Bringing International Childcare to Delaware!

On Sunday, April 15th, au pairs and host families from New Castle County were invited to attend a free community cultural event sponsored by People to People International. “Music, Art & Dance: A Multi-Cultural Program” was held in the auditorium of Cokesbury Village in Hockessin and introduced its audience to performing arts from around the globe.

The show opened with a performance by the Dragonfly Dance Club, a student group from the University of Delaware, who performed a traditional Chinese dance.

This was followed by music from Ukraine and Russia, performed by David Gesterak & Boris Polyakov.

American dance was also represented with hip-hop dance performances by students from the American Dance Academy in Hockessin.

The audience also got to experience live tae kwon do from Korea, demonstrated by the teaching masters from Tiger Kicks Martial Arts in Pike Creek.

Finally, the show ended with some Bollywood dancing from the Ishanya Dance Company.

Next year, we’ve been invited to include some performances by au pairs, to give the program a bit more international flair, so I look forward to seeing what’s in store!

The Delaware Safety Council offers classes in Adult CPR and First Aid, as well as both Classroom and Online Defensive Driving Courses.  The CPR and First Aid classes are about $50 each and the Defensive Driving courses are around $30.

These courses would NOT be eligible to count toward the au pair educational component requirements and the costs would not be able to be deducted from the $500 that host families put toward the au pair’s education, but they are available to families and au pairs who may have interest in taking them as additional safety precautions.  First Aid and CPR certifications are valid for 2 years and participants receive a Certification Card at the end of the course.  Defensive Driving courses can lower insurance rates (but check with your individual insurance provider for details on your family’s specific plan).

The Delaware Safety Council Training Center is located in New Castle.  For additional questions or for further information, call 302-276-0660.  Class schedules are also available at their website.

CPR and First Aid courses are also offered through the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, but those course average about $100.

Here is information regarding filing of income taxes for 2011.  This will apply to any au pair who earned a stipend during 2011.

This is all the information I am allowed to pass to along to you.  I have included Cultural Care’s information sheet below and I hope you will find this helpful; all au pairs received this at their 2 Week Orientation in their Welcome folder and host families AND au pairs all received a copy of this in their emails last week.

tax20information20final

If you do have further questions or concerns beyond what is provided in this document, you will need to contact a tax preparer or call the IRS directly.  The IRS can provide assistance in languages other than English as well, so that may be your best option.  This information can be found at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.

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While Cultural Care is not able to provide specific tax information for host families because their circumstances are so different, we are pleased to provide general guidelines regarding host family and au pair taxes, as well as information to help au pairs complete their tax returns.  Because we update these guidelines on a regular basis, we suggest that you download our most current guide to host family and au pair taxes.

Please note that Cultural Care is not licensed to provide official tax advice, so none of our staff may counsel host families or au pairs regarding tax issues.  Since tax laws vary from state to state and are changed on a frequent basis, we advise host families and au pairs to speak with a local professional tax advisor or directly with the Internal Revenue Service for definitive answers to any specific questions regarding taxation.

Important Au Pair Tax Information

• The IRS considers au pairs to be “employees” of the host family for tax reasons, even though they are in the United States on a “cultural exchange” visa.  This means that au pairs are required to file U.S. individual income tax returns even though many au pairs will not owe any taxes
• By April 15, the au pair should file form 1040NR-EZ http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf or 1040NRhttp://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nr.pdf to report his or her au pair stipend for the previous calendar year. Instructions on how to fill out the form: i1040nre1

• In order to file income taxes in the United States, all au pairs need to have either a social security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (”ITIM”)
• Au pairs are allowed to claim a personal exemption for themselves, but are not eligible for the standard deduction in their tax filing.   As stated above, au pairs are not considered “students” by the IRS so they are also not eligible to exclude au pair wages from gross income under the student article of any U.S. income tax treaty
• Because the maximum tax burden for the vast majority of au pairs is less than $1,000, there is usually no need for the au pair to make quarterly estimated payments, or to have the host family withhold taxes.  There are some exceptions to this rule which are explained in our more detailed guide which is downloadable above.

Important Host Family Tax Information

• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: As long as you have used the au pair’s child care services in order to work or look for employment, the stipend paid to your au pair, the costs of room and board and the program fees paid to Cultural Care are all eligible under the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.  Cultural Care’s federal tax ID number is 20-2020345
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Programs: The eligibility requirements for these programs (often called “Flex-Spending Accounts” or “FSAs”) are usually identical to those for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.  Please note that expense paid for using Dependent Care Reimbursement Program funds are not also eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
• Flex-Spending Account Paperwork: Cultural Care is happy to provide host families with a summary statement of payments received during a tax year.  We are also able to sign and complete most forms that your plan might require for reimbursement.  Please note, however, that we are only able to provide you either the total amount you paid in a given calendar year, or the amount you paid in a given calendar year with the dates of the applicable full au pair term of service (e.g. one year, six months, etc.).  Cultural Care cannot provide documentation explicitly pro-rating payments received to a specified range of dates.  Contact our office if you require any assistance in claiming a Dependent Care reimbursement
• Withholding for Au Pair Taxes: Because the maximum tax burden for the vast majority of au pairs is less than $1,000, there is no need for the au pair to make quarterly estimated payments.  In addition, because au pair wages are deemed by the IRS to be paid for domestic service in a private home, they are not subject to mandatory income tax withholding on Forms 941 and W-2 by the host family. Host families usually do not need to pay federal unemployment taxes for their au pair or to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes.  There are some rare cases where this rule might not apply - please refer to our downloadable guide for more details
• Other Potential Host Family Tax and Financial Issues: We strongly recommend that you inquire with a professional insurance advisor about specific state laws and requirements which may include, but not be limited to, workers’ compensation insurance and state unemployment taxes

Forms: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf orhttp://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nr.pdf

According to Safe Kids USA, for every 10 poison exposures in children, approximately nine occur in the home. These accidents are due, more often than not, to common household items that parents overlook when childproofing their home. In an effort to keep area children safe this year, I hosted a poison prevention meeting for area au pairs at my home in Middletown on Sunday, March 18th.

This training is part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s ongoing Continuing Safety Education Program (CSEP), which requires local childcare coordinators to review safety education with au pairs throughout their year-long stay in the United States. Au pairs also learn safety protocol during their 4-day stay at the Cultural Care Au Pair training school in New York before they arrive to their host families’ homes.

Au pairs were taught about some of the dangers that lurk in the average American household, as well as what to do in case a poisoning emergency were to occur on their watch.  They were also required to complete an online quiz for me prior to the meeting to test their knowledge coming in.  Everyone did very well and I am confident that the au pairs in this area are prepared for this type of emergency - and can help kids avoid it in the first place.

It was also great timing, as Poison Prevention Week in the US took place from March 18 - 24.  The information provided to au pairs came from the Poison Control Center Poison Prevention and Education Program’s Caregiver Presentation Manual. Au pairs learned about the Poison Control Center and how to contact them, what poisons are and what are some common ones found in homes, what to do in a poisoning emergency and tips to prevent poisonings.

I also tried to make it interesting by showing the au pairs the following clip from the Today Show:

and by playing “Choose Your Poison,” an interactive game available online from the California Poison Control System.  The game requires players to identify the poisonous substance or safe substance, for example:

They found this very surprising and encountered some things that they hadn’t even thought of!  I think this made the potential danger real for them and it’s a very eye-opening activity for anyone!

At the end of the lesson, the au pairs were provided with a Household Poisoning Prevention Safety Checklist and also know where their local Poison Control Centers are located and the number to call.

householdpoisoningpreventionchecklist

The Poison Control Center for the State of Delaware is located at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-222-1222.

Eastern Maryland is serviced by the Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore and can also be reached 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222.

Here are some additional safety tips for local families:

• Ensure that all medications and household products are locked out of sight and out of reach
• Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children according to their weights and ages
• Buy products in child-resistant packaging
• Discard expired medicine on a regular basis
• Never refer to medicine as “candy”
• Keep potentially poisonous plants out of reach

For our February meeting, I gave the au pairs the option of choosing our activity.  The majority vote was for ice skating, so that’s what we did!

We attended the Public Skating session at the Fred Rust Ice Arena on the University of Delaware campus.  The university offers public skating sessions every Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3.

Since most of our group comes from countries with year-round warm weather, ice skating was a new experience for most of them!  In addition to never skating before, when the Zamboni machine came out to clean the ice, the girls got to see it and learn what it does.

They did a great job for it being the first time on ice for most of them- no huge falls or injuries - and I *think* they had fun, too.

Even experienced drivers can have difficulty driving in snow and ice! Although we have had a mild winter thus far, it’s only just begun! We could be hit by snow or ice at any time over the next few months. It’s important to keep in mind that even the best au pair driver may not have experience driving in this type of weather, as many of our au pairs come from countries that never see snow and ice. It will be best to let her get used to it or have her avoid driving in altogether (although, I know that’s not always possible :).

Here are some helpful tips from The Weather Channel:

Driving in Snow and Ice

• The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
• Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared (TIPS), and that you know how to handle road conditions.
• It’s helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you’re familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner’s manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

Driving safely on icy roads

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
• Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid…

• Take your foot off the accelerator.
• Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
• If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
• If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid…

• Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
• As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck…

• Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
• Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
• Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
• Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
• Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
• Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

When you made the big decision to become an au pair, you most likely had several reasons for doing so. You probably had several ideas of goals you want to reach and accomplish while you’re here, in addition to program requirements, such as coursework.

Are you on track to reach the goals you set for yourself as an au pair when you got here? Did you hope to improve your English? If so, what are you doing to accomplish that? Are you using only English all the time? Do you speak English with your friends? If not, what can you do to improve?

Have you started working to complete your educational component? If not, what kinds of classes are you interested in? What classes are available that fit your budget and schedule?

It’s important, of course, that you are fulfilling your commitment to your host family by providing them with great childcare, but make sure you are using your free time wisely and working toward your goals, too!

Many professions have their employees set and write down their professional goals, so this is a common practice. As an LCC, I have to do this at the start of the year as well. This could be a good exercise for you too, not only for completing your au pair year (or years the way you hoped, but also to think ahead to what you will do when you get home. Is there anything you have to complete for your life at home before you get back there (like a college application or TOEFL test)?

This is just one of many goal setting worksheets you can find online. Perhaps this will help you to reach your goals and do everything you set out to do during your year in the US!

It’s important to ensure that you and your au pair are on the same page in order to make the relationship work.  It is very common to have ups and downs throughout the year and it may be necessary to sit down and reassess what’s working and what isn’t and get back on the right track.  With the start of the new year, this is a great time to wipe the slate clean and move forward into 2012 making sure everyone is on track to finish the year on a positive note.

You can find some great advice and tips on how to go about having this conversation in this post at aupairmom.com.  She is a seasoned host mom who offers practical advice to host families, both new and experienced and it’s a very helpful forum to explore if you haven’t yet.  Her suggestion is to hold a “reset conversation” to discuss the overall situation and to reinforce any rules or expectations that may have lapsed or need to be refreshed.  She also stresses the importance of keeping the tone of the conversation positive, in order to encourage success moving forward.

Don’t forget you also always have the support of your LCC and Cultural Care staff should you need any assistance or advice!

Weekend courses are an easy, affordable and fun way to complete your educational component. As demand for these classes grows, so do the topics offered! Many of our local au pairs have taken classes at these three locations and have had good things to say, so if you are still looking for ways to complete your program requirements, I encourage you to take a look! Remember to discuss your educational plans with your host family before registering to ensure that any time off you need can be arranged! All classes can be reached by public transportation. See the individual program websites for transportation options. Costs include meals and accommodations in most cases. Why not sign up with a friend or two??

Sojourner Douglass College Weekend Program - Maryland
This program is offered in multiple locations, but the most convenient for our au pairs is the weekend offered in Linthicum, MD, near Baltimore. They offer one-weekend courses for 3 credits and two-weekend courses for 6 credits. Prices vary depending on when you enroll (the earlier, the better!). Topics include Interior Design, Spanish, Psychology, French, American Sign Language, Hospitality & Tourism, American Culture, Language & Tourism, American Culture & Caring for Special Needs Children, Understanding American Language & Government.

Upcoming weekends are listed below. Check the program’s website for topics - note that some of the course offerings are “Two Weekend,” which requires participants to attend both weekends for the 6 credits.

March 3-4
April 14-15
May 5-6
June 2-3
July 14-15
September 8-9
October 6-7
November 3-4
December 1-2

Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus
The C.W. Post campus of Long Island University is located in the town of Brookville, NY. These courses are worth 3 credits per weekend. (Please note the Fashion course is several Saturdays, not an entire weekend!) I have registration forms that I received in a mailing if you wish to register for one of these classes! For course descriptions, visit the website.

Upcoming weekends & topics:
January 20-22: Fashion Through the Decades; History of American Music

February 10-12: Growing Up in America- American Culture; History of American Women

March 2-4: TOEFL/English Preparation Course; History of American Sports; Regional Identities - American Culture

March 9-11: American Government, Politics & Social Issues; Celebration of Holidays - American Culture

April 27-29: Marketing & Social Media; History of American Music; Study, Learn & Speak English

Silver Bay Au Pair Course - College of St. Rose
The Silver Bay Au Pair Course is sponsored by the College of St Rose in Albany, NY. The course itself takes place at the YMCA of the Adirondacks, near Lake George (except in the winter, when it is held in Albany). There are numerous course topics that vary from weekend to weekend. All courses are related to personal development, American culture or will help you in your role as an au pair.

Upcoming weekends:
January 20-22, 2012 in the Albany, NY area
March 16-18, 2012
April 13-15, 2012
May 4-6, 2012
June 8-10, 2012
July 20-22, 2012
Sept 7-9, 2012
Oct 26-28, 2012
Nov 16-18, 2012

For our January meeting, we met at Mid County Lanes in Middletown for an hour of bowling.  We got a chance to catch up after the holidays and got to meet our newest arrival, Amanda, who has joined us from Brazil!  She will be living with her host family in Bear.  We also said goodbye to Elisa, who has finished up her 2nd year extension and is heading back home to Brazil.  We will miss you, Elisa, and wish you all the best!

I also awarded a $10 Starbucks gift card to the winner of our bowling game, so congratulations to Perla!  Enjoy your prize

Here are some pictures from our meeting: