Sheri Watkins

Some Fun Holiday Family Events in Columbus Ohio

Posted by: swatkins on December 3, 2009

The Phoenix Theatre for Children presents Madeline’s Christmas

http://www.phoenix4kids.org/madeline.php

The Columbus Children’s Theater presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org/2009-10_Season/upcoming09-3.html

Worthington Square PJs with Santa

http://www.worthingtonsquare.com/pjs/

Wild Lights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

http://www.columbuszoo.org/default.aspx

Holidays in Powell

http://www.cityofpowell.us/event-holiday-tree.php

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sights and Sounds of the Season!

Posted by: swatkins on November 20, 2009

NW Columbus Au Pairs participated in the Sights and Sounds Shopping Extravaganza, sponsored by Like Minded Moms and Columbus Ballet Met!

Au Pairs helped children at the craft and children’s area while their parents shopped from over 40 vendors. All proceeds from the event benefit the Ballet Met Scholarship Fund!

LCC visits Berlin for Cultural Care’s International Summit!

Posted by: swatkins on November 20, 2009

LOCAL CHILDCARE COORDINATOR, SHERI WATKINS, ATTENDS CULTURAL CARE AU PAIR INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT IN BERLIN, GERMANY

In honor of the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

 Columbus, OH, Nov. 18, 2009 - Dublin resident Sheri Watkins was recently invited to join more than 75 of her peers at an international summit in Berlin, Germany, hosted by Cultural Care Au Pair.  Watkins is a Cultural Care Au Pair local childcare coordinator for NW Columbus and surrounding suburbs.

As a local childcare coordinator, Sheri Watkins supports area families who are currently hosting an international au pair in their home, as well as the au pairs themselves. Watkins earned her invitation to the summit by expanding the program in Ohio 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 Watkins. “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.”

Sheri Watkins 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, she organizes social activities throughout the program year, advises au pairs on educational opportunities in the community and provides advice on intercultural exchange. Watkins 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. 

Watkins 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 614-204-5693 for additional information on the Cultural Care Au Pair program. Interested families may also visit Watkins’s web site at swatkins.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.

2009 Scavenger Hunt at Easton Town Center!

Posted by: swatkins on June 10, 2009

Easton Town Center 6/7/09

Central Ohio Cultural Care Au Pairs enjoyed a great afternoon at Easton Town Center for the annual scavenger hunt! Each team searched high and low to find the items on their list. The winning team received Old Navy Flag Ts.

Fun with Friends!

Columbus Au Pairs Visit Amish Country in Holmes County Ohio

Posted by: swatkins on April 11, 2009

Apirl 4, 2009 Holmes County Ohio

Our Columbus Au Pairs enjoyed a wonderful day in Homes County Ohio learning about the Amish Community there. We learned the European Roots including Swiss and German. We had an informative bus tour through Berlin, Ohio and learned that 80% of the population in Holmes County is Amish or Mennonite. LaVonne, our tour guide lives in Holmes County and was very knowledgeable about the life of the people there. She shared details about the lifestyle, the work and even the dating (”courting”) practices of the young Amish. 

The highlight of the day was visiting an Amish Family and sitting down for a home cooked meal. Au Pairs were fascinated to see the old ringer washer this family uses for laundry. We also were able to take a ride in the family’s horse drawn buggy.

It was a great day and our German au pairs were able to speak in German to our Amish Hosts!

Amish Mural

The Children only speak German.

A Multicultural Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration!

Posted by: swatkins on March 16, 2009

NW Columbus Au Pairs celebrated Saint Paddy’s Day by participating in Dublin, Ohio’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Sat., March 14, 2009!

Andy Warhol Exhibit!

Posted by: swatkins on March 16, 2009

Our February meeting was an enjoyable experience. We were able to tour the Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Wexner Center on Ohio State University’s Campus while the exhibit was here in Columbus. We attended the Free Thursday’s tour which was definitely an added bonus!