Tag Archives: Au Pair in America San Antonio

Halloween Safety Tips

October 27, 2014 – 8:07 am

Halloween can be a lot of fun but it is also a time when safety should come first. Here are some tips for next week:

Adult supervision is essential. Always accompany the children if they are going door to door to trick or treat

Try trick-or-treat-friendly homes. Ensure the children only visit houses with lights on. And, you might also suggest the houses they visit have some sort of Halloween decoration on the porch.

Stay outside. Make sure the children don’t go inside someone’s house. They can trick or treat on the porch.

Remain visible. Dress the children in bright costumes or have them wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight.

Quality-check treats. Check the candy before they eat it. Throw out any candy that is not in its original wrapper or looks like it has been tampered with.

Say “no” to strangers. Remind the children to never accept a ride or go anywhere with a stranger.

Why Choose an Au Pair?

October 24, 2014 – 6:36 pm

Flexible and Dependable Care:
No two weeks are the same with most households. Hosting an au pair provides the flexibility and convenience you need to simplify your life. With an au pair, you will be able to create your own child care schedule of up to 10 hours per day and up to 45 hours per week. By having your child care provider living in your home, dealing with sick days, snow days and life’s little surprises has never been easier.

A Cost-Effective Solution:
You will receive 45 hours of child care for just $361 per week, regardless of how many children you have. If you have full-time school-age children we offer a 30 hour per week Educare® for just $290 per week.

When you compare the cost to other child care solutions, including a nanny or day care, you will find an au pair can be a surprisingly cost-effective solution. Choosing our Extended Payment Plan, spreading out payments several month makes it even more affordable.

Full Service:
With exceptional child care, you should expect exceptional service. You will receive comprehensive program support including assistance with selecting your au pair, coordinating logistics, providing orientation for your family and au pair, year-round local support, medical insurance for your au pair and 24/7 emergency assistance. With a quarter century of experience, we are able to accommodate and anticipate the needs of host families. Our local, professional Community Counselors reside in your area and provide daily, ongoing, local support to you and your au pair to ensure a happy and successful experience.

Expert Matching:
At Au Pair in America, we offer Expert Match, a flexible and effective approach to finding the caregiver that is a perfect fit for your family. You may search for your au pair with our user-friendly online search tool, our mobile app or work with our professional placement team to find the perfect au pair for your family. Should you require additional assistance, we are ready and willing to accommodate.

Large Pool of Au Pairs:
With Au Pair in America, you will have access to the largest pool of au pairs in the world. Applicants come from more than 60 countries on five continents and our multi-tiered screening ensures that only the most exceptional and qualified au pairs are accepted. View our au pairs available now.

An Enriching Experience:
With Au Pair in America, your family is getting more than just great child care. Your children will receive a global education during their most formative years, learning about the world and your au pair’s culture and customs. In addition, many parents want their children to be bilingual. The constant exposure and reinforcement provided by an au pair are the best ways to immerse children in a new language.

Orientation and Expert Training:
Your au pair will have recent and practical child care experience, the details of which you will be able to review in their application. In addition, all of our au pairs complete a pre-departure online training segment and attend a comprehensive four-day orientation program that features: child development training, child safety training and adaptation training.

During orientation, all of our au pairs receive exclusive Red Cross® training composed of seminars and hands-on demonstration and with training exercises for infant/child CPR and safety, plus sanitization and illness prevention.

Au Pair in America has also partnered with AAA, the nation’s most trusted name in driver safety and instruction, to offer a custom classroom course specifically designed for au pairs. Exclusively for our au pairs, the AAA driving course is one of a kind, tailored to the needs of the international driver and specific to the safety needs of driving children in a car.

Program options to fit your family:
Whether your children are infants or school aged, Au Pair in America has the solution for your family. Choose from Au Pair, Extraordinaire, or EduCare to satisfy your child care needs.

Organizational Strength;
Au Pair in America is a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which has provided educational and cultural exchange programs for more than 50 years. Our resources enable reliable visa processing, comprehensive insurance for au pairs and discounts for host families interested in any of AIFS’s renowned programs.

Pumpkin Carving Instructions

October 21, 2014 – 9:27 am

Pumpkin Carving Contest!!

Au Pairs/Host Families: Submit your pumpkin photos (of yourself, your helpers, the actual carving & final product) by November 2^nd for a chance to win some special prizes!!

1. Cut a Hole in the Pumpkin

The first step is hollowing out the pumpkin. Use a keyhole saw to cut the hole. If you’ll be using a candle for illumination, you can cut the hole in the pumpkin’s top (always put the candle in a high-sided glass, and never leave unattended). For electric lights, make the hole in the bottom or side so you can hide the cord.

2. Scoop out the Flesh

Scoop Out the Flesh

Scoop out flesh, pulp, and seeds with a plaster scraper or fleshing tool.

3. Transfer Your Design

Transfer Your Design

Now it’s time to transfer your selected designs (use a pumpkin template or draw your own). Affix it to the pumpkin, and trace the design by poking holes with a needle tool or T-pin.

4. Carve the Features

Carve the Features

Remove the template and carve along the pattern with a miniature saw or linoleum carving tool.
You can also get creative with patterns and designs using pumpkin-carving tools.
If desired, place candles, small flashlights, or battery-operated light sources inside your pumpkin.

Tip: Prevent exposed areas of the pumpkin’s flesh from turning brown by applying a film of Vaseline.

5. How to Light a Pumpkin

To illuminate a carved pumpkin, use battery-operated lights, candles, or string lights. If using a candle, place it in a glass or votive holder, and cut a hole in the top/back of the pumpkin for ventilation.

October Cluster Meeting

October 18, 2014 – 7:09 pm

Today, we met at Panera Bread to talk about Halloween (shared some safety tips as well as “how to carve a pumpkin” instructions) and discussed the au pairs’ Global Awareness Presentations (our mission is to introduce young children to other cultures and help them form a positive first impression of people from other cultures).

We also welcomed Agnes who just arrived from Austria!! 🙂

Left to right: Zuzana from Czech Republic, Saaynaam from Thailand, Johanna from Colombia, Annerien from South Africa, Nut from Thailand, and Agnes from Austria.

Johanna from Colombia and Nut from Thailand received their Education Certificate after fulfilling the educational component of the program (6 credits or approx. 72 classroom hours at an accredited Post-secondary institution).

…and handed out some APIA Certificates of completion! 🙂

P.S.: Don’t forget, pics for our Pumpkin Carving Contest must be submitted before November 2nd!!

Glow in the Dark Mini Golf

September 15, 2014 – 12:00 pm

For this month’s cluster meeting we visited Monster Mini Golf (a themed glow in the dark 18 hole miniature golf course off NW Military Hwy). For many of the Au Pairs, this was their first time playing mini golf (they all did great!!) and it was a wonderful day of golf, conversation, and fun!

From left to right: Johanna from Colombia, Nut from Thailand, Caroline from Sweden, Annerien from South Africa, Elena from Costa Rica (in pink), and then Zuzana and Hana from Czech Republic.

Ivet & Hana, Elena & Zuzana, and Saaynaam & Nut

The girls showing of their Painted Plate projects 🙂

We stopped for some Subway after the game

Caring for a Sick Child

September 10, 2014 – 6:14 pm

When a child has less energy than usual, is unusually cranky, has less of an appetite, or just doesn’t seem him/herself, chances are the child is sick. Fever is a sign a child is fighting an illness or infection. Fevers are usually not serious and can be cared for at home. It is typical for younger children to run higher fevers than older children. Fevers are also often higher in the evening than in the morning. Be alert for rash, earache, stomachache or sore throat, as these may indicate more serious problems.

A child’s temperature can be taken orally, under the armpit, or with special thermometers only in the ear. Au pairs and host families should discuss the preferred method for that family. A child has a fever if the temperature is 99.4’F (37.4’C) when taken by mouth or under the arm. Be sure the thermometer is shaken down first, and left in place for 3 minutes in the mouth or 6-8 minutes in the armpit. Talk or read to the child while you are taking his/her temperature. Never leave a child alone with a thermometer.

When a child has a fever, he or she needs more rest than usual and should not be awakened. Quiet play is fine, but too much activity can aggravate a fever. Children should be dressed in light layered clothing. Liquids are very important – offer water, juice, fruit drinks, tea, popsicles, Jello or soup.

Some children might enjoy stirring their tea with a lollipop, or having soda as a special treat. Host families and au pairs should discuss appropriate medication and desired dosage. Do not offer children aspirin; consider instead acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but only with the approval of a host parent. If a child’s fever is over 103’F, a lukewarm bath might be comforting. If a child vomits, offer small amounts of liquids, but no dairy products. Within the first 24 hours the diet should be limited to clear liquids, bananas, plain white rice, applesauce and plain toast.

When children are sick they will need an extra dose of patience, attention, affection and comfort even more than they need medicine or special diets. Although basic rules and discipline should not change, a child may be more dependent on adults when he or she is ill. Extra imagination and creativity is needed to keep a sick child entertained with quiet pastimes. Children will welcome novelties – use a baking sheet as a tray to assemble a puzzle in bed or to keep crayons from rolling away; create a story with stuffed animals and a flashlight under a blanket.

Warning signs – It is time to ask for more help if a child:

• has a fever higher than 104’F (40’C)
• is very cranky, sluggish or doesn’t awaken easily
• has trouble breathing
• is confused, or vomits repeatedly
• is unable to swallow or is drooling
• has a convulsion or seizure
• has dry lips, sunken eyes, little or no urine or dark yellow urine

Craving something sweet??

August 4, 2014 – 8:27 am

Carrot cake (or cupcakes)…… Need I say more???

Cake:

3/4 cup ﬂour
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 (2 1/2 ounce) jar carrot baby food
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups ﬁnely grated carrot (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting:

1/3 cup (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 Tsp butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup ﬂaked sweetened coconut, toasted in oven

1. Preheat oven to 325 F
2. Combine ﬂour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a food processor, until well blended. Place ﬂour mixture in a large bowl. Combine sugar, canola oil, baby food, and eggs; stir with a whisk. Add to ﬂour mixture; stir just until moist. Stir in grated carrot and pineapple. Spoon batter into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray.
3. Bake at 325 F for 40 minutes (or 14-17 minutes if you’re making cupcakes). Cool in pan on a wire rack, then transfer to the fridge (this keeps them moist).
4. To prepare frosting, combine cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at high speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating at low speed until smooth. Spread over cake, sprinkle with coconut.

Congratulations to Germany!!

July 14, 2014 – 9:41 am

Congratulations to our German friends, host families, and au pairs!

The German team has thrilled football fans throughout the world during this world cup tournament. The 4-0 victory over Portugal was impressive and the 7-1 win over host nation Brazil was mesmerizing. But yesterday’s win, secured through guts, fight, and a moment of magic from one of its bright new stars showed that Germany overcame the most difficult hurdle of all. With the game deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, substitute Gotze provided the game’s defining moment with a touch of magic. The Bayern Munich star took Schurrle’s pass on his chest before displaying exquisite technique to volley the ball past Sergio Romero.

In Berlin last night, a quarter of a million football fans packed into the “fan mile” while celebrating in front of the German capitals famous Brandenburg gate.

Congratulations Germany, FIFA champions!

World Cup News

June 13, 2014 – 11:01 am

The tournament will mark the 20th edition of the World Cup, which will culminate with the final on July 13 in Rio de Janeiro. The World Cup will feature 32 nations — placed in groups with four teams apiece — and a total of 64 games. Defending champion Spain will have to contend with the likes of Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Italy if it wants to retain its title. The United States has qualified for its seventh straight World Cup and will be looking to get out of a very tough group that features Germany, Portugal and Ghana.

The host nation has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) and will be going for a sixth before a home crowd.

The groups are as follows:

Group A Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Group B Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Group C Colombia, Greece, Cote d’lvoire. Japan

Group D Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Group E Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Group F Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Group G Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

Group H Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

There is also a FIFA world cup app you can download to follow the scores and latest news.

#JoinIn the Brazil 2014 experience

For more news and information go to the official FIFA World Cup website at:

http://www.fifa.com/

APIA Video Quilt

May 27, 2014 – 10:02 am

Thousands of young women arrive in the U.S. every year to participate in the
Au Pair in America program. For many of these women, there are many “firsts”
that they experience while they’re in the United States.
We asked our au pairs to submit videos of memorable “firsts,” and we’ve had
so many wonderful submissions.

Click the link below to view their videos 🙂

http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/video_quilt.asp

Quilt Quilt Quilt Quilt