Want to save some money? Need a childcare? You found a right place!

We are here to help. Cultural Care Au Pair provides affordable and flexible live-in childcare for average cost of $350 per family (not per child). Our candidates are qualified and carefully screened with legal U.S. visas for up to two years.  We offer personalized au pair matching service, local support throughout the year, and cultural exchange experience for the whole family. We are established and reputable program for more than 20 years with more than 85,000 participants and accredited by Better Business Bureau.

New families who apply from January 19, 2012 through January 24, 2012 can apply for free ($75 application fee waiver) AND  $750 program fee discount. To qualify, families must welcome an au pair by July 31, 2012.

Please contact me directly for any questions about the program or how to apply, as well as for promotion code.

Inese Stravelli | Local Childcare Coordinator

(ph) 770-262-3800

inese.stravelli@lcc.culturalcare.com

Hello everyone in 2012!

So, here we are – in year 2012. New year means new adventures! I wish you lots of them, as well as good health and wealth!

I hope that you all had great holidays. No snow this year. Some of you might have missed it and other might be happy without it. But there is still time, you just never know J

Holidays are over and kids are back to school. That means everyone is going back to regular schedule and routines. We suggest providing au pairs with a detailed schedule each week to avoid miscommunication about expectations. It is also a good idea to keep in mind au pair’s class schedule and meeting schedule so this way it will allow both sides to plan work and free time accordingly.

For your information I also wanted to share with you some program updates, which took effect on January 9^th, 2012.

For the first month that an au pair and host family are together, Cultural Care Au Pair will not process any non-emergency transitions. While there are times when au pairs and host families cannot work through their differences, the first month is always a time of adjustment for both parties and once initial problems are resolved, host families and au pairs have a much better chance of enjoying a successful relationship. In addition, host families will be responsible for a $500 transition fee in the event of a third au pair replacement within the first 30 program weeks with some case-by-case exceptions.

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Referrals

As always we encourage our current host families to refer families you know who may benefit from our au pair childcare program. For each family you refer to our program, who welcomes an au pair by October 5, 2012, you will receive a $250 referral reward! Referred host families must not have already been referred to Cultural Care Au Pair. The referral reward will be issued when the referred host family welcomes an au pair into their home. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to host family account for more details.

To start referring your friends and family to Cultural Care Au Pair, simply log in to your Host Family Account to submit their contact information.

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January monthly meeting

We are going to enjoy some good Japanese food hibachi style. This meeting will be together with Wendy’s au pair group. The January meeting will be held on Sunday, January 29^th in the later afternoon. More specific details about the place and time will follow via email soon.

We are saying good-bye to Lauren who successfully completed her first au pair year this month and will continue her au pair adventures in New Jersey.  We wish her luck with all the future endeavors.

January arrivals:

Welcome to our group Samantha from Australia and Kethryn from Brazil who will be arriving to their families by  this Friday. We wish you both very successful au pair year!

Happy New Year!

May all your wishes come true this year!

Wishing you the happy, healthy and wealthy new year!

Inese

Stone Mountain Christmas

November 12, 2011 - January 1, 2012

Light up your family holidays with the glow of more than two million lights, more than a dozen performances and activities at Atlanta’s most heartwarming Christmas celebration. Within the glow of more than two million twinkling lights, you can watch live entertainment, engage in fun attractions and reconnect with friends and family during this special time of year. Make a Stone Mountain Christmas a part of your holiday tradition. The fun begins early in the day. Be sure to make a day of it and come out early to experience all that this special event has to offer.

Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park

November 23, 2011 - February 20, 2012

For those who like snow and snow tubing Snow Mountain is the best place without going anywhere far. Slide down Stone Mountain Park’s famous Laser Lawn! Get ready for the launch of Avalanche Alley!  Multiply your thrills as you brave Atlanta’s only snow-covered 400-foot tubing hill in a first-of-its-kind family tube ride.

Ice Skating Rink At Olympic Park

Nov. 19, 2011 - Jan. 21, 2012

Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park is an annual holiday tradition. Admission is $7 per person and skate rental is an additional $2 for 90 minutes of skate time. The rink is open daily, including holidays, from Nov. 19, 2011 – Jan. 21, 2012. Lockers are available for $1, at the ice rink to securely store belongings.

The Rink at Park Tavern

through February 28th

This outdoor rink but still inside the heated tent ice rink is located in the corner of Piedmont Park next to Park Tavern. Besides ice skating you can also enjoy rink side dinning.

Winter Wonderland

November 16, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Celebrate Holidays, Traditions and Cultures at Fernbank Museum. Enjoy a season of celebrations during Fernbank’s 2^nd annual Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World. This holiday-inspired exhibition and programming series features trees and other displays decorated by local cultural partners that recognize celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols.

The exhibition will twinkle with lights, glimmer with color, and shine with a variety of cultural ornaments and emblems that recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events around the world.

Macy’s Pink Pig

Event Date: 10/29/2011 to 1/7/2012

Lenox Mall

Since 1953, the Pink Pig has been delighting generations of Atlantans. Beginning late October through early January you can also join Priscilla during her normal holiday hours. Tickets are available at the Pink Pig kiosk where you’ll the gang squealing with excitement under the tent atop the Lenox Road parking deck at Macy’s Lenox Square. A portion of the ride’s proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Take a ride on Priscilla the Pink Pig! Travel through the super-sized storybook, starring Priscilla and all of her fabulous friends.

Garden Lights Holiday Nights

At Atlanta Botanical Garden

Hours
Nightly November 19 - January 7, from 5 - 10 p.m.
Closed December 24 and 31

Lights of Life 2011

On the campus of Life University (Barclay Circle – off Hwy 41 just north of Dobins AFB, Marietta)
Date: Every night through December 31st

This annual tradition started since 1989 by Life University has become one of Atlanta residents favorite. Plus the affordable cost for a mere $5 per car make it a great family outing during this Holiday season. Plan to spend extra time for the petting zoo, train ride, pony ride or Photo with Santa during the weekend.

Peach Drop 2012

December 21st, starts at 11am

Underground Atlanta. The Southeast largest New Year’s eve celebration, filled with activities all day. Check out their website for photos from last years and schedule for this year.

2300 Jamerson Road, Marietta, Ga 30066

Can you believe we are at the end of another year? I hope that this year was a great one for each one of you and you had many fun adventures. And even if some of you had experienced some rough patches at some time or other I hope that you learned from the experience, moved on, and kept the better part with you.

As you may have noticed, the holiday season is here. Decorations are all around you and it is impossible to escape holiday merchandise and various sales. Also, the weather is getting colder, however for some of you this is nothing compare to wintery and snowy home country, but for others it might be the coldest weather experienced. Whichever way it is – enjoy it and embrace the difference.

Holiday season comes with holiday break from school. At this time it is important for host families and au pairs to discuss the work schedule, which most likely will be adjusted somehow. It is beneficial for the family and an au pair to have a clear understanding about the working hours and non-working hours, especially if au pair is participating at family holiday events. I would like to ask families to be very clear with au pairs of what is expected of him/her during any celebration so there would be no misunderstandings.

While this can be a busy, hectic, and even stressful time, many use the holidays as a time for reflection and resolution. I incurred you all reflect back within this year and see what important things have happened. That also might bring you to something that you would like to consider for the new years resolution.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and, before long, Happy New Year!

December monthly meeting

As per your request we will be going ice-skating at Centennial Olympic Park. The date is Sunday, December 11th. We all will meet at Sandy Springs MARTA station and will take train to Downtown. We will meet at 3pm by the ticket vending machines.

Sandy Springs MARTA station is located on the corner of Abernathy Rd./Perimeter Center W and Mt. Vernon Rd. The actual address is: 1101 Mt. Vernon Highway, Atlanta GA 30338. See the website for more details.

The ice-skating is $7 (for 90 minutes) and skate rental is $2. Round trip Breeze card (train ticket) for MARTA will cost you $6. The parking at the station is free up to 24 hours.

If there is anyone who really wants to drive downtown, please let me know and we can meet you at the skating rink at 4pm.

Please keep in mind that this meeting will be more than 2 hours. My goal is to try to get back on train that returns to Sandy Springs station at around 6:30pm, however it all depends if there will be line at the ice rink and also on how long you all want to be there.

You can bring any friends you’d like.

Please RSVP to me that you are coming. And definitely let me know if you are not. I need to know whom I’m waiting for at the station.

Just a reminder - Please save the following dates for the monthly au pair meetings:

January –I have asked you to save the January 14^th for the meeting. However, I have a question for you all – the LCC Wendy from West Marietta has asked me to have a joined meeting since she has a very small group. I think it would be fun, but in that case we would have to move our meeting to January 29^th. One way or the other we will be going to a restaurant. I am currently looking into some restaurant option, but if any of you have a good suggestion I would love to hear it. Please respond to me by January 1^st if you would rather have meeting on January 14^th with just our group or on January 29^th with Wendy’s group. Once we have established the date I will need a headcount to make a reservation at the restaurant. As usual, friends are welcome.

February – please save the date: Saturday, February 25^th. The place and time will be announced later. All ideas are welcome.

P.s. if any of you have a great idea for a monthly meeting please let me know. All ideas are considered. Dates could change if we agree to do something fun that is not available on the dates I picked. Friends are always welcome.

December Birthdays!

This month we wish Happy Birthday to Fernanda and Josefina!

We will be saying good-bye to few au pairs for who December is the last month with our group: Fernanda from Brazil and Adriana from Colombia who successfully are completing their second au pair year this month. We also are saying good-by to Lauren, who will be extending her au pair adventures in New Jersey and to Miriam who will be moving to Florida with her host family. We wish them all luck with all the future endeavors.

December arrivals:

Welcome to our group Josefina from Sweden and Alejandra from Colombia who will be arriving to their families by the end of the month. We wish you both very successful au pair year!

Those of you who are lookign for a live in childcare options really should take advantage of our current promotion.

New families who apply by December 6, 2011  will receive a $75 application fee waiver AND a $800 program fee discount. To qualify, families must welcome an au pair by March 30, 2012.

This is a great deal not only for saving money, but to have a childcare with flexible hours and opportunity to expose your children to other cultures.

Please contact me for promotion code, as well as for any questions at Inese.Stravelli@lcc.culturalcare.com or 770-262-3800.

Please welcome Denise from Austria to our group.

She arrived to her host family last Friday. We wish her great and susceful au pair year!

Thanksgiving Weekend at the High

Embrace a New York State of Mind – The Day after Thanksgiving
November 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Family Fun from Noon to 5 p.m.)

Pack up your kids for a day trip to New York City. No need for plane tickets, just head to the High to check out Picasso to Warhol. You’ll get to peruse highlights of MoMA’s collection, make modern masterpieces to take home with you, and catch great performances by the talented teens from the band Already Taken. New York meets the High for family fun and fantastic art. Free with museum admission and free to members.

LIGHTING OF ATLANTIC STATION

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Central Park 12:00 NOON - 9:00PM: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us for one of the most anticipating events of the season when we light the tree in Central Park! Atlantic Station is having the ultimate all-day celebration with live music, arts, crafts, delicious winter treats, fireworks and activities the whole family can enjoy! This will be an event to remember!

Roswell’s Holiday Celebration on the Square

Saturday, December 3rd

Activities begin at 5 pm for Roswell’s Annual Lighting of the Square. This fun-filled evening has activities for the whole family to enjoy, including carolers from local schools, the official lighting of Town Square, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a special visit from everyone’s friend in the North Pole - Santa Claus! Pictures with Santa available at a nominal fee. Then, step on the holiday bus and journey to the gift shop.

Marietta Tree Lighting

December 1, 5pm – 8pm

Location: Marietta Square

Santa will arrive in Marietta at 5:30 p.m. and the giant Christmas tree will light up the night at 6 p.m. Local choruses will provide entertainment.

20th Annual Holiday Festival

November 12, 2011 - 9am to 4pm

Location: Dunwoody United Methodist Church

Address: 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, dunwoody, GA 30338

120 Artisans, Huge Silent Auction, Gourmet Shop, Book Nook, Attic Treasures, Casseroles to Go, Photos with Santa, Children’s Crafts, Pony Rides, Moonwalk, and much, much more!

Macy’s Great Tree Lighting

Event Date: 11/24/2011

Location: Lenox Mall

The 64th annual event kicks off with a show featuring performances by American Idol winner Scotty McCreary, Mary Mary, So You Think You Can Dance winner Melanie Moore, The Macy’s All Star Holiday Choir featuring soloist – Timothy Miller of the Atlanta Opera, The Macy’s All Star Cheer Squad, and Macy’s Rising Star Erica Nicole, and includes a fireworks finale as the tree is lit. Pre-show festivities begin at 6:15 PM

Stone Mountain Christmas

November 12, 2011 - January 1, 2012

Light up your family holidays with the glow of more than two million lights, more than a dozen performances and activities at Atlanta’s most heartwarming Christmas celebration. Within the glow of more than two million twinkling lights, you can watch live entertainment, engage in fun attractions and reconnect with friends and family during this special time of year. Make a Stone Mountain Christmas a part of your holiday tradition. The fun begins early in the day. Be sure to make a day of it and come out early to experience all that this special event has to offer.

Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park

November 23, 2011 - February 20, 2012

For those who like snow and snow tubing Snow Mountain is the best place without going anywhere far. Slide down Stone Mountain Park’s famous Laser Lawn! Get ready for the launch of Avalanche Alley!  Multiply your thrills as you brave Atlanta’s only snow-covered 400-foot tubing hill in a first-of-its-kind family tube ride.

Ice Skating Rink At Olympic Park

Nov. 19, 2011 - Jan. 21, 2012

Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park is an annual holiday tradition. Admission is $7 per person and skate rental is an additional $2 for 90 minutes of skate time. The rink is open daily, including holidays, from Nov. 19, 2011 – Jan. 21, 2012. Lockers are available for $1, at the ice rink to securely store belongings.

Winter Wonderland

November 16, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Celebrate Holidays, Traditions and Cultures at Fernbank Museum. Enjoy a season of celebrations during Fernbank’s 2^nd annual Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World. This holiday-inspired exhibition and programming series features trees and other displays decorated by local cultural partners that recognize celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols.

The exhibition will twinkle with lights, glimmer with color, and shine with a variety of cultural ornaments and emblems that recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events around the world.

Macy’s Pink Pig

Event Date: 10/29/2011 to 1/7/2012

Lenox Mall

Since 1953, the Pink Pig has been delighting generations of Atlantans. Beginning late October through early January you can also join Priscilla during her normal holiday hours. Tickets are available at the Pink Pig kiosk where you’ll the gang squealing with excitement under the tent atop the Lenox Road parking deck at Macy’s Lenox Square. A portion of the ride’s proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Take a ride on Priscilla the Pink Pig! Travel through the super-sized storybook, starring Priscilla and all of her fabulous friends.

Garden Lights Holiday Nights

At Atlanta Botanical Garden

Hours
Nightly November 19 - January 7, from 5 - 10 p.m.
Closed December 24 and 31

Other events at Botanical Garden

Join in the merriment of Holidays in the Garden with our checklist of fun-filled activities for the entire family you will not want to miss:
Trains and More Trains
Check out the quaint model train show, then hop on the Botanical Express for a spin around the Great Lawn.
Saint Nick Returns
The Garden’s vintage saint is back by popular demand! Bring a camera to take your own photos with Botanical Saint Nick.
Reindog Parade
Dress Fido in his holiday finest to compete for prizes or just show him off in a fun parade December 10 during the only day of the year that dogs are admitted.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Mark your calendars for this brand new blockbuster addition to the holiday celebration – an inaugural light show November 19–January 7, featuring nearly 1 million lights forming botanical–inspired displays.