Cassandra and Clarke Robinson

Guest Answer Mom on Play, Safety and Fun

Posted by: crobinson on March 18, 2010

Au Pair Answer Mom Susan Robinson invites guest host mom Dr. Jennifer Canter to provide advice for host parents on important toy and play safety topics for discussion with your au pair. “Dr. Jen” is a pediatrician with two sets of twins who is also a Cultural Care Au Pair host mother. In addition to her regular practice as a general and child abuse pediatrician, Dr. Jen is the creator of a new educational toy called the U-Play Mat (www.playthisway.com).

My twin 3-year-old sons went to a birthday party recently and received a goodie bag treat they absolutely LOVED. A plastic snow shovel. It was a winter birthday party for good friends, who happen to have one son. I am sure they see the shovel as a lovely winter activity. My husband came home from the party with the boys and the shovels knowing exactly what I would say, “Great, they can use the shovels to clock each other over the head, put them in the garage so we can make sure we’re watching them!”

And, at the birthday party of our 2-year-old twin cousins (yes, a lot of twins in our family), I was the “party-pooper” explaining the hazards of popping latex balloons over the birthday cake while secretly hyper-ventilating around a group of seemingly unaware parents.

As the mom of two sets of twins, now ages 6 (girls) and 3 (boys), we’ve had our fair share of fun, play, and bumps, over the years! As a board certified general and child abuse pediatrician, I’ve personally witnessed tragic and horrific consequences of momentary lapses in vigilance. I am a specialist in the medical evaluation of children when safety measures have failed. I am also a toy creator, having invented and brought the U-Play Mat to market in 2009. So, parenthood, child abuse pediatrics and toy creating have made me a clairvoyant. “A clairvoyant?” you ask, “You can see things in the future?” Yes, I see accidents before they happen! And I talk about them with my au pair.

Even for au pairs with significant child care experience, any new home presents an opportunity to learn. I start with any new child care provider going over a list of safety items. We talk about food safety, stairways, kitchen safety, crossing the street and little fingers getting smashed in doors. I make sure that my au pair truly understands by asking her to explain back again, and if necessary demonstrating what I’m referring to. One topic I also cover is safety during play.

Children’s toys and games are age specific, and intended for particular uses. Older children may have games and toys with small parts or strings, presenting a hazard to younger children. Common toys and games in many homes may not be familiar to an au pair from another country. And, instruction manuals may be difficult to interpret. Including careful and clear training on the toys and games your children play with, and safe ways to play, is a critical part of the au pair orientation to a new house.

I’ve outlined some basic toy and play safety topics for discussion with your au pair below:

1. Make sure your au pair understands how toys are intended to be used, and that instructions are understood.

2. When opening new toys, it is important to discard plastic wrappings. When assembling toys or changing batteries, it is important to secure small parts and batteries in a safe place. Also, tools used such as a screwdriver, may present their own safety hazards.

3. Make sure your au pair understands age recommendations for toys and what your expectations are for safe play between different aged siblings. Do you want older children to play with small parts in a designated area of the house? Do you want your au pair to double-check after clean up?

4. Explain safety hazards with soft toys and young children. Soft toys (as well as blankets, pillows, and other soft items) are not intended to be in the sleep environment of young babies.

5. If a toy breaks, it may present a new safety hazard. Make sure your expectations are clear – do you want her/him to throw a toy away when it breaks, or show to you to decide about the next step?

6. Toys should be put away safety to avoid unnecessary trips and falls. Toy boxes and toy chests should have a lid that will stay open in any position and ventilation holes.

7. Think about small parts with children ages 3 and younger, or older children who exhibit hand-mouth behaviors. Thing about long strings/cords and the risk of strangulation. Explain this to your au pair. Don’t have toys with long cords in reach of an infant’s sleep or play space.

8. Broken or un-inflated balloons are a choking hazard. This is one of the most common causes for choking. Discuss this with your au pair.

9. Talk about your expectations when you au pair buys your child a gift. Do you want to see it first and make sure it is something you feel is safe?

10. If your child has a developmental or physical disability, make sure to explain specific safety issues that may apply.

Putting Kids First: Helping at-risk children worldwide

Posted by: crobinson on February 26, 2010

As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.

Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.

Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.

During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.

In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.

“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”

For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact your Local Childcare Coordinator.

Cultural Care Au Pair’s Nominations for Au Pair of the Year 2010!

Posted by: crobinson on February 12, 2010

Cultural Care Au Pair received almost 200 nominations for the “Au Pair of the Year” Award, three of which we sent to the International Au Pair Association for final consideration. (Each au pair agency is allowed to submit just three nominees.) Meet Cultural Care Au Pair’s three finalists, Ann-Kathrin, Patrizia and Sandra and to see photos and the names of ALL of our nominees. Thanks to all of our host families who submitted nominations, and congratulations to each and every Cultural Care au pair who was nominated. You are all winners in our book!

Meet Simone!

Posted by: crobinson on February 9, 2010

Simone Bitencourt Sales is a 26-year old Cultural Care Au Pair from São Paulo, Brazil. Simone was welcomed by her host family on February 5th and will be caring for 3 young children in San Mateo. Simone is a talented preschool teacher with experience working with children between the ages of 1mo.-5yrs. Simone enjoys swimming, biking, dancing, going to the movies, and sight-seeing. Please welcome Simone to San Mateo!

Cultural Care Au Pairs Learn Self Defense

Posted by: crobinson on January 31, 2010

National statistics say that close to 1 in 4 people are violently attacked in the United States. On January 31st, over 30 Cultural Care Au Pairs teamed up with United Studios of Self Defense in Foster City to learn basics in self defense. These au pairs represented over 15 different countries and are currently caring for the children of host families from San Mateo County. The au pairs were taught by Chief Instructor, Regina Pinpin that safety and awareness is more than 75% of self defense. In the 2-hour workshop, the au pairs were taught and practiced a variety of solutions to escape an attack.

The training was a part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s commitment to on-going training with their Continuing Education Program (CEP). As a U.S, Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care au pair’s receive safety and childcare education throughout their year-long stay in the U.S. When the au pairs arrive in the U.S. they begin their training with a week of intensive courses at the Cultural Care Au Pair school in New York and quarterly, Local Childcare Coordinators provide complementary safety workshops.

Along with the great personal safety experience, the au pairs were provided with safety tips to teach the children they provide care for in our community.

Safety tips for children:

• I know my full name, address, including zip code, and phone number, including area code.
• I know how to use a pay phone
• If I get lost in a store, I will find someone who works in the store for help.
• If anyone bothers me while going to/from school, I get away from that person and tell a parent or teacher right away. A grown up should never ask a child fro help, they should ask another grown up.
• I never take shortcuts from school, I always follow the route that my parents know
• I never accept a ride from anyone, even someone I know – unless my parents have given me permission.
• If someone tries to take me somewhere, I get away quickly and yell – “This person is trying to take me away – or this is not my Mother/Father.”