Category Archives: Fun Things We Do

Yale University Tour and Football Game

APIA Au Pairs from all around Connecticut gathered together in New Haven Saturday November 2, 2019 to tour the Ivy League school Yale. Afterwards many Au Pairs stayed to watch the Yale vs. Columbia football game. It was a beautiful fun Fall day

Three Ways for Au Pairs to Stay Red Cross Ready

Being knowledgeable in basic first aid and CPR is important for au pairs (and anyone else caring for children). Au Pair in America’s commitment to infant/child safety begins before au pairs arrive to the U.S., with pre-arrival training and continue throughout the au pair year.

#1 Training At Orientation

Our orientation includes seminars by American Red Cross instructors who provide hands-on demonstrations in infant/child CPR and safety. Printed materials are provided that reinforce the safety information and can be used to review from time to time.

#2 Enroll in a Red Cross Certification Class

After settling into their host community, all au pairs are encouraged to complete an Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification program. Au Pair in America will pay for this training through the American Red Cross.

Classes are available through the Red Cross. Au Pair in America will pay for the cost of a class providing an au pair has at least six months left on her visa and is taking one of several approved childcare/child safety-related classes, such as Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. Au pairs should check with their community counselor and host family before signing up. Au Pair in America will register the au pair directly.

To locate a class, visit www.redcross.org/takeaclass. For step-by-step instructions on how to locate a class and have Au Pair in America complete enrollment, click here.

#3 Stay Current on Safety Information

The Official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, this app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice, it’s never been easier to know first aid. Download the app for free from the American Red Cross website or in your app store.

Photos: Robin Leon

Miniature Golf

Au Pairs from all over Fairfield County said good bye to summer with our annual Multi Cluster . miniature golf games Monday August 27, 2019

Back to School Planning

Back to school time is here. This can mean changes to the au pair schedule and possibly to the duties.  It is very important to communicate these changes to avoid problems.

Here is a list of topics to consider discussing:

  • Au pair’s work schedule
  • The children’s school and activity schedules
  • Where the children get dropped off and picked up and who will be doing this
  • What to do if a child is staying home sick, late to school, does not get off the bus (if they are supposed to)
  • Driving laws regarding stopping for school buses
  • How to tell if school has been canceled or delayed for bad weather
  • Add the au pair to your list of people allowed to pick up the kids from school and explain the process
  • What to pack for lunch
  • The routine after school (do they have free time before starting homework, what to give for a snack, any chores, where do they put their backpacks & lunchboxes)
  • How to communicate about what’s going on at school. Your Kids in Care logbook from Au Pair in America can be a great two-way communication tool for keeping track of schedules, afterschool activities and day to day info that needs to be transferred between host parents and au pair.
  • If your au pair will be the one going through the children’s backpack and helping with homework, consider designating an area for putting things that need to be read and/or signed by parents.

Here are some Printable Fill-in-the-Blank School Notes for parents. You can print these out and have them ready for times when the kids are absent, late, have an early dismissal or you need to give permission for something.

Check out Au Pair in America’s Pinterest School Tips and Ideas pinboard for things like organization ideas, back to school traditions, printable lunch box notes, and fun lunch recipes.

 

Levitt Pavilion Cluster Meeting

Au Pairs from Westport, Weston, Wilton and New Canaan came together at Levitt Pavilion for an evening of music under the stars.  The 60 piece Westport Community Band played classics, pops, and some marches.  The Westport Levitt Pavilion provides free concerts every night of the summer except for Monday evenings

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Fun Cluster Events

Westport, Weston and Wilton Au Pairs visited the Westport Arts Center Thursday morning February 7th to see the photographs of Spencer Platt.  That evening Fairfield County Au Pairs gathered at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Norwalk, CT for an evening of jumping, climbing, socializing and fun.

Holiday Party December 2018

Westport APIA Au Pairs celebrated the 2018 holiday season with an international feast and fest.  Au Pairs brought native dishes to sample and share and much was learned.  In Poland, children receive their Christmas gifts on Dec. 24th, after they see the first star.  Brazil and Italy share the same kind of bread and Poland and Brazil often make the same kind of salad, although in Brazil they put potatoes in it and in Poland they use apples.  Au Pairs dined on spicy Thai chicken, Polish vegetable salad, Italian bread, French crème boule, German fruit cake, Brazilian coconut balls, Polish carrot cake,  and butter, chocolate and vanilla cookies from Chile, El Salvador, and Austria. Fun night to celebrate friendships and food!

Pumpkin Carving

Au pairs from Westport, Weston and Wilton had a pumpkin carving cluster meeting at Compo Beach in Westport Wednesday October 10th.  They carved, met some new friends, shared some laughs and had some fun.  Great work, ladies!

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