Susan Wildeboer

Hot Apple Crisp, Ice Cream & Fresh Lemonade for our January meeting!

Posted by: swildeboer on January 28, 2010

What is better when the weather is cold and rainy than something hot and tasty from the oven? That’s what we all enjoyed at this month’s au pair meeting. Most of my au pairs, from Mountain View and Los Altos, had heard of apple crisp and a few had tasted it, but did not know how to make it. So we made my families “secret” recipe and had a great time eating hot apple crisp and ice cream! As an added treat we made fresh lemonade from the “sweet” lemons in my backyard.

First, we used the “apple - peeler - corer - slicer” to prepare the apples. Several girls had a “turn” and it was a lot of fun. Then we made the oatmeal and brown sugar spice topping. Others tried their hand with the electric juicer to extract lemon juice. Viviana didn’t really want to try. I told her she would find it fun. Then she said, “Ok, just one.” Four lemons later, she let someone else have a turn. A little sugar, water and a few stirs to make fresh, refreshing lemonade.

While the apple crisp baked in the oven we played dominoes. I taught them a game called Mexican Train, which everyone enjoyed and hoped to play again. When the apple crisp came out of oven we served it up with ice cream and everyone decided it was a deeeeelicious! They all want the recipe, so my secret recipe has now gone international!

Getting an au pair is more affordable than ever!

Posted by: swildeboer on January 17, 2010

Our host families spoke, and we listened. The economy had an impact on everyone last year. Many families faced new financial challenges, but in the end, they still needed flexible, affordable childcare. As a result, Cultural Care Au Pair has created several new payment options that help lower the initial cost for welcoming an au pair into their home in the New Year. Along with this exciting new change, we are also keeping our prices the same for the second year in a row!

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!