Question: Who is responsible to get the AP to school?

So, there is so much information - that sometimes it is hard to get through it all. One of the main things that au pairs get to do is to go to school while they are here in the US. Each au pair is required to take 6 credits - or 72 classroom hours - during the year they are here.

It is the responsibility of a host family to pay for up to $500 of tuition, books and supplies towards the educational requirement. A host family is also responsible to get the au pair to and from their classes during the year. That can be by driving them to and from class, or letting them use the car to get to class. Giving bus fare doesn't count - they have to provide the transportation to get to and from the class (as well as their monthly meetings).

The other transportation responsibility of the host family is to get the au pair to the monthly au pair meetings (sign in meetings).

Tulips

We had a great trip to the tulips with Juliana, Peter, Ivona and Angie - and Lucy from Seattle! It was a ton of fun, very pretty day - and not too much rain. We met up with Ryan and Maugi for just a few minutes - and they were off. I'll post the pretty pictures later....

CCAP featured on front page of local paper

Guess who made the front page just a week ago? One of the local LCC's, talking about au pairs as a great way to have childcare and an international experience!

Talking to You: Happy Mothers Day

On Sunday, May 11th, mothers across the country will be honored with special breakfasts, flowers, cards, and other treats as families say thank you for the special love that only a mom can provide to her family. While moms play a major role in their own family, they also play an important role in our Cultural Care Au Pair family as well.

Mother’s Day is celebrated at different times throughout the world and in different ways, so sending out this kind of message can be a great way to share an aspect of American culture and tradition with them. The history of Mother’s Day can be found on the following Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother.

Here are some great websites for the au pairs to check out to help them come up with some crafty ways to help their host children honor their mommy in celebration of Mother’s Day:

• http://www.mothersdayideas.org/


• http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/holiday_mothersday.htmhttp://www.dltk-holidays.com/mom/index.htmlhttp://www.dltk-holidays.com/mom/index.html


• http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/minisite/mothers-day-main-ms/


• http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/mothers-day/index.html

To Skype or not to Skype

Well - first off, I have to make the note that I love Microsoft. And because of that love, I fall on the side of "not to Skype". Why pay hard earned money for credits to call international, when all it takes is instant messenger (pick your flavor) and a webcam with a microphone?

And - it's cheap. For $20-40 of initial investment for each PC, you have what ever you need to talk overseas with no additional charges!

Cell Phones

Ok. So - cell phones may just be what the the world revolves around. Or maybe, at least the center of the universe for anyone over 14. However, the rules of cell phone engagement are different in the US compared to the rest of the world. So - according to Viivi, here they are - in no particular order:

Texting - you can't do unlimited texting - it actually can cost alot in the US. You actually have to pay (use minutes) if someone is texting you here. Some cell plans can add unlimited texting - talk to your HF about adding a text plan if you need it.

Calls - you pay for both incoming and outgoing calls. Back at home, it was only the outgoing calls that we paid for. This can cost a lot of minutes if you aren't careful.

Calls from home - they should call the home phone, not your cell phone. The home phone is free (basically) and won't cost anything for an incoming call...

Home phone - if you are home, use the your HF phone for calls - it doesn't cost like your cell phone will. They pay a flat rate for having the phone, and local calls are free. Some plans make US long distance pretty cheap, so check with your HF about that too.

Voice mail - Set up your voice mail box and leave a message "Hi, this is Viivi.." and know how to pick up your voice mail. In the US, everyone leaves messages for you, so know how to access the VM on your phone.

Contact List - many HF's just pass down a cell phone from AP to AP. Be sure they have helped to program in all of the most important numbers into the phone. Doctor, dentist, school office, all parent contact numbers, and more...

If you have to get your own phone, think about what you need. There are two ways to get phones in the US. You can sign up with a major carrier, and get a phone and a plan. If you do a lot of calling, this may be the way to go. You'll have to sign a one-year contract, but since you are here for a year, it may work out.



There are also pre-paid phones that you can get. Get the phone, and then purchase pre-paid cards from retailers to restock the phone with minutes. Convenient, and pay as you go, but it usually winds up being a lot more expensive than other plans.



And, once you have a phone, remember to let your LCC know your number, along with your family - so they can get ahold of you!

Calling Cards

There are lots of calling cards to use. We've had great luck with Union Telecard. They have a Europe Blue card that has worked well - try it out...

CCAP Marketing Video

Starbucks

Well, one of the first things to learn about is that everyone around here loves their coffee. And they love their hometown coffee company Starbucks -- and if you are a local au pair, you love Starbucks on Tuesday night.

Every Tuesday, sometime after 8p au pair's from all different agencies gather at the local Starbucks in downtown Bellevue. It's a great time to meet new folks, find other AP's from your own country, or from CCAP, or just someone new to meet. Chances are, if they are under 25, they are AP's.


The address is located at:


3 Bellevue Cntr, 601 108th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Social Security Cards

Well, we have gotten by just fine without getting a social card for any of my au pairs yet. However, there are situations that would making having the number easier: registering for school, going to urgent care or the doctor, etc.

We are lucky - the closest SSA office is located in downtown Bellevue. Again, get there early for fast processing. The local office is located at:

Ste 301, 505 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004(800) 772-1213
Get directions

Here is a quick fact sheet from SSA on social security cards, how to apply, etc.

Drivers License

Usually the first thing that folks ask about is how to get their WA state license. About half of the insurance companies seem to require a WA state license in order to insure a driver.

The WA State Department of Licensing oversee's the issuing of a license. If you are lucky driver, with an international license from the countries listed below - all you need to do is walk in and get a license.

• Germany

If you are not included in my not neccesarily comprehensive list above, you will have to take both a written test and pass a driving test in order to get your license. Luckily the state has a great website with information.

If you are not going to drive, I recommend a WA State ID - which you can use in place of your passport.

There are also online tests to practice before you head over to one of the local test locations. I'd recommend passing at 90% or greater, since the actual tests are a bit harder.

You can pick up a Drivers Guide at the different Eastside test locations. While you can pick up your guide anywhere, when you go to take the test, we have had a lot of issues with the Kirkland location. Just skip them. I've had good luck with Bellevue, and North Bend.

Here is the list of local offices:

• Bellevue
• Bothell
• Kirkland
• North Bend
• Renton

This website rocks - it shows the local offices, has directions on how to get to them, and even shows the wait times in the lobby. My recommendation: be at the front door waiting in line when they open.

New to the AP Blog world

I'm a new LCC for an AP agency. For those who don't know what an AP is, an AP is an Au Pair - usually a student from another country who comes and lives with a host family, becomes one of the family, goes to school - and does up to 45 hours a week of childcare for a family.

I'm hoping to make things easier for my AP's by offering information on things to do in the Seattle/Bellevue area, how get get around - and how to get things done. Comment if you want some information - and I'll get it covered!