It’s Census Time - How do I count my au pair?

Posted by: tkapaun on March 16, 2010

As you are filling out your census forms for the 2010 census some host families are wondering should they count their au pair on the census. Here is the recommendation:

In the first section where it asks about household members there’s a separate box for live in babysitters and others who may live in the home but may not be members of the family and that’s where an au pair can be counted.

If you have any further queistons you can go to the census website at

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

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.

Holiday Happenings in the Minneapolis Metro

Posted by: tkapaun on December 8, 2009

Looking for some fun things to do during the holiday season in Minneapolis?  Well, here are some of the things that I have come across.  Now that the snow is falling it is really beginning to look like Christmas!

The Holidazzle Parade - Downtown Minneapolis Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. between 12th and 4th streets on Nicollet Mall.  Runs through December 20th.  Bundle up the family and head downtown!  www.holidazzle.com or call 612-376-snow for more information!

Before or After the Parade be sure to visit the “Day in the Life of an Elf” at the Macy’s 8th floor auditorium. Runs through December 31st and it is free! http://www.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=search&storeId=902

Macy’s is also celebrating National Believe Day on December 11th.  In honor of the movie Yes, Virginia - if your name is Virginia you can get at $10 gift card for Macy’s!  Visit  http://www.macys.com/r61×45_virginias_popup.jsp?cm_sp=NONE-_-ABOVE_NAV_POOL-_-ADVERTISEMENT%20–%20510004%20–%20120809_gna_call_virginias for more details!

Nature Hike with Santa - for ages 3-9.  cost is $3-$6.  Decorate your own letter to Santa and and ornament.  Make an edible ornament for the squirrels.  1-3 p.m. Sat. Dec. 12 and Sunday Dec. 13th.  Eastman Nature Center, Elm Creek Park.  763-559-6700  www.threeriversparkdistrict.org

Folkways of the Holidays - discover the holiday traditions of the 19th century!  Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. December 13th.  The Landing in Shakopee.  www.threeriversparkdistrict.org

Winter skate Ice Skating Rink - Rice Park St. Paul - Free.  651-266-6400

Interested in a little holiday dinner theater - try the Season’s Restaurant at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Blaine. This year’s holiday production is “Lets Scrap Christmas” - This is a dinner theater so dinner is included in the price of the ticket.  Visit http://www.theseasonsatbunkerhills.com/dinner-theater/purchase-tickets for more information and to order tickets.

Check back often for more additions to the list!

Cultural Care Online Resources for Host Families!

Posted by: tkapaun on September 3, 2009

There are two new resources out there for host families offered by Cultural Care Au Pair.  I hope you will take advantage of them and use them as a resource to get questions answered and get support from our staff.

First we have Au Pair Answer Mom which can be found at

http://www.youtube.com/culturalcare

This is a series of videos that have been created by our own Susan Robinson who has hosted nine au pairs and has been a staff member for 13 years!  She has some wonderful advice and ideas for hosting an au pair successfully.

Secondly - our newest site just launched.  It is our Cultural Care Community Support Forum.  It can be found at

http://community.culturalcare.com/culturalcare?from_gsfn=true

This is a place for families to ask questions and get support from other host families and staff.  Check it out!

Visit Stroller Strides in Maple Grove - Grand Opening

Posted by: tkapaun on May 6, 2009

Grand Opening of Stroller Strides in Maple Grove Saturday May 9th at 9:00 a.m.!

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for new moms that they can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller. Classes are taught by specially trained instructors.

I will be there to represent Cultural Care Au Pair for new parents looking for child care options.

Take a moment to check them out at:  http://classes.strollerstrides.net/jnjfitness/location/index.aspx

Happy Mother’s Day to All Those Wonderful Host Moms!

Posted by: tkapaun on May 6, 2009

Happy Mother’s Day

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day to host mom’s everywhere.  Not only are you awesome moms to your own kids but you also play an important role as a host mom to your au pair.  I have gotten a lot of wonderful comments from au pairs on their terrific host moms and wanted to tell you that I appreciate each and every one of you!  Have a great Day - You deserve it!

Au Pairs in the News

Posted by: tkapaun on February 12, 2009

Here is a link to a photo of Vanessa, Adriana, Sandra, and Natlia tubing at Elm Creek!  http://startribune.mycapture.com/mycapture/photos/JXImage.aspx?ImageID=470341&EventID=520391&CategoryID=38962&CollectionID=0&Sort=

Father Hennepin Parade was a lot of fun!

Posted by: tkapaun on June 23, 2008

Thanks to those au pairs and host families that came out to spread the word about Cultural Care Au Pair!

We had a wonderful group of representatives from Cultural Care hand out candy, balloons, tattoos, fliers and more to many eager children and their parents at the Father Hennepin Parade on June 13th!  Thanks for all your help.