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Blog Entry 1 of 6 Intercultural Childcare In Colorado Springs

As a Community Representative and Counselor of USAuPair for the past 5 years, it has been my pleasure and treasured experience to have known over forty host families and sixty au pairs in the Colorado Springs, Peyton, Tri-lakes and Southern Denver areas. (Au pair is a French term that means "on par" or equal to family members.) Families with child care needs host au pairs and add a new family member to their children's lives. Au pairs bring with them an enthusiasm of their culture and a wish to learn about American culture. Au pairs are young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 with child care experience. They are thoroughly screened and trained before they arrive to the host family. Host families are able to preview and choose from several qualified applicants that are from several participating countries. The au pair program is a wonderful child care solution for busy families with active children (ages 6 months. to 12 years.) Host families should be prepared to receive these young people into their homes as if they are a welcomed family member like a niece or a nephew. The children of host families benefit from the personal touch that cannot be provided in most child care facilities, and even elementary aged children have the benefit of a personal friend and tutor after school. The program is designed to offer a cultural exchange and a life-long friendship between the family members and the au pair.Interested or still curious? Visit our web site: www.usaupair.com

Blog Url: http://coloradosprings.yourhub.com/~MelodyNotes

Personal Intercultural Child Care

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Contributed by: Melody Logan on 10/20/2006

For about 5 years I have been involved with international au pairs who live with local families to help with their childcare needs. Families in the Colorado Springs, Tri-Lakes, Peyton, and South Denver areas receive up to 45 hours of child care each week for a total of approximately $250 per week. "Au pair" is a French term that means "on par" or equal to family members. This translates to au pairs being treated like a niece or nephew while they live with their host famlies. Au pairs (both male and female between the ages of 18 & 26) are brought to the San Francisco to participate in a 3.5 day workshop on child safety and development before joining their families. After the workshop, they travel to their assigned host family. Au pairs come to the US on a J-1 cultural and education visa. The visa is issued for 12 months. Some au pairs may be allowed to extend up to a year after their initial program year ends. Families review and select their au pair from several program qualified applicants. As a counselor I meet and screen families interested in the program. I orient the families and au pairs (upon their arrival) to the regulations, policies, procedures and cultural challenges of the program, and then monitor the participants monthly throughout the program year. The benefits of this program include personal care for the children at home for busy working parents, plus a "big brother/sister" for the children. Realistic expectations about integrating cultural differences, lifestyles, behaviors and communication are key to the success of this program. Website: www.usaupair.com

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