last day to nominate your au pair for the Annual IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award.  This award is given to one au pair and is chosen from au pairs nominated all around the world. 


Has your au pair been amazing this year?  Has she gone above and beyond?  Nominate her!!  Can you imagine what an honor it would be for your au pair to receive this prestigious award?

Also, there will be incentives to families chosen to highlight their au pair on their website. Click here to go to Go Au Pair's nomination page and learn more.

Tips for Host Families and Au Pairs

Check out this great list of advice from Host Families and Au Pairs!