Go Au Pair Providence recently welcomed a new au pair, and we may be getting several more this spring and summer, so here is the scoop on school.
Okay, say your au pair has been here a month. Should you be signing up for classes? There are a few things you need to do first!
Has your au pair gotten their social security number? If not, contact your local social security office and fill out the paperwork. It only takes a week or so to get that done, but you'll need it. Most schools will want a social security number when you sign up for classes.
Next, is your au pair driving? If so, I highly recommend getting a state-issued driver's license. It gives the au pair confidence in his or her ability, testing reviews the local laws, and gives the au pair a picture identification. Getting a state-issued driver's license also helps avoid any law-enforcement confusion with an International Driver's Permit.
Now that you are ready to sign up, where do you want to go? If you live in southern Rhode Island, you might consider URI, or if you are in the city, you have an array of options!
I call both Rhode Island College and Providence College my alma mater, since I earned undergrad and graduate degrees at each, respectively. Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design are outstanding as well. Bryant University in the northern part of the state is a great option too!
For standard, full-time au pairs, six credits in one year means he or she should sign up at the first chance, so there is no need to cram classes in at the end of the placement. It also helps to acclimate the au pair to the area by meeting other people there age and engaging in classes, often English, to gain confidence.
EduCare au pairs, or part-timers, have to take twelve credits, so it is imperative for them to sign up right away for at least one class. Given they work up to 30 hours a week for their Host Family, this still leaves plenty of time for studying and socializing, if one has good time management skills.
Has your au pair gotten their social security number? If not, contact your local social security office and fill out the paperwork. It only takes a week or so to get that done, but you'll need it. Most schools will want a social security number when you sign up for classes.
Next, is your au pair driving? If so, I highly recommend getting a state-issued driver's license. It gives the au pair confidence in his or her ability, testing reviews the local laws, and gives the au pair a picture identification. Getting a state-issued driver's license also helps avoid any law-enforcement confusion with an International Driver's Permit.
Now that you are ready to sign up, where do you want to go? If you live in southern Rhode Island, you might consider URI, or if you are in the city, you have an array of options!
I call both Rhode Island College and Providence College my alma mater, since I earned undergrad and graduate degrees at each, respectively. Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design are outstanding as well. Bryant University in the northern part of the state is a great option too!
For standard, full-time au pairs, six credits in one year means he or she should sign up at the first chance, so there is no need to cram classes in at the end of the placement. It also helps to acclimate the au pair to the area by meeting other people there age and engaging in classes, often English, to gain confidence.
EduCare au pairs, or part-timers, have to take twelve credits, so it is imperative for them to sign up right away for at least one class. Given they work up to 30 hours a week for their Host Family, this still leaves plenty of time for studying and socializing, if one has good time management skills.
For more information about Go Au Pair and a cultural child care experience for your family, visit www.goaupair.com or contact LAR Joan Lowell in Providence, RI at jlowell@goaupair.com or 401.309.1925.
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