Category Archives: Au Pair Tips

Educational Opportunities for Au Pairs in Maryland

students-in-classroom-taking-testSenior Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, enjoys working with her Au Pairs to prepare an “Individualized Education Plan”  based on each Au Pair’s interests, free time and goals…

PLEASE MEET WITH VICTORIA WHEN SHE HOLDS PERIODIC MEETINGS ABOUT COLLEGE –

COLLEGES AND CLASSES:

ALL THESE BELOW ARE APPROVED FOR AU PAIRS IN MY CLUSTER:

ESL – IF YOU NEED ENGLISH CLASSES LOOK HERE:

LADO College for English Classes

    •  Details: Intensive, Semi-intensive, and TOEFL Prep Classes
    • Credits: varies depending on class
    • Cost: $70 registration fee. Tuition = $765 – $595 for Intensive; $540 for Semi-Intensive; $280 for Saturday (10% APIA tuition discount)\
    • Schedule: Weekday, evening, and weekend courses offered year-round, starting periodically
    • Placement: Testing offered daily
    • Locations:
      • DC (Archives, Gallery Place, Metro Center)
      • Arlington, VA (Rosslyn Metro)
      • Silver Spring, MD (Silver Spring Metro)

Georgetown University – Continuing Studies in English – classes are at night

    • Details: Business Writing, Business Communications, Grammar, Integrated Communication Skills and TOEFL Prep
    • Credits: 3.6 CEUS/36 hours NOT “credits”
    • Cost: $500 (10% early registration discount)
    • Schedule: 9-week sessions
    • Placement: Mandatory placement tests – call for schedule
    • Location: Georgetown, DC (Take shuttle from Dupont Circle Metro)

International Language Institute (formerly English House) English Classes as well as other Foreign Languages

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE IN ROCKVILLE CAMPUS – offers English is 2 different sections of their campus. Talk to Victoria about which section of Montgomery College is best for your English studies:

1. Montgomery College – Credit Classes in English AELP – REQUIRES ESL ACCUPLACER TEST, APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT REQUIRED

2. Montgomery College – NonCredit/Workforce Development APPE-REQUIRES ASSESSMENT TEST ON SPECIFIC DATES BUT NO APPLICATION REQUIRED

HERE ARE SOME FREE ENGLISH CLASS OPTIONS: These DO NOT COUNT TOWARD AU PAIR EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

 

ALL OTHER NON- ENGLISH LEARNING CLASSES ARE HERE!!

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE HAS 3 CAMPUSES – Rockville, Germantown and Takoma Park. Please speak to your Host Family about which is best. Rockville is nearest, but Germantown and Takoma Park are not that far away and can be reached without going on a highway.

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE HAS TWO OPTIONS:

1. Montgomery College Credit Department

  • Courses in “credits”
  • Placement: Requires ESL Accuplacer (if your first language is not English)must be taken after an application submitted. Appointment for test must be made and results meeting attended
  • Details: On a strict Fall, Spring, Summer semester basis
  • Cost: Approx $140/credit and Au Pairs pay In-County price with presentation of a B&I form

2. Montgomery College Continuing Education and Workforce Development

  • Courses in “hours”
  • Placement: No test required for non- ESL classes
  • Details: On a flexible Fall, Spring, Summer semester basis
  • Cost: listed in brochure. Au Pairs pay In-County price with presentation of a B&I form
  • Location: Rockville, Germantown or Takoma Park campuses

Montgomery College Continuing Education – Hospitality and Event Management Department

Montgomery College – Continuing Education – Cosmetology Department

University of Virgin Islands, DC – International Program

    • Details: Courses include Understanding American Government, sign-language, DC history and culture, psychology, photography, animation, claymation and more
    • Credits: Between 20-40 hours and varies by course
    • Cost: Varies by course
    • Locations: Throughout the DC Metro area

Stratford University Event Survey Course and Culinary Training

  • Details: Event Survey Course (event management, hospitality, and tourism) Contact Alice Conway for more details (aconway @ stratford.edu)
  • Credits: 45 hours or 3 credits
  • Cost: Registration fee = $50. Tuition = $350
  • Schedule: Sept 7-October 12 (10 am-2 pm on Thursdays)
  • Location: Alexandria (Eisenhower Ave Metro)

 

  • Details: Culinary and Nutrition Course (American Cooking Skills, nutrition, menu development and hands-on meal prep)
  • Credits: 45 hours or 3 credits
  • Location: Alexandria (Eisenhower Avenue Metro) – many Host Families believe this is too far to drive – traffic can be very bad. Metro requires changing trains which can take time.
  • Cost: $500

 

WEEKEND COURSES/ TRAVEL COURSES

CW Post Long Island Au Pair Wend Courses in Greenvale, NY

  • Details: Weekend classes in American Culture, Business Marketing, English Study and Child Development
  • Credits: 3 credits/weekend
  • Cost $369 (includes course materials, lodging and meals). Transportation by train to NYC or flight from BWI to Islip are at Au Pair’s expense

“Travel Courses” at Borough of Manhattan Community College – Weekend Courses in VA an236d DC with Travel Component

Details: Attend class in DC or VA and then take a study trip to learn first-hand about the destination with a visit. Destinations include: Nashville, Niagara Falls, Chicago, Montreal, New York, New Orleans, Amish Country in Pennsylvania.

Credits: 40 hours/ 4 CEUs or 32 hours/3.2 CEUs (not “credits”!!)

Cost: Varies by class

“MUSEUM CLASSES” AND OTHER WEEKEND CLASSES AT VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

  • Details: Look at their Saturday schedule of classes that take place in DC Museums.
  • Each week a different museum and you sign up online. Registration and classes are on-going throughout the year.
  • Credits: Each class is 5 HOURS.
  • Cost: Tuition is $40 per class + $20 application fee for new students. Please note that tuition and application fees are non-refundable.

 

 

Other Weekend Classes located at Universities all over the US, including California, New York, Florida, NC, SC, Virginia, and others. Click on this link to learn more details.

 

ONLY ONLINE COURSE: UCLA Extension class is the ONLY on-line class approved by Department of State for Au Pairs

APIA Advantage – UCLA Extension Program  (only ONLINE course allowed – 6 credits)

  • Credits: 6 credits
  • Cost: $500
  • Schedule January 9 – May 22, 2017

 

 

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND TIPS FOR AU PAIRS – Important to read

 

 

 

Au Pairs Prepared for Winter Driving with Special AAA Class!

Just in time to be ready for the cold temps and possible snow soon to arrive to the DC area. Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s and Imelda Farrells’s clusters met last week at the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department for a class on Winter Driving with AAA Mid Atlantic (and former police officer) Joe Beddick.

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The 60 Au Pairs learned about preparing a car for winter driving, clearing car of snow, going slow etc.

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After his talk, Mr. Beddick, showed some very real videos about what happens when drivers are distracted by phone or texting etc., reminding them that it is illegal in the state of Maryland.20161129_200517

At the end of the meeting, Counselors raffled off prizes such as snow melt, snow scrapers, hand warmers, gloves, shovels etc. for Au Pairs to keep in their cars…just in case.

Brrrrr!!

Handling Miscellaneous Household Expenses or “Petty Cash” with Au Pairs

As summer has arrived, the kids may be home more often requiring Au Pairs to spend “petty cash” on snacks for the children at the pool, taking them to the movies, crafts projects, lunches in the day etc.

So, here is is a tip on “Handling Expenses” by Au Pair in America Senior Community Counselor – Christine Connally of Bowie, MD

May 15, 2014 – 12:56 am

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for this kind of expenses.  Here are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs:

  • to and from classes and cluster meetings
  • driving the kids

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Au Pairs Prepare Now for Summer with Pool Safety Class

Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s Cluster gathered in our Rockville “Cluster Cottage” to brush-up on their pool safety skills for both public and home swimming this year.kids jumping in

Life guard Aileen Farrell of Montgomery Country spoke about being vigilant (do not rely on the pool life guard to watch your children – you must also be vigilant), what drowning looks like across a crowded pool – hint: it is less obvious than you’d think, talking to host parents before pool season about escorting children to changing rooms/toilets, using objects at pool-side for water rescues etc.pool safety

Please take a look at the video now. It could save a life.

Here is another useful video.

The American Red Cross provides very useful information here.

Au Pairs Who Attended AAA WINTER DRIVING Class Are Ready for Blizzard of 2016

Au Pairs in Montgomery County attended a class presented by AAA MidAtlantic on Winter Driving last year. Now we ask Au Pairs to review the AAA materials before the snow hits this weekend.

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French Au Pairs holding APIA snow scrapers to keep in their purses.

“What great timing! I sent each of my Host Families and Au Pairs an Au Pair in America Ice Scraper to keep in car or purse – last week!!  No idea they would come in handy so soon,” said Victoria Paton, Au Pair in America Senior Community Counselor for the past 16 years in Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo.

 

 

 

 

Here is what AAA advises as we face 1-2 feet of snow:

BALTIMORE —With a blizzard watch in effect, AAA Mid-Atlantic is offering a checklist tips to ensure your vehicle is prepared for the snow.

AAA officials are urging motorists to stay off the roads until the storm has passed and the roads are plowed.

“If you have to be out, drive with caution and give road crews plenty of room to do their job safely,” says Ragina Cooper Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic in a statement. “For everyone’s safety on the roads, drivers should allow plenty of extra time to properly clean off their vehicle before getting behind the wheel.”

AAA recommends motorists have an emergency kit prepared before you need it. This should include deicer, shovel, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter (for traction).

In addition, AAA offered these tips:

– Pack a blanket, extra gloves and hat, heavy coat

– Pack snacks, beverages, etc. and have them packed by the door to take in the morning (so they don’t freeze in the car overnight)

– Charge your cellphone and have a backup power source for the car in case you’re stuck for a while

– Make sure your windshield wipers and lights (headlights, taillights, turn signals) are working properly – make sure you can see and can be seen

– Keep a full tank of gas

AAA also offered the following tips for proper driving techniques in a winter storm:

– Wait for the roads to be plowed and treated before venturing out – road surface condition is the single most important safety factor during a winter weather event

– Thoroughly clean off your car and remove all snow and ice before driving anywhere.

– Warm the car up outside of the garage

– Drive slowly

– Increase following distances

– Accelerate and brake slowly as it takes longer to slow down on snowy, icy roads.

– Do not use cruise control and avoid tailgating – normal following distances of three to four seconds for dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces.

Regardless of whether the vehicle has front-, rear- or four-wheel drive, the best way to regain control if the front wheels skid is:

– Take your foot of the brake or accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.

– Avoid slamming on the brakes. Although hitting the brakes is a typical response, slamming the brakes will only further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to regain control.

– Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again. As soon as traction returns, the vehicle will start to steer again.

– When the front wheels have regained their grip, steer the wheels gently in the desired direction of travel and begin to accelerate slowly.

– Use the “plant and steer” method with antilock brake systems. Do not remove your foot from the brake or pump the pedal. If you apply pressure and the wheels lock momentarily, you might feel the brake pedal pulse back against your foot. This is normal. Just hold the brake pedal down and steer. Pumping the pedal actually works against the system.

 

Coats Off in Car Seats BEFORE Buckling

As cold weather may be coming our way (at last), new safety studies are indicating that it is unsafe to buckle a child into a car seat with his/her coat on. Please view this video from the TODAY show illustrating what can happen...the car seat is loosened by the extra fabric of a coat and in a crash situation, the child flies up and out of car seat.images

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If weather is cold, put the child’s coat ON TOP of the car seat buckle/belt for warmth.

Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor of Au Pair in America, has advised her Au Pairs to make note of this and for added safety to take the car with car seat to the next Safe Kids Worldwide “Car Seat Check-up Event:

Check Up Event – Safe Kids Montgomery County – 1/12/2016 – 8:00AM-6:00PM
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – 8:00am to 6:00pm
Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue, Room 225
Rockville, MD 20850
or make an appointment at one of Montgomery County’s Car Seat Inspections Stations…click here.

Au Pair in America AU PAIR COLLEGE FAIR in Maryland

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FIRST EVER – Maryland Regional Au Pair in America
AU PAIR COLLEGE FAIR!
Au Pairs from around the region are invited to find out the options for fulfilling their Au Pair in America education requirement…
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 1230-230pm
Potomac Community Center
11315 Falls Road, Potomac, Maryland

Plenty of parking and is on the T2 bus stop in front (Friendship Heights/Rockville Metros)

Representatives from many Au Pair educational options will be there to help you:

 

  • Montgomery College Continuing Ed. and Credit Departments
  • LADO (English and TOEFL prep)
  • English House/International Language Institute (ESL and TOEFL prep)
  • Stratford University (event management)
  • Georgetown University (English related courses)
  • L’Academie de Cuisine (culinary)
  • Virginia International University (museum classes)
  • UCLA online program for Au Pairs
  • BMCC Travel courses

Come and find out what is available for Spring 2016!

 

Lifeguard Speaks to Au Pairs

Pool Safety was the topic that Aileen Farrell, Lifeguard at King Farm, stressed at our June Cluster meeting.  Topics covered: Being alert around and in the pool, changing room policies, what to do if a child falls in, how to assist pool life guards by supervising the children in Au Pair’s care and more.4860

There are a few great websites with information but most recently the Today show offered:

 

 

 

Thanksgiving – What is it and why is it celebrated?

What is the History of Thanksgiving in United Starockwelltes?

The initial “Thanksgiving” feast, held in 1621, was really a traditional English harvest celebration. The Pilgrims shared it with the Native Americans because they had taught the colonists to plants crops and hunt wild game. Without the Native Americans, the Pilgrims may not have survived the harsh winter and been able to celebrate their first harvest of plentiful crops in the New World. The colonists’ first harvest feast lasted for three days. Food was served all at once, instead of in courses, so people ate whatever they pleased in the order that they desired. The more important members at the feast were given the best pieces of meat, while the rest of the diners ate whatever was closest to them. Since the Pilgrims didn’t use forks or plates, they ate their meal straight off the table with spoons, knives or their fingers. They used large napkins to wipe their hands and also wrapped it around food when it was too hot to hold.

Nowadays, the day before the third Thursday of the month is the busiest travel day of the year (even more than Christmas). In America people of all religions, races etc. celebrate this holiday and they bring to it the foods that they enjoy at celebrations from their home countries. Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce are all traditional parts of a current Thanksgiving meal. It is a very important occasion for families to gather together from all over the country.

A fun movie to rent at this time of year is “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” a comedy about a man trying to get home for his Thanksgiving meal. Lots of laughs.

Au Pairs please note: While host parents and other workers are off for the day, it is NOT an Au Pair holiday off of work unless an Au Pair is given that day off by the Host Family…Au Pairs are to help the family in whatever way is needed as it is a busy day but, more importantly, Au Pairs should be part of this very American holiday! This may be your only time to join in a true American Thanksgiving!  Enjoy.
– Victoria Paton

Thanksgiving story Posted by Silga Vasilevsky on N765e_turkey1ov 5, 2 009

Fro-Yo Fridays at Orange Leaf for Monthly Cluster Conversation Meetings

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Everyone likes a treat at the end of a long week, so once a month, about 30 au pairs gather at Orange Leaf in Cabin John Mall to chat with their Community Counselor and friends old and new. In addition to the major cluster meeting each month, we have an informal gathering also each month, just to chat and get to know each other.

We are so fortunate that a Host Family owns Orange Leaf and have been super accommodating to our Friday meetings – even staying open late on some nights if we get carried away in our conversations and stay after the Mall closes.

This is a super timorange-leaf-producte for new Au Pairs to be welcomed into the Cluster, and this week a fantastic newly-arrived Au Pair from Croatia decided to organize a “Club” for Au Pairs caring for children under the age of three (3) to organize play dates, give each other support and to organize fun activities in the evenings after  providing excellent childcare for very small children during the day.