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Posted by: swatkins on May 20, 2008
Your Au Pair is About to Arrive
Are you ready?
Important things to think about
In the state of Ohio, an au pair does not need to get a social security card in order to obtain a driver’s license. However, some families like for the au pair to have a ss# and some au pairs like to have a ss# as it makes it easier for them to get a cell phone or apply for a credit card.
Visit www.ssa.gov/online/forms.html
to download and print forms. Go to the section “other forms” and scroll down to form SS-5.
Take the following Au Pair documents to the SS office (one on East Broad Street in Columbus)
1.
Completed SS-5 form
2.
Passport
3.
I-94 (should be stapled inside VISA)
4.
DS-2019
5.
Letter of Good Standing (sent to host family prior to Au Pair’s arrival- and available from family extranet)
6.
If passport is less than 1 year old, THEN… Picture ID with DOB… This ID MUST be more than 1 year old.
You can use Cultural Care Au Pair’s Tax ID # for your tax purposes rather than the au pair’s SS#. To request this info, call the Boston office @ 1-800-333-6056.
Mail your Au Pair the OHIO Rules of the Road book
before he/she arrives to the US.
To obtain a driver’s license, bring the following documents plus the au pair’s international driver’s license and possibly home country license to the BMV:
· Passport
· I-94
· DS-2019
· Au pair’s international and/or home country driver’s license
(Offices are located throughout the area, including Alum Creek Drive, the corner of Bethel Rd. & Sawmill, and the main office on West Broad Street) Au Pairs can take the written portion of the test on the computer in any language that they choose. While the state of Ohio allows international driver’s license, many local municipalities do not always know or remember this. It is better for your au pair to get an Ohio driver’s license. The state will issue a Non-Renewable/Non-Transferable Driver’s License or a temporary license if the au pair does not have an international license.
Add the Au Pair to your auto insurance policy. (Some companies will give lower rates if the au pair has a state license)
Prepare yourself and your Au Pair for the worst case as a driver.
Consider putting a disposable camera in your glove compartment along with a step by step list of what to do in case of an emergency or accident.
It is helpful for the Au Pair to have her own bank account. Open one at your bank of choice. Many have free checking accounts. The Au Pair weekly stipend is $176.85. It will increase on July 24, 2009, to $195.75 per week. Many families use an automatic deposit into the Au Pair’s account as a form of payment.
Many long distance companies’ offer international calling, but they can be the most expensive option.
Alternatives:
EF Phone Card –
Some of the Au Pairs buy theses at school in New York. They can be recharged using a major credit card. The rates are not the best though.
www.nobelcom.com
www.zaptel.com
www.phonecardsonsale.com –
All of these offer online phone card purchase. Extremely reasonable rates. Always read the connection charge/expiration info. Some cards do expire within a certain time frame.
Other Helpful Recommendations
· Send an email to your Au Pair at the school in New York during her/his training week. Most families send an email and the au pair will be looking for a message from you. The email address is aupair.training.school@culturalcare.com
They are printed daily and delivered to the au pairs. Their ability to check their own email is limited. If you need to call the school, the number is (631)218-3806.
·
Complete the Household Handbook online
for your au pair. Include as much as you can about the expectations that you have (i.e. the car, vacation, curfews, visitors, children’s schedules, discipline, etc.) The more information you give to your au pair about your family and your expectations, the better your year will go. While you can always back off of your expectations, it is rare that a family can successfully add more responsibilities. Print a copy of the Household Handbook for yourself and email a copy to your au pair. Then he/she will have access and be familiar with your expectations even before they arrive.
Help your Au Pair Feel Welcome
Little things and small tokens of welcome go a long way towards making the transition
easier and making your au pair feel like a welcome part of your family.
·
Decorate the door to your au pair’s room.
·
Have a welcome gift or basket to give to your au pair
·
Welcome him/her at the airport with a balloon or cute sign
·
Purchase the au pair’s first phone card for him/her
During the First Week
Take your au pair to the grocery store
during his/her first few days. This is a way to find out what your au pair likes and he/she can learn your children’s favorite foods and snacks. Then when you get home, your au pair can help you put the items away and learn the organization in your kitchen.
Spend the first 3 days at home with your au pair
before you leave him/her home alone with the children.
Make the time
to go with your au pair to the social security office, to open a bank account, and to get a driver’s license. These are extremely important to allowing your au pair to become self sufficient.
Take your au pair on a day trip through your city.
Make a copy of your au pair’s insurance card, passport, I-94, and DS2019,
just in case something gets lost. It will be easier to replace.
Ongoing
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!
It is the key to a successful year. Be sincere and respectful in your interaction with your au pair. You are welcoming them into your home and family. Think of how you would want your loved one treated if he/she were to spend a year in another country living with a host family there.
Include them
in meals, home cooked and take out. Encourage them to cook their favorite meal occasionally.
Use your Daily Communication Log
especially to track children’s activities and daily happenings.
Understand that the program guidelines are set forth by the US Department of State,
not Cultural Care Au Pair. The guidelines are the same for all agencies sanctioned by the Department of State.
Stay aware of dates of meetings and make your schedule around them. Au Pair meeting dates and times are listed on my website, http://s-watkins.local.culturalcare.com
Most importantly!
I am here to help your year run smoothly!!! Do not hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns, or small issues before they become big problems.
Office Hours:
Call between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM unless extreme emergency. Email anytime!
Sheri Watkins
Cultural Care Au Pair
Local Childcare Coordinator
(614)204-5693
Sheri.watkins@lcc.culturalcare.com
http://s-watkins.local.culturalcare.com
