amy donovan ● au pair + childcare coordinator

hello nashville-area au pairs! details for our january meetup are now posted over on the meetings page. we’re taking advantage of the unexpectedly warm january weather + are going hiking at radnor lake!

happy new year, au pairs + host families! it was great to get to know you in 2011 (+ 2010, + 2009…) + i hope that 2012 is wonderful for you!

for my Tennessee au pairs + host families, you can look forward to lots of fun meetings + events this year!

i posted info on the weekend course options back in 2010, + since then, many of my au pairs have used these courses to fulfill their educational component. i’ve updated the info with updated dates/costs + am reposting it for my newer au pairs to see!

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many au pairs search for affordable + speedy ways to fulfill the educational component (6 credit hours/year). there are 3 au pair weekend course options, each at an accredited post-secondary institution. completing the weekend coursework plus required assignments/projects earns three credit hours.

these courses fill up early, so discuss with your host family + sign-up soon!

OPTION 1 : THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE in Silver Bay, NY
http://www.silverbayaupaircourse.com/
classes vary + are listed at http://silverbayaupaircourse.com/classes.html

cost: $275 - includes coursework, lodging, meals, snacks + beverages. does not cover transportation to/from NY or to/from the campus.

typical schedule:
friday
5 – 10 PM – check in + assignment to welcoming groups
6 – 10 PM – dinner buffet in welcoming groups
7 – 9:30 PM - tours, craft projects + working groups
9:30 – 11 PM – opening session
11:30 PM - social

saturday
8 AM - breakfast
9 - 10:15 AM - class session (all sessions have 4-8 options)
10:30 - 11:45 AM - class session
12 PM - lunch
1 - 2:15 PM - class session
2:30 - 3:45 PM - class session
4 PM - free time with recreational options
5:30 PM - dinner
6:30 PM - class session in large group
8 PM - ice cream break
8:45 PM - class session in large group
11 PM - social/club disco night

sunday
8 AM - breakfast
9 - 10:10 AM - class session
10:15 - 11:25 AM - class session
11:30 AM - group photo + closing session
12 PM - lunch
1 PM - departure

upcoming 2012 weekends:
January 20-22, 2012
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 19-21, 2012
Nov 16-18, 2012

OPTION 2 : SOJOURNER-DOUGLASS COLLEGE in three locations - Linthicum, Maryland; Des Plaines, Illinois; Miami, Florida
http://www.aupairweekend.org/
courses vary by weekend and are listed on the website.

costs include coursework, lodging, all activities + meals. does not cover transportation to/from Maryland or Illinois. there are convenient shuttles from the local subway, train station, + airport.
early registration: $311 Maryland, $315 Illinois, $318 Florida
on-time registration: $328 Maryland, $330 Illinois, $332 Florida
late registration: $350 Maryland, $356 Florida, $352 Illinois

upcoming 2012 classes:
January 7-8, 2012
March 3-4, 2012
April 14-15, 2012
April 21-22, 2012
May 5-6, 2012
May 19-20, 2012
June 2-3, 2012
July 14-15, 2012
September 8-9, 2012
October 6-7, 2012
October 13-14, 2012
November 3-4, 2012
November 10-11, 2012
December 1-2, 2012

OPTION 3 : CW POST CAMPUS / LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY in Brookville, NY
http://www.liu.edu/CWPost/About/Offices/Au-Pair.aspx

costs vary from $250 - $350, depending on whether you stay on campus, or pay for off-campus lodging yourself.
course options / descriptions at http://www.liu.edu/CWPost/About/Offices/Au-Pair/Course-Descriptions.aspx

upcoming 2011/2012 weekends:
December 9-11, 2011
January 20-22, 2012
February 10-12, 2012
March 2-4, 2012
April 27-29, 2012

over the weekend, I started a facebook group for the middle tennessee au pairs! i’ll be posting information on local events + activities (like concerts, sporting events, festivals, and more) that may be of interest to you + your host families. also, i’ll provide information + reminders about our monthly meetups. you’re also welcome to post questions or comments whenever you want.

this group is open to any au pairs (whether they’re with Cultural Care or not), host families, friends — really, anyone who wants updates on fun things to do in middle tennessee. feel free to add anyone you want to the group - the more, the merrier! click here to go to the middle tennessee au pairs facebook group.

just a helpful reminder that all of the monthly au pair meeting details are posted over on the meeting page - if you ever forget the date, time or location of a meeting, just pop over there for information. i typically plan meetings 3 months out at a time, except in the summertime, when i plan a few weeks beforehand to work around au pairs/host families vacation schedules.