Tag Archives: childcare

Au Pairs do yoga

This month, we met at Together in Motion in Arlington to practice yoga together.  Au pairs seemed to have a good time doing so.

Afterwards, we had some time to chat and connect.  We said good-bye to Erika who is going back to Italy, and we welcomed Marketa from the Czech Republic.  It is nice to see how my au pairs use these meetings to connect with each other.  Au pairs also check in with me about issues that come up for them.

For more photos, go to Yoga 2015

Summer Safety

Summer Safety Tips Sun

During the summer months we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water.  Here are some good tips to share with your au pairs and host families.

  • Avoid long periods of sun exposure especially between 10.00am and 4.00pm
  • Apply sunscreen of at least  15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should be worn on sunny and cloudy days.
  • Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face
  • Stay hydrated, drink water throughout the day
  • Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels
  • Never leave children or animals in a car unattended.

  • Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Be very clear who is in charge.
  • When in the water there should be an adult at arms length from young children at all times
  • Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in the water
  • Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
  • Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
  • If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
  • Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm.

As well as the host parents’ numbers, au pairs should have the phone number of the community counselor and the Au Pair in America 800 number saved to their phones.  This way if you need assistance you can quickly and easily dial the number.  Please make sure you know what to do if there is an emergency situation while you are in charge of the children. This is a good time of year to review any family rules that apply to summer activities especially by the pool and while at the beach.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!

Au Pairs participate in yoga class

In March, we met at Together in Motion for a yoga class taught by me.  11 au pairs participated and we had a good class.

Afterwards, we gathered for some food and discussions.  Taxes were still a big topic as tax day is April 15, and we discussed that in detail.   We also had our quarterly childcare/safety meeting and discussed host family expectations with regard to electronics use and engaging children in activities.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures!

Au Pair Breakfast

This month we congregated at my house for a breakfast in my backyard.  We had a beautiful day with warm temperatures.

September is always a big cluster meeting.  Many new au pairs have arrived over the summer and everybody is home now after traveling over the summer.  It always is a good chance for the new and more seasoned au pairs to intermingle and get to know each other.  Many phone numbers were exchanged!   Some au pairs also brought their host kids who had a good time playing with each other in the backyard.

It was time for our quarterly childcare focus talk.  This time we read and talked about  “A Memorandum from a Child” which discusses constructive ways to interact constructively with children.

For more photos, please go to September 2013 breakfast.

Au Pairs from Boston area canoe in Concord

Canoeing group

Canoeing group

Our June cluster meeting last weekend in historic Concord was so much fun!  It  was such a beautiful summer day.  We joined two other clusters and over 30 au pairs participated.   We met at the South Bridge in Concord to rent canoes and kayaks.  Au pairs then rowed to the Old North Bridge where counselors welcomed them for a picnic.

The German crew

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the historic Old Manse, we gathered for our meeting.  At first, we held our childcare/safety meeting that we are required per State Department to have once every three months.   We talked about summer safety, which included sun exposure related safety, water safety rules and wearing the right protective gear for biking, skateboarding and rollerblading. 

 

We then broke off into our individual clusters.    Our group said good-bye to Stella, Cirstin and Sina, who are at the end of their au pair year and are going home to Germany soon.   They had a lot of advice for the newer arrivals.    We welcomed Camilla from Brazil who attended her first meeting.   

Enjoying cake, cookies and some fruit

Enjoying cake, cookies and some fruit

Bettinas group

Bettina's group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more photos of this meeting, please visit Canoeing 2012.

Au Pairs visit Prudential Center Skywalk

This month, we met another Boston area cluster for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk.  Au pairs enjoyed the view from the 50th floor despite the fact that it was cloudy. Au pairs also learned a lot about Boston by using the audio tour device and reading up on Boston facts.

Afterwards, we walked over to Vapiano restaurant in the theater district.   Counselors distributed a handout about spring activities, including child safety reminders.   Each quarter, counselors hold a childcare/safety meeting with au pairs in an effort to ensure good quality childcare for their host families.

View from the top

View from the top

For more photos of our meeting, go to Skywalk 2012.

Au Pairs present their countries

Au Pair in America brings the world together.  We bring au pairs from over 60 countries to US families who receive quality child care.  Au pairs also share their culture with their host families and people who come in contact with them.    We also offer a program called Global Awareness, and it gives au pairs the opportunity to share their culture in public settings like libraries or schools.

This week, my Swedish au pair Emma and my South African au pair Tracey came to St. Agnes School in Arlington center to present their country to kids in the classroom.  Emma went to the 5th grade, and Tracey to the 7th.    They both did an outstanding job and the kids learned a lot about Sweden and South Africa.

Emma presenting Sweden in the 5th grade

Tracey presenting South Africa in the 7th grade

Tracey presenting South Africa in the 7th grade

GREAT JOB, EMMA AND TRACEY!

Both au pairs receive a Global Awareness Certificate as well as a

Starbucks gift card.

For more photos please visit Global Awareness

Spring and Summer Safety

SPRING AND SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site (http://www.aap.org).

FUN IN THE SUN

Babies under 6 months:

  • Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands.

For Young Children:

  • Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

For Older Children:

  • The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
  • Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN

  • The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
  • At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
  • Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
  • Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.
  • Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

POOL SAFETY

  • Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
  • Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
  • Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
  • Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
  • Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
  • Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

BUG SAFETY

  • Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
  • Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
  • Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
  • To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
  • Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
  • Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks and mosquitoes, and can prevent Lyme Disease.
  • The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
  • The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.

BICYCLE SAFETY

  • Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.  Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
  • A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
  • A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards.  The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction.  If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.

SKATEBOARD AND SCOOTER SAFETY

  • Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
  • All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear.

Au Pairs Practice Yoga in Arlington Center

Yoga Group (missing participant: Sune)

Yoga Group (missing participant: Sune)

This month, I taught a yoga class to my pair cluster, which took place at The Arlington Center Yoga Studio in East Arlington.  For some au pairs, it was their first exposure to yoga.   Everybody seemed to enjoy the experience.

After the class, we enjoyed a good-bye cake for Saskia and Alicia who will be leaving us in June.    I congratulated them for their accomplishments, and they talked to the other au pairs about their experience as an au pair.  We also welcomed new au pair Evelina to our cluster.   Having access to a group of other au pairs who are sharing their experience and who might be a good resource for them has been a very valuable for my au pairs.

In an effort to ensure the best possible childcare for our host families, Au Pair in America counselors are required to hold a childcare/safety meeting with their au pair groups.  This month’s meeting included a discussion about spring and summer safety.  You can find the document under “Au Pair Info.”

To access the yoga group photo, please visit Yoga Group

2011 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

  • Where: 300 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
  • Date: April 30, 2011
  • Time: 11:00am–2:00pm

  • Local Au Pairs to participate in an International Cultural Fair at Boston Children’s Museum on April 30th On Saturday, April, 30th, au pairs from local families will host an International Children’s Cultural Fair at the Boston Children’s Museum from 11am to 2pm.  The au pairs, who are a part of Au Pair in America live with local host families for a year and care for their children.    The fair will be a celebration of culture geared toward families and children.  The au pairs will share songs, traditional dances, crafts and facts about their countries.  Children will be given a ‘passport card’ to collect country flags as they visit the displays which have been put together by au pairs from the many different countries.    All are welcome to attend the event at Boston Children’s Museum at 300 Congress Street, Boston MA.   The cultural fair is a great opportunity to interact with these young women who come from many countries around the world.    Pictures of last year’s fair.