Spring/Summer Au Pair Meetings and Host Family Events - Updated

Posted by: tkapaun on February 23, 2010

Looking ahead at the calendar please mark your calendars for the upcoming au pair meetings and Host Family Events!  Please note: the May meeting has been changed to May 23rd!

Feb. 28th - Bowling at Brunswick

March 11th - ERX Sno Cross races!

April - 18th - CEU

May 23rd - Host Family Event at Canterbury!

June 11th or 13th - to be determined

July 18th - Scavenger Hunt

August 18th - Mini Golf

Results of Fall 2009 Host Family Survey!

Posted by: tkapaun on January 27, 2010

The results are in!

The results from the 2009 Host Family Survey are in … and the consensus is that our host families are overwhelmingly happy! To share a few of the stats:

- 96% of host families are satisfied with the quality of childcare that their au pair provides
- 95% are satisfied with the support provided by their Local Childcare Coordinator
- 97% are pleased with the choice they made to use the services of Cultural Care Au Pair
- 96% would recommend the services of Cultural Care Au Pair to other families

Thank you to our current host families for participating and for helping us to further improve our program! Host family feedback gathered through our customer satisfaction survey has contributed to several changes at Cultural Care Au Pair including an improved host family and au pair matching process, increased new and repeat host family discounts, new payment plan options, and better online and phone support for host families. In addition, host families are able to provide direct feedback to senior management at face to face meetings held throughout the country, and they may participate in an online forum (www.community.culturalcare.com) created just for program participants.

We’re thrilled with these results, which are certified by independent survey company Discovery Surveys, Inc. In fact, our participation rate (52% of active host families this time around) and the results themselves have improved each of the four times we have administered the surveys (spring and fall of 2008 and spring and fall of 2009). For more detailed survey information, visit our website.

January Au Pair Event

Posted by: tkapaun on January 7, 2010

Snow Tubing at Elm Creek!

Au Pairs will be meeting at Elm Creek Park Reserves Winter Recreation Area on January 24th at 12:30 p.m.

We will go snow tubing from 1-3 so wear warm winter clothes, gloves, boots, etc. The cost for snow tubing is $12 per person.  You can also bring along extra money for concessions or hot chocolate if you want.  Friends and Host Families are welcome to join us - look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks for coming to the Apple Orchard!

Posted by: tkapaun on October 15, 2009

Cold Weather Doesn’t Keep Us Away!

Host families and au pairs came out to Apple Jack Orchards and had pony rides, wagon rides, picked apples, ate yummy carmel apples (and more) and experienced a great fall day in MN.

October Host Family and Au Pair Event!

Posted by: tkapaun on September 23, 2009

Good Old Fashioned Apple Picking!

Join us on October 11th at the Apple Jack Orchards in Delano  from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. for apple picking, wagon rides, pony rides, corn maze and more!  There is a bakery and cafe on site for lunch if you want to have a picnic lunch and enjoy the fall colors around you.  The corn maze is five acres and this years theme is HEAD WEST!

There is no admission charge to come to the orchard.  Prices are as follows for miscellaneous activities if you choose:  Corn Maze for ages 6 yrs and older is $6.00; Apple Cannon is three shots for $1.00; Cow train rides are $2.00/ride;  Pony rides $4.00 each.  Apples and bakery items vary and there is also a kiddie play area.  For more information and directions visit their website at

http://www.applejackorchards.com/

for directions and more information.

Father Hennepin Parade - Host Family and Au Pair Event

Posted by: tkapaun on June 10, 2009

Father Hennepin Parade!

Thanks to all you wonderful au pairs, host kid, and host mom Tracy for a all those great smiles at the parade!  We went through a ton of candy, 500 stickers, tattoos and 300 fliers!

If you are looking for somthing to do this weekend the Father Hennepin Festival runs all weekend and you can enjoy carnival rides, live music, and more!  Visit the website for a schedule of events: http://www.fatherhennepinfestival.com/Home_Page.php

When: Friday evening June 12th through Sunday June 14th.

Mark Your Calendar - 2009 Au Pair/Host Family Events!

Posted by: tkapaun on March 22, 2009

March 29th - 2:45 p.m. at Tracie’s house for Kids First Fundraiser

April 19th - Laser Tag at Brunswick!

Saturday May 16th at 9:30 a.m.-  Tracie’s House…Continuing Education

June 12th at 5:00 p.m. - Host Family and Au Pair Event - Father Hennepin Parade.  Wear your blue shirts!

July 19th  at 4:00 p.m. - Scavenger Hunt at Como Zoo - be there by 4 p.m. so you can get registered and have time to earn the most points for prizes!

August 12th at 6:30 p.m.- Sorry, this event has been changed!  This will be an Au pair only event and we will be going Mini Golfing.  An Evite will go out this week.  Sorry for the confusion and changes.

September 13th - Event not yet planned, check back for more details!

October 11th - Pumpkin Patch/Apple Orchard - Host Families Welcome

November 22nd - Continuing Education/Potluck

December 18th - THIS IS A FRIDAY NIGHT, trying to keep your schedules open for the holidays!  Cookie Exchange/Cookie Decorating!

Fall Dates are tentative, subject to change depending on the event.

March Kids First Fundraiser Event

Posted by: tkapaun on February 18, 2009

Kids First Fundraiser!  Thanks for coming out and enjoying some great food and raising funds for Cultural Care Kids First at the same time.   We were able to raise $48 for Kids First.

Sabrina and Anna

Samples for everyone!

Sarah and Katrina

LCC Barb and Sonia sampling some Tastefully Simple

Looking Ahead to Host Family Events!

Posted by: tkapaun on February 9, 2009

Hello Host Families,

Remember as a Cultural Care Au Pair Host Family you must attend at least one event each year!  Two events that are coming up for you to put on your calendar are listed here.

March 29th - 3 p.m. at Tracie’s house.  Kids First Fundraiser - Tastefully Simple Party

June 12th - 5:30 p.m. Champlin Father Hennepin Parade - bring the kids and hand out candy and fliers for Cultural Care!  Let me know if you are coming and I will make sure you have a T-Shirt!

Quotes from Host Parents regarding their Au Pairs!

Posted by: tkapaun on December 5, 2008

I wanted to pass along some positive comments I have heard recently from host families in MN!

“We love (our AP)!! She is so good
with the kids and so kind, patient, and
respectful. She is
just awesome. The kids seem much calmer lately too, which
is so nice. (She) even bought me flowers! from HM

“Our au pair is wonderful with the kids, so patient and the boys love him!” from HM

Please send me any feedback you have about your au pairs, and au pairs I am always interested in your thoughts too!