Tag Archives: au pairs

Know your driving rules

Bus-Clip-Art1

Au Pairs often find themselves driving the kids around to activities. Be sure to know the rules of the road in order to be safe and avoid getting a fine.  The rules regarding stopping for school buses are:

  • Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop the car.
  • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.
  • It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its’ stop arm is extended. Vehicles must stop on both sides of the roadway. Failure to stop can result in high fines which the au pair has to pay, not the host family.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.  It has become a holiday all around the world, where everyone can share in the fun and be Irish for the day.

Fun Ideas with the Kids

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

  • Rainbow Cupcakes
  • Irish Soda Bread
  • Corned Beef & Cabbage
  • Fun Facts

    • The color green is also commonly associated with Ireland, also known as “the Emerald Isle.”
    • One estimate suggests that there are about 10 000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.
    • Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

    2012 taxes due April 15

    Why do we pay taxes? Everyone pays taxes – they can be in the form of sales taxes (on clothes, gasoline, food in restaurants, to name few) and income taxes. Tax dollars are used to keep many services running that all citizens need. They also pay for Social Security, health care, national defense and social programs such as food stamps and public housing.

    As a temporary member of the community of the USA, au pairs are potentially required to pay income taxes. They use the 1080-EZ NR form (for non-residents).

    Ash Wednesday – February 13th – religious holiday


    A priest marks a cross of ashes on a worshipper's forehead.

    Ash Wednesday, in Christian churches, is the first day of the penitential season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday some Christians have a smudge of ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of penitence.

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    Valentine’s Day! February 14th!

    Globe Heart

    Valentine’s Day is February 14th!

    Au Pairs give loving care to their host families every day. Au Pair in America has provided 27 years as the world’s most experienced intercultural childcare program.

    Au pairs become full-fledged family members, sharing a cultural exchange experience that often leads to a lasting relationship with the host family.

    Au Pairs come to the USA for cultural exchange and to provide childcare to busy families. They stay for one year and then have the option to extend for a second year. Au Pairs are 18 to 26 years old when they arrive in the USA. Please check out www.aupairinamerica.com for more information!

    Au Pairs will be making Valentine cards with their host children. Here’s how:

    What you’ll need:

    • 8.5 x 11 construction paper or card stock in various colors and/or patterns easy-homemade-valentines-kaboose-craft-photo-350-fs-IMG_9049_rdax_65
    • Valentine and/or heart stickers
    • Scissors
    • Pinking shears (optional)
    • Glue stick or white craft or school glue
    • Glitter (pink, red, white)

    How to make it:

    1. Begin by cutting a piece of construction paper or card stock into four equal pieces.
    2. Fold quartered paper in half to make a card.
    3. For the easiest version, appropriate for preschoolers, use stickers to decorate or cut out hearts from a different color of construction paper or card stock to glue onto your cards. Experiment with different patterns, florals look great contrasted with stripes on a solid background.
    4. Younger children love glitter! Use a bottle of glue to “draw” on a heart or phrase (such as “Be Mine”). Sprinkle glue generously with pink, red or white glitter and let dry over night. Tap off excess glitter when completely dry.
    5. For the older set, let them use pinking sheers to cut out heart shapes and glue onto cards. Again, use contrasting patterns and colors to create a charming design.
    6. Once glue is dry, cards may curl up a little. Place cards between the pages of a heavy cookbook or phone book and leave over night.

    Valentine's Day

    Holiday Reminders for Au Pairs and Host Families

    With the holiday season just around the corner, it is important to review this little reminder about program rules for holidays and vacations.luggage malias

    Holidays

    • Host families are NOT REQUIRED to give au pairs any specific holidays.
    • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
    • Au pairs should NOT make plans for holidays without checking with your host family FIRST.

    Vacation

    • Au pair earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
    • The host family can pick a week and the au pair can pick a week, if an agreement is not reached.
    • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
    • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing a ticket.
    • If an au pair travels with their host family, it should be discussed UP FRONT whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
    • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

    Keep these things in mind as you plan your travel and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

    Important: An au pair MUST have her DS2019 signed PRIOR to her departure from the US. More info. about this can be found on the right side of this page under “Travel Links for Au Pairs.”

    Turkey Nut Holder

    Turkey Nut Holder Thanksgiving Craft

    Total Time Needed:
    1 Hour

    An egg carton in clever disguise, these individualized cups hold a nutty snack for young gobblers.

    Materials
    • Pencil
    • Egg carton
    • Scissors or X-acto knife
    • Tempera paint (brown or yellow)
    • 4-inch pipe cleaner
    • Pushpin (optional)
    • 2 googly eyes
    • Colored feathers (available at craft stores)
    • Glue stick
    • White paper
    • Toothpick
    • Marker
    Instructions
    1. Draw a cut line around one of the cups in the egg carton. Then, cut along the line (a parent’s job) and paint the cup.
    2. Fold the pipe cleaner in half and twist the ends together to form a wattle. Push the exposed wire through the top of the turkey’s beak until one third of the pipe cleaner is through the hole. (Tip: Stick a pushpin through the carton first.) To keep the wattle from slipping out, bend down the inserted end.
    3. Glue on the googly eyes and feathers.
    4. To make a name tag flag, cut out a strip of white paper. Cover one side with glue, then place a toothpick in the middle and fold the paper in half so the toothpick is glued inside. When the paper is dry, write on a name, then stick the toothpick through one side of the turkey, and the holder is ready to fill with nuts.

    Upcoming Cluster Meetings

    Please add the following dates to your calendar!

    Sunday – October 21, 2012 – 2:15pm  Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia

    Sunday – November 4, 2012 – 4pm to 6pm – Thanksgiving Dessert Party

    Sunday – December 2, 2012 – 7pm to 9pm – Holiday Party for Au Pairs

    January 2013 – Snow tubing (date to be determined)

    Friday – February 1, 2013 – 7:30pm – Philadelphia 76ers Basketball game

    It’s time for Goblins and Ghosts….

    Going trick-or-treating?

    Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters

    Alphabet letter S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
    Alphabet letter A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
    Alphabet letter F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
    Alphabet letter E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
    Alphabet letter H Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
    Alphabet letter A Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
    Alphabet letter L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
    Alphabet letter L Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
    Alphabet letter O Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
    Alphabet letter W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
    Alphabet letter E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
    Alphabet letter E Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
    Alphabet letter N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.