Comments on: EduCare or Regular Au Pair? http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/ Helping Host Parents and Au Pairs build great relationships. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:48:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Taking a Computer Lunch http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19722 Taking a Computer Lunch Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:31:39 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19722 Actually in my state it is illegal for APs to register online. One community college in my area offers in-state tuition for APs (which makes it almost affordable), for which I sign an employer document. My guess is that communities rich in APs are more accustomed to dealing with them. I agree with you that weekend college programs geared toward au pairs are not a good value - they are extremely expensive for the CEUs that they offer and leave nothing left over when APs try to complete their mandatorys CEUs/credits/hours. Many of my APs have built a strong network of non-AP friends from classwork. Actually in my state it is illegal for APs to register online. One community college in my area offers in-state tuition for APs (which makes it almost affordable), for which I sign an employer document. My guess is that communities rich in APs are more accustomed to dealing with them.

I agree with you that weekend college programs geared toward au pairs are not a good value – they are extremely expensive for the CEUs that they offer and leave nothing left over when APs try to complete their mandatorys CEUs/credits/hours. Many of my APs have built a strong network of non-AP friends from classwork.

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]]> By: Previous Host Mom & Previous LCC http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19717 Previous Host Mom & Previous LCC Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:03:45 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19717 As both a previous host mom and LCC I understand the frustration of finding college classes that qualify for credits and affordable. We stopped hosting au pairs because our children were in school full time & we really only needed summer care....of course it was right when the summer program stopped also. There are a few options that I found for the group of au pairs I had (and my own). First, check your local Vocational schools that offer adult classes. Surprisingly enough most are accredited post-secondary schools and do qualify for the courses. Next, have your au pair register for class online - not an online course - their Social Security Cards say for work only....this is why most schools give them a hard time registering. In addition, they should have their drivers license before going to class to show they are "residents" and don't get charged out of country rates. It's hard enough for Americans to figure out registering for classes let alone an au pair - the host families or LCC's really need to help. Lastly, go online and look up the teachers name for the class and email. Send an email directly to the teacher (I had made up a form letter that the au pairs used and filled in the teachers name and class name and times) explaining that they need 60-72 hours of class time for their visa. It requested permission to sit in on the class without being registered if there was room, as they didn't need the credits as much as the hours. The only thing the au pair required from the teacher was a letter stating the au pair completed the course and how many hours/credits it was worth on college letter head. You would be surprised how many college professors were willing to allow au pairs to do this...... the first question I always get asked is what about College ID's. Some colleges will issue them for "auditing" students if the college allows it. If not, they simply paid for a continuing education class, got their ID and attending extra classes the teachers allowed them in. The stipend for classes isn't enough for the requirements and the weekend classes were all hated by the au pairs in my group....they all tried them at one point or another. The weekend classes don't give them the interaction with the other college students. It also gets them to meet new friends, and have other people to keep them busy on their off time. One of my worse experiences with au pairs as a host mom was trying to keep them entertained in addition to my own children. College classes got them out and meeting other people. As both a previous host mom and LCC I understand the frustration of finding college classes that qualify for credits and affordable. We stopped hosting au pairs because our children were in school full time & we really only needed summer care….of course it was right when the summer program stopped also.

There are a few options that I found for the group of au pairs I had (and my own). First, check your local Vocational schools that offer adult classes. Surprisingly enough most are accredited post-secondary schools and do qualify for the courses. Next, have your au pair register for class online – not an online course – their Social Security Cards say for work only….this is why most schools give them a hard time registering. In addition, they should have their drivers license before going to class to show they are “residents” and don’t get charged out of country rates. It’s hard enough for Americans to figure out registering for classes let alone an au pair – the host families or LCC’s really need to help. Lastly, go online and look up the teachers name for the class and email. Send an email directly to the teacher (I had made up a form letter that the au pairs used and filled in the teachers name and class name and times) explaining that they need 60-72 hours of class time for their visa. It requested permission to sit in on the class without being registered if there was room, as they didn’t need the credits as much as the hours. The only thing the au pair required from the teacher was a letter stating the au pair completed the course and how many hours/credits it was worth on college letter head. You would be surprised how many college professors were willing to allow au pairs to do this…… the first question I always get asked is what about College ID’s. Some colleges will issue them for “auditing” students if the college allows it. If not, they simply paid for a continuing education class, got their ID and attending extra classes the teachers allowed them in.

The stipend for classes isn’t enough for the requirements and the weekend classes were all hated by the au pairs in my group….they all tried them at one point or another. The weekend classes don’t give them the interaction with the other college students. It also gets them to meet new friends, and have other people to keep them busy on their off time. One of my worse experiences with au pairs as a host mom was trying to keep them entertained in addition to my own children. College classes got them out and meeting other people.

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]]> By: LuvCheetos http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19431 LuvCheetos Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:10:06 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19431 That's interesting. When we got our first Ap in the fall of 2008, we were told that Educare was not available in the DC area. We never inquired again, so they must have changed it since. I see the motivation advantage that others have mentioned, but I'm not sure that outweighs the disadvantages. Frankly, our APs have not been the most motivated people in the world, so maybe EduCare would help with that. In theory, an EduCare AP could probably do a better job helping my elementary kids with their homework. Our past APs have had a hard time with that, but I'm in the habit of going over it when I get home anyway, so we've worked around that. That’s interesting. When we got our first Ap in the fall of 2008, we were told that Educare was not available in the DC area. We never inquired again, so they must have changed it since. I see the motivation advantage that others have mentioned, but I’m not sure that outweighs the disadvantages. Frankly, our APs have not been the most motivated people in the world, so maybe EduCare would help with that. In theory, an EduCare AP could probably do a better job helping my elementary kids with their homework. Our past APs have had a hard time with that, but I’m in the habit of going over it when I get home anyway, so we’ve worked around that.

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]]> By: Taking a Computer Lunch http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19428 Taking a Computer Lunch Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:55:42 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19428 There are plenty of EduCares in the DC area (through APIA) - although it may depend on which cluster you are in. There are plenty of EduCares in the DC area (through APIA) – although it may depend on which cluster you are in.

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]]> By: NHM http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19427 NHM Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:07:41 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19427 LuvCheetos - I agree ... love of children is a given. But an AuPair without ambition is a poor role model (at least in my house) ... while most AuPairs are ambitious we have met the occasional one who (while loving children) lacked any ambition and thus did not serve us well as a role model for our older children, great for the little ones though! LuvCheetos – I agree … love of children is a given. But an AuPair without ambition is a poor role model (at least in my house) … while most AuPairs are ambitious we have met the occasional one who (while loving children) lacked any ambition and thus did not serve us well as a role model for our older children, great for the little ones though!

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]]> By: LuvCheetos http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19426 LuvCheetos Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:32:34 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19426 Also, I should add that I would prefer an AP that really likes children and wants to take care of children, not one who really wants to be an American college student and will merely put up with my kids as the "cost" of getting to go to school here. Also, I should add that I would prefer an AP that really likes children and wants to take care of children, not one who really wants to be an American college student and will merely put up with my kids as the “cost” of getting to go to school here.

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]]> By: LuvCheetos http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19425 LuvCheetos Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:31:25 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19425 FWIW, I was told by our LCC that many of the EduCare APs become disillusioned when they get here. They imagine it will be like being a regular exchange student, yet they can't get into the classes they want (language or credit transfer issues) or they can't afford them. I live in the DC area where they don't offer EduCare, so our LCC doesn't have tons of experience with it and it may be different in other areas. She told me they allowed it on a limited basis here and most of the APs weren't happy because it wasn't the robust school experience they were hoping for. FWIW, I was told by our LCC that many of the EduCare APs become disillusioned when they get here. They imagine it will be like being a regular exchange student, yet they can’t get into the classes they want (language or credit transfer issues) or they can’t afford them.

I live in the DC area where they don’t offer EduCare, so our LCC doesn’t have tons of experience with it and it may be different in other areas. She told me they allowed it on a limited basis here and most of the APs weren’t happy because it wasn’t the robust school experience they were hoping for.

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]]> By: NHM http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19424 NHM Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:50:46 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19424 I agree on the cost analysis. However, there may be a benefit to choosing an AuPair who is ambitious in her education. I envision this useful for school aged kids. Just a thought. I agree on the cost analysis. However, there may be a benefit to choosing an AuPair who is ambitious in her education. I envision this useful for school aged kids. Just a thought.

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]]> By: Newhostmom http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19423 Newhostmom Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:12:03 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19423 Definitely get that cost is not the only factor in deciding to get an au pair, just pointing out that on cost only, I think we'd go for another regular au pair and just have her work fewer hours rather than save just $35 a week for an Educare au pair. Not really getting the benefits of an Educare at all... Definitely get that cost is not the only factor in deciding to get an au pair, just pointing out that on cost only, I think we’d go for another regular au pair and just have her work fewer hours rather than save just $35 a week for an Educare au pair. Not really getting the benefits of an Educare at all…

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]]> By: anonmom http://AuPairMom.com/educare-or-regular-au-pair/2010/01/11/celiaharquail/comment-page-1/#comment-19409 anonmom Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:21:27 +0000 http://AuPairMom.com/?p=2392#comment-19409 Newhostmom, we decided last year to try the babysitter route rather than the au pair, because they were all in school. However, that was not the easiest route, nor the cheapest! One week I paid the babysitter $360. cash! for 'after school' and into the evening hours!! This, so I could take one child to one activity and the sitter to the other, and then decide which one of us took the 3rd child, or dropped that one off, too! Since none of the activities are the same time with different ages. Thankfully, one of our former au pairs was kind enough, after some nudging, and my paying her airfare, to come for 2 months through mid Dec, and I paid her to watch the kids. The day after she left, the sitter I hired texted me 10 minutes before the kids were to get off the bus, telling me she was not going to make it that day! 2 days later she told me she could not babysit the rest of the semester. Luckily, we managed with 2 different sitters thru June, when the same old au pair (in between school breaks) was able to return again for a good part of summer to visit, and care for the kids. Now, school is fast approaching and my husband and I are re-considering hosting an au pair again. I don't know how much babysitters are in your region, but by me it appears the average is $15. Then I need them to drive my kids, so I still need to keep the 3rd car. They won't do laundry for the kids and barely pick up after them, and there is alwayas the reliability issue! Add that to the prohibitive cost of summer camp (for 3 kids, 4 weeks, not including after care and transportation- costs $6,ooo average!!) So, the au pair route is looking more economical. As for Educare- it is still, in my mind, cheaper to forgo Educare Au Pair and opt for regular, both due to the flexibility in hours, more week-ends, sick time of kids, and the summer hours, and there are simply more 'regular' au pairs, and special needs au pairs than Edu Care. I wish you luck in your future child-care options! Newhostmom, we decided last year to try the babysitter route rather than the au pair, because they were all in school. However, that was not the easiest route, nor the cheapest! One week I paid the babysitter $360. cash! for ‘after school’ and into the evening hours!! This, so I could take one child to one activity and the sitter to the other, and then decide which one of us took the 3rd child, or dropped that one off, too! Since none of the activities are the same time with different ages. Thankfully, one of our former au pairs was kind enough, after some nudging, and my paying her airfare, to come for 2 months through mid Dec, and I paid her to watch the kids. The day after she left, the sitter I hired texted me 10 minutes before the kids were to get off the bus, telling me she was not going to make it that day! 2 days later she told me she could not babysit the rest of the semester.

Luckily, we managed with 2 different sitters thru June, when the same old au pair (in between school breaks) was able to return again for a good part of summer to visit, and care for the kids. Now, school is fast approaching and my husband and I are re-considering hosting an au pair again.

I don’t know how much babysitters are in your region, but by me it appears the average is $15. Then I need them to drive my kids, so I still need to keep the 3rd car. They won’t do laundry for the kids and barely pick up after them, and there is alwayas the reliability issue! Add that to the prohibitive cost of summer camp (for 3 kids, 4 weeks, not including after care and transportation- costs $6,ooo average!!) So, the au pair route is looking more economical. As for Educare- it is still, in my mind, cheaper to forgo Educare Au Pair and opt for regular, both due to the flexibility in hours, more week-ends, sick time of kids, and the summer hours, and there are simply more ‘regular’ au pairs, and special needs au pairs than Edu Care.

I wish you luck in your future child-care options!

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