LOCAL CHILDCARE COORDINATOR, JENNIFER FRUEH ATTENDS CULTURAL CARE AU PAIR INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT IN BERLIN, GERMANY
In honor of the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall
Sterling, VA, November, 2009 - Local Sterling resident Jennifer Frueh was recently invited to join more than 75 of her peers at an international summit in Berlin, Germany, hosted by Cultural Care Au Pair. Frueh is a Cultural Care Au Pair local childcare coordinator for Sterling, Potomac Falls, and Lansdowne.
As a local childcare coordinator, Jennifer supports area families who are currently hosting an international au pair in their home, as well as the au pairs themselves. Jennifer earned her invitation to the summit by expanding the program in VA in the previous year, as well as for her role as a local community resource for parents interested in intercultural childcare.
The group was in Berlin for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a fitting venue for the celebration of Cultural Care Au Pair’s 20 years of providing a childcare and cultural exchange program for American families. “It was fascinating to be part of the celebrations and hear from Berliners about what it was like before the wall came down,” says Frueh. “It’s incredible to think that just 20 years ago, it would not have been possible for some of my German au pairs to come to the United States. The dismantling of the wall shattered cultural and travel barriers for them. ”
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, also in Berlin for the celebration, spoke at the U.S. Embassy. “It is such a great personal privilege to be joining with the German people, and people throughout Europe and the world, to celebrate this occasion…to commemorate that day 20 years ago when the Berlin Wall gave way to a new era of peace in a united Germany, in a united Europe…We’re celebrating the triumph of democracy and freedom, and the important role of the German-U.S. relationship.”
Jennifer is a member of a nationwide network of more than 600 local childcare coordinators dedicated to promoting global understanding through intercultural childcare. In addition to supporting a local group of host families and their au pairs, Jennifer organizes social activities throughout the program year, advises au pairs on educational opportunities in the community and provides advice on intercultural exchange. Jennifer and her colleagues use the conference as an opportunity to network with other coordinators and collaborate on the most effective means to support their families and au pairs locally, ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved with the program.
Jennifer is currently matching area parents who are interested in hosting an au pair with available au pairs from around the world. She can be contacted at 703-798-6059 for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. Interested families may also visit Jennifer’s web site at jfrueh.aupairnews.com.
Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 70,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes. A U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit www.culturalcare.com or call 800-333-6056.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weak Economy Leads to Strong Demand For Au Pairs
CONTACT: Jennifer Frueh
Local Childcare Coordinator
Cultural Care Au Pair
703-798-6059
WEAK ECONOMY LEADS TO STRONG DEMAND FOR AU PAIRS
More Working Mothers Looking for An affordable Childcare Option
Sterling, VA July 10, 2009 -- One consequence of the current economic crisis is that more mothers are working. More new moms are remaining in the workforce and at-home mothers who had decided to put their careers on hold are having to return to work. With an increase in dual income households comes an increase in the demand for quality childcare.
In some cases, this rising demand is driving up childcare costs. According to a recent report by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the price of child care is rising faster than the average rate of inflation. The report, which provides typical prices of child care in centers, reveals that over the course of a year, the average price of full-time center care increased an average of 6.5 percent, almost three times the rate of inflation and more than increases in healthcare and college costs. Escalating childcare costs is having the greatest effect on the nanny business. A recent Wall Street Journal article estimated that full time nanny hiring is down between ten to thirty percent.
One childcare program, however, has been able to meet the growing demand for childcare with an affordable option for working parents. Cultural Care Au Pair is a childcare and cultural exchange program based in Cambridge, MA, that places au pairs across the country including au pairs in Loudoun County. Demand for au pairs is growing. Data from the U.S. Department of State, which regulates the au pair program, shows that nearly 22,000 au pairs came to the United States last year, up 44% from 2004. With hundreds of available, qualified au pairs, Cultural Care is able to meet the needs of families looking for quality childcare.
“Although the demand for au pairs is strong, we understand that affordable childcare is an economic necessity for our current and potential host families,” says David Fougere, President of Cultural Care Au Pair. “We have taken some major steps to help families in these tough economic times. While other au pair programs and other types of childcare are raising their fees, we are holding our prices at 2008 levels for 2009. We have also adjusted our payment plan and reduced the initial deposit so the upfront costs are more manageable. And, we will be offering greater discounts to both new and repeat families throughout the year so many families will be paying even less than they paid last year.”
Jennifer Frueh, local coordinator for Cultural Care in Sterling and Potomac Falls, has seen an increased interest in the au pair program among local families. “If you have two or three children, there really is no comparison. The cost of the program is about $320 per week and that’s per family, not per child,” Frueh says. “Au pairs can provide up to 45 hours per week of child care which works out to be less than $7.50 per hour, regardless of how many children you have.”
Jennifer Frueh also states that families are looking at more than just the costs. “In this current economic climate people are looking for flexibility as well as affordability. Cost conscious parents need to be creative with their childcare solutions as parents take on additional jobs or work longer hours.” The au pair program is an attractive option because it allows parents to set a schedule that works for them on a weekly basis, provides in-home care for their children and introduces children to other cultures.
The Greenspan family recently turned to the au pair program not only for the affordability but also for the flexibility and exposure to other cultures that the program offers. Jill Greenspan, a real estate executive with three school aged children, says, “As our kids were getting older and our careers becoming more demanding, we needed more flexibility than our nanny could provide. Also, having studied abroad and travelled internationally, we recognize the importance of exposing our children to other cultures and languages.”
Local families interested in learning more about the au pair program can contact Jennifer Frueh at Jennifer.frueh@lcc.culturalcare.com or visit www.jfrueh.aupairnews.com for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. http://www.culturalcare.com
Local Childcare Coordinator
Cultural Care Au Pair
703-798-6059
WEAK ECONOMY LEADS TO STRONG DEMAND FOR AU PAIRS
More Working Mothers Looking for An affordable Childcare Option
Sterling, VA July 10, 2009 -- One consequence of the current economic crisis is that more mothers are working. More new moms are remaining in the workforce and at-home mothers who had decided to put their careers on hold are having to return to work. With an increase in dual income households comes an increase in the demand for quality childcare.
In some cases, this rising demand is driving up childcare costs. According to a recent report by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the price of child care is rising faster than the average rate of inflation. The report, which provides typical prices of child care in centers, reveals that over the course of a year, the average price of full-time center care increased an average of 6.5 percent, almost three times the rate of inflation and more than increases in healthcare and college costs. Escalating childcare costs is having the greatest effect on the nanny business. A recent Wall Street Journal article estimated that full time nanny hiring is down between ten to thirty percent.
One childcare program, however, has been able to meet the growing demand for childcare with an affordable option for working parents. Cultural Care Au Pair is a childcare and cultural exchange program based in Cambridge, MA, that places au pairs across the country including au pairs in Loudoun County. Demand for au pairs is growing. Data from the U.S. Department of State, which regulates the au pair program, shows that nearly 22,000 au pairs came to the United States last year, up 44% from 2004. With hundreds of available, qualified au pairs, Cultural Care is able to meet the needs of families looking for quality childcare.
“Although the demand for au pairs is strong, we understand that affordable childcare is an economic necessity for our current and potential host families,” says David Fougere, President of Cultural Care Au Pair. “We have taken some major steps to help families in these tough economic times. While other au pair programs and other types of childcare are raising their fees, we are holding our prices at 2008 levels for 2009. We have also adjusted our payment plan and reduced the initial deposit so the upfront costs are more manageable. And, we will be offering greater discounts to both new and repeat families throughout the year so many families will be paying even less than they paid last year.”
Jennifer Frueh, local coordinator for Cultural Care in Sterling and Potomac Falls, has seen an increased interest in the au pair program among local families. “If you have two or three children, there really is no comparison. The cost of the program is about $320 per week and that’s per family, not per child,” Frueh says. “Au pairs can provide up to 45 hours per week of child care which works out to be less than $7.50 per hour, regardless of how many children you have.”
Jennifer Frueh also states that families are looking at more than just the costs. “In this current economic climate people are looking for flexibility as well as affordability. Cost conscious parents need to be creative with their childcare solutions as parents take on additional jobs or work longer hours.” The au pair program is an attractive option because it allows parents to set a schedule that works for them on a weekly basis, provides in-home care for their children and introduces children to other cultures.
The Greenspan family recently turned to the au pair program not only for the affordability but also for the flexibility and exposure to other cultures that the program offers. Jill Greenspan, a real estate executive with three school aged children, says, “As our kids were getting older and our careers becoming more demanding, we needed more flexibility than our nanny could provide. Also, having studied abroad and travelled internationally, we recognize the importance of exposing our children to other cultures and languages.”
Local families interested in learning more about the au pair program can contact Jennifer Frueh at Jennifer.frueh@lcc.culturalcare.com or visit www.jfrueh.aupairnews.com for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. http://www.culturalcare.com
Au Pair Videos
Contact: Jennifer Frueh
Local Childcare Coordinator
Cultural Care Au Pair
703-798-6059
Jfrueh.aupairnews.com
AuPairTube: Agency launches website with au pair videos
Sterling, VA July 10, 2009 – With the boom in online video and new uses for it appearing all the time, one au pair agency has found a unique application for videos – aupairvideos.com, a website highlighting videos of au pairs who are looking for host families in the U.S. Families interested in this unique childcare option, can now get a more personal look at the candidates they are considering. While host families have been able to view photos and profiles of available au pairs online for some time, this is the first time families in the selection process can watch video produced by au pairs. This exclusive website, hosted by industry leader Cultural Care Au Pair, provides au pair candidates with the opportunity to show their motivation and personality that simply can’t be interpreted from a paper application or a telephone interview.
In the videos, au pair candidates talk about why they want to be pairs, and the activities they hope to do with their future host children. They share what kind of childcare experience they have as well as their personal interests and skills. Many of the videos are truly creative, including ones that feature photos of au pairs with the children they care for and set to music native to their home countries. One au pair includes footage of herself driving and cooking to show her potential host family how skilled she is in these areas.
“Our au pair videos not only provide families with another way to get to know the au pair candidate they are considering, they also answer an increased demand for online video,” says Jennifer Frueh, local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care. According to a report released last month by The Nielsen Company about the global online landscape, the number of American users frequenting online video destinations has climbed 339 percent since 2003 and time spent on video sites has shot up almost 2,000 percent over the same period. In March, internet information provider, comScore released a report revealing that 77.8 percent of the total U.S. internet audience viewed online video. “Our families use the internet and online videos regularly as research tools and the response to au pair videos has been extremely positive,” says Jennifer Frueh.
Jennifer is currently interviewing area parents who are interested in hosting an au pair. She can be contacted at 703-798-6059 for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. Interested families may also visit jfrueh.aupairnews.com or www.culturalcare.com.
Local Childcare Coordinator
Cultural Care Au Pair
703-798-6059
Jfrueh.aupairnews.com
AuPairTube: Agency launches website with au pair videos
Sterling, VA July 10, 2009 – With the boom in online video and new uses for it appearing all the time, one au pair agency has found a unique application for videos – aupairvideos.com, a website highlighting videos of au pairs who are looking for host families in the U.S. Families interested in this unique childcare option, can now get a more personal look at the candidates they are considering. While host families have been able to view photos and profiles of available au pairs online for some time, this is the first time families in the selection process can watch video produced by au pairs. This exclusive website, hosted by industry leader Cultural Care Au Pair, provides au pair candidates with the opportunity to show their motivation and personality that simply can’t be interpreted from a paper application or a telephone interview.
In the videos, au pair candidates talk about why they want to be pairs, and the activities they hope to do with their future host children. They share what kind of childcare experience they have as well as their personal interests and skills. Many of the videos are truly creative, including ones that feature photos of au pairs with the children they care for and set to music native to their home countries. One au pair includes footage of herself driving and cooking to show her potential host family how skilled she is in these areas.
“Our au pair videos not only provide families with another way to get to know the au pair candidate they are considering, they also answer an increased demand for online video,” says Jennifer Frueh, local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care. According to a report released last month by The Nielsen Company about the global online landscape, the number of American users frequenting online video destinations has climbed 339 percent since 2003 and time spent on video sites has shot up almost 2,000 percent over the same period. In March, internet information provider, comScore released a report revealing that 77.8 percent of the total U.S. internet audience viewed online video. “Our families use the internet and online videos regularly as research tools and the response to au pair videos has been extremely positive,” says Jennifer Frueh.
Jennifer is currently interviewing area parents who are interested in hosting an au pair. She can be contacted at 703-798-6059 for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. Interested families may also visit jfrueh.aupairnews.com or www.culturalcare.com.
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