Au Pair USA Pledges to Keep Program Fees Low in 2010

Despite the increasing cost of childcare nationwide, the price of the Au Pair USA live-in childcare program will not increase in 2010. In fact, for current Host families who are renewing their participation in the program through next year, Au Pair USA is now offering a new $500 discount off the program fees. This means that reapplying families will actually pay less in 2010 than they did in 2009. Host families who wish to have their current au pair extend beyond the original 12-month program length are eligible for over $2,000 savings off the normal Program Fees. These new savings makes Au Pair USA one of the most affordable childcare options available.

Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

InterExchange is deeply saddened by the tragedy and suffering in Haiti. Relief and recovery will be a long process, and aid organizations in Haiti need your support. We’ve posted a link on our home page where you can donate to the Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti, or visit http://www.icrc.org/eng

InterExchange Au Pair USA Announces Two “Au Pairs of the Year” for 2010

InterExchange Au Pair USA has selected two winners for their annual “Au Pair of the Year” contest. Mayumi Yano of Japan and João Eduardo Girona of Brazil will share the 2010 Au Pair of the Year title.

Au pairs from around the country were nominated by their host families. Mayumi Yano, a 24-year old from Musashi, Japan, has been an au pair with the Cahill family of New Jersey. Her host mother, Bevin Cahill wrote, “Within minutes of meeting her, literally minutes, we knew that she would be not only a perfect fit for our family, but a life-long friend.”

João Eduardo Girona, a 24-year old student from Tapiratiba, Brazil, has been an au pair for the McManus Family of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for over a year. 12-year-old Ali McManus wrote, “João brings laughter into our family. He was our first male au pair and we did a good job picking him. I have three top au pairs, and he is at the tippy-top. I will miss João so much when he leaves and goes back to Brazil.”

Both winners have already been awarded cash prizes and a trip to New York City in November, where they were presented their awards at the Au Pair USA Annual Conference. “This is an annual award,” says Michael McHugh, Director of InterExchange Au Pair USA, “but it’s the first time we literally could not choose one Au pair of the Year. Both candidates’ essays showed those dimensions of the au pair program that are so hard to describe. Their words were filled with love, respect, gratitude. I’m thrilled that we had so many outstanding candidates this year. Mayumi and João were at the top of a very long list.”

Both InterExchange Au Pair of the Year winners are now also nominated for the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) Au Pair of the Year Award, which will be announced in Miami, Florida during the IAPA Annual Conference in March 2010.

Top Tips to Staying Healthy this Holiday Season

We’re in the middle of flu season. Have you had your flu shot yet? What about your H1N1 vaccination? Wonder how to keep healthy? Confused? Au Pair USA is here to help!

Our top 5 tips on how to stay healthy over the holidays:

1. Wash your hands often or use a hand sanitizer. This is the best and easiest way to stay healthy, especially if other people around you have the flu.

2. Use sanitizer wipes or sprays to clean surfaces that many people touch everyday. Sanitize infant and toddler toys using non-toxic cleansers. Read more on how to Safely Sanitize Toys at http://www.ehow.com/how_4741477_safely-sanitize-childrens-toys.html

3. Eat healthily! Eat as many fruits, vegetables, yogurt and fish as you can to boost your immune system, or try to take a multi-vitamin every day.

4. Stay active and exercise!

5. Get enough sleep. Even during the busy holiday season, you should try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

The insurance you have with Au Pair USA does not cover the seasonal flu or H1N1 vaccination shot, but your Local Coordinator will be able to help you find out where you can get vaccinated. Don’t forget, if you care for infants under the age of 6 months, you should get the H1N1 flu shot. And remember, don’t spread your germs! Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow and try to avoid close contact with others if you feel sick yourself.

For more information about flu season and how to stay healthy, check out: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

10 Tips for Sharing the Holidays with your Au Pair

The Holiday Season is such an exciting time of the year for your family it may be easy to forget or not notice that your au pair probably feels a little bit homesick. Remember that your au pair is far away from their own family and friends during this important time of the year and that may leave them a little blue.

Here are 10 tips on how to make your au pair feel welcome during the holidays:

Au Pairs Use Life-Saving Training Techniques to Save Two Children

One of the biggest benefits of Au Pair USA is our comprehensive, hands-on First Aid and CPR training for new au pairs during our Orientation and Training Program in New York City . The quality and importance of this training was seen in action this past year when not one–but two–InterExchange au pairs saved the children in their care from choking. Here are their stories.

IAPA Board Elects One of Our Own!

Congratulations to Michael McHugh, Program Director of InterExchange Au Pair USA, who was elected to the Executive Board of the International Au Pair Association (IAPA). During Michael’s three-year term, he’ll help provide leadership and direction for the Denmark-based association, which was founded in 1994 to promote international standards for au pair agencies.