My twin 3-year-old sons went to a birthday party recently and received a goodie bag treat they absolutely LOVED. A plastic snow shovel. It was a winter birthday party for good friends, who happen to have one son. I am sure they see the shovel as a lovely winter activity. My husband came home from the party with the boys and the shovels knowing exactly what I would say, “Great, they can use the shovels to clock each other over the head, put them in the garage so we can make sure we’re watching them!”

And, at the birthday party of our 2-year-old twin cousins (yes, a lot of twins in our family), I was the “party-pooper” explaining the hazards of popping latex balloons over the birthday cake while secretly hyper-ventilating around a group of seemingly unaware parents.

As the mom of two sets of twins, now ages 6 (girls) and 3 (boys), we’ve had our fair share of fun, play, and bumps, over the years! As a board certified general and child abuse pediatrician, I’ve personally witnessed tragic and horrific consequences of momentary lapses in vigilance. I am a specialist in the medical evaluation of children when safety measures have failed. I am also a toy creator, having invented and brought the U-Play Mat to market in 2009. So, parenthood, child abuse pediatrics and toy creating have made me a clairvoyant. “A clairvoyant?” you ask, “You can see things in the future?” Yes, I see accidents before they happen! And I talk about them with my au pair.

Even for au pairs with significant child care experience, any new home presents an opportunity to learn. I start with any new child care provider going over a list of safety items. We talk about food safety, stairways, kitchen safety, crossing the street and little fingers getting smashed in doors. I make sure that my au pair truly understands by asking her to explain back again, and if necessary demonstrating what I’m referring to. One topic I also cover is safety during play.

Children’s toys and games are age specific, and intended for particular uses. Older children may have games and toys with small parts or strings, presenting a hazard to younger children. Common toys and games in many homes may not be familiar to an au pair from another country. And, instruction manuals may be difficult to interpret. Including careful and clear training on the toys and games your children play with, and safe ways to play, is a critical part of the au pair orientation to a new house.

I’ve outlined some basic toy and play safety topics for discussion with your au pair below:

1. Make sure your au pair understands how toys are intended to be used, and that instructions are understood.

2. When opening new toys, it is important to discard plastic wrappings. When assembling toys or changing batteries, it is important to secure small parts and batteries in a safe place. Also, tools used such as a screwdriver, may present their own safety hazards.

3. Make sure your au pair understands age recommendations for toys and what your expectations are for safe play between different aged siblings. Do you want older children to play with small parts in a designated area of the house? Do you want your au pair to double-check after clean up?

4. Explain safety hazards with soft toys and young children. Soft toys (as well as blankets, pillows, and other soft items) are not intended to be in the sleep environment of young babies.

5. If a toy breaks, it may present a new safety hazard. Make sure your expectations are clear – do you want her/him to throw a toy away when it breaks, or show to you to decide about the next step?

6. Toys should be put away safety to avoid unnecessary trips and falls. Toy boxes and toy chests should have a lid that will stay open in any position and ventilation holes.

7. Think about small parts with children ages 3 and younger, or older children who exhibit hand-mouth behaviors. Thing about long strings/cords and the risk of strangulation. Explain this to your au pair. Don’t have toys with long cords in reach of an infant’s sleep or play space.

8. Broken or un-inflated balloons are a choking hazard. This is one of the most common causes for choking. Discuss this with your au pair.

9. Talk about your expectations when you au pair buys your child a gift. Do you want to see it first and make sure it is something you feel is safe?

10. If your child has a developmental or physical disability, make sure to explain specific safety issues that may apply.

MARCH 22, 2010 - 7:30 pm

STARBUCKS (ROUTE 110, BY THE MOVIE THEATER)

10 Michael Avenue
Farmingdale, NY 11735-3920
(631) 454-4550

Click here for directions

PLEASE BE SURE TO COME TO SIGN IN. THE FOLLOWING WEEK IS A HOLIDAY FOR ME AND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO GET TOGETHER THEN FOR YOU TO COME TO MY HOUSE TO SIGN IN.

The Harlem Magic Masters are coming to Massapequa!

They will play against the teachers of McKenna Elementary School on Thursday March 4, 2010. The doors open at 6 PM and the game starts promptly at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. If you want tickets in advance, call me immediately! We can hold the tickets at the door for you if need be. The game will take place at Massapequa High School Gym on Merrick Road in Massapequa.

There will be tricks, music, a special half-time show and free autographs! It is sure to be a great time! Bring the kids, bring your friends………..

Click the link below for the flyer that has contact and ticket information.

harlem-magic-masters-flyer-outsiders-ccap3

As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.

Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.

Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.

During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.

In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.

“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”

For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact your Local Childcare Coordinator.

Au Pair Disco Cruise: New York City
Saturday, May 15th 7:00 to 9:00 pm
More information to follow soon!

If you would like to make a donation, please click or paste the following link in your browser:
http://american.redcross.org/efeducationfirst-emp

Now new families applying to Cultural Care Au Pair will have even more payment options available. Not only have we reduced our application fee, we have created several new payment plans for new and repeat families. As a result, they can continue to enjoy all the benefits they have enjoyed from Cultural Care Au Pair in the past - and even more!

Lower application fee, lowered payment plan options
How does it work? Now new families applying to the program will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee -a savings over our previous $350 application fee. Upon finding the right au pair, a $275 selection fee will be due so the au pair can finalize arrangements to come to the U.S. Offering this new payment structure not only helps secure the au pair for the family, it allows the visa process to begin moving forward.

In addition, families now have even more flexibility when it comes to making payments. On our regular payment plan, families now have the ability to pay the program fee 30 days prior to the au pair’s arrival, instead of upon selection of an au pair. This is great for families who select an au pair early, as it provides them with additional time to pay their program fee.

In addition, our Extended Payment Plan option now lowers the initial deposit to $2,395, plus a $200 payment plan enrollment fee. Families have the option of making a payment in three easy installments or they can log into their host family account at their convenience and pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly - whatever works best for the family, as long as it’s within the Extended Payment Plan timeframe. Repeat and extension families enjoy all these flexible payment benefits as well, with the additional benefit of a waived application fee!

Along with keeping prices the same in 2010, and creating several new, lower payment plan options, we are also decreasing the cost for enrolling in our Extended Payment Plan, making it even easier to afford an au pair in the New Year. For more information about how to utilize these new options, contact me, your local childcare coordinator, and I will be happy to provide you with additional details about Cultural Care Au Pair’s exciting new payment options for 2010!

http://tiny.cc/dSPaF

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/aupair/

By attending a Weekend Class at CWPost and Completing the Assignments, an Au Pair will earn Three (3) College Class Credits which can be used toward the U.S. Dept. of State Educational Requirement of the Au Pair Program.

To register by telephone with a credit card please call Anne Schubeck or Victoria DiBenedetto at (516) 299-2359.

For more information, you can email CWPost at aupair@cwpost.liu.edu or fax your application form to CWPost at: 516-299-2363.

The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is pleased to provide educational programs that Au Pairs may attend to fulfill their credit requirements. These courses are open to Au Pairs and all interested students. This program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a few options on the C.W. Post Campus. During the winter semester overnight accommodations will be on campus. During the spring semester overnight accommodations will be offered at the East Norwich Inn.

Winter Semester

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance December 4-6, 2009

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions December 11-13, 2009

Growing up in America December 11-13, 2009

History of American Women-American History January 29-31, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course January 29-31, 2010

Growing up in America January 29-31, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society January 29-31, 2010

Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance February 19-21. 2010

History of American Music February 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society February 19-21, 2010

Spring Semester

History of American Music March 5-7, 2010

Growing up in America March 5-7, 2010

American Government, Politics, and Social Issues March 5-7, 2010

Storytelling: As A Way of Life: Exploring Traditions March 19-21, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course March 19-21, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society March 19-21, 2010

History of American Music March 26-28, 2010

Regional Identities - American Culture March 25-28, 2010

American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society

April 16-18, 2010

TOEFL/ English Preparation Course April 16-18, 2010

History of American Music April 16-18, 2010

Celebration of Holidays - American Culture April 16-18, 2010