Au Pair in America: live-in child care.

Nadine says:"I use my free time to play the piano. Playing the piano helps me to relax from the stressful working days. During my childhood and youth I have finish a training as a ballett dancer, which tooks 13 years of my life. I went to the training four or five times a week and made a few badges during this time. I have made my driving license in June and drive three times per week to my job. Not so long ago I have made a Firstaid-course. That's why I know the Firstaid-measures and can help your children if there should be an emergency. I did two internships in a nursery school, I gave private lessons and I worked in a day care center for older children. I think that I`m suitable of being an au-pair girl because I like children and I like to teach them things."

Thamy says: "My other experience was a babysitter part time. I took care of Leticia when she was 2 years old. I picked her up from school and helped her with homework. I prepared her meals and played with her until her mother arrived from work. I played with her using puzzle, dolls, playing with "Little house" and going to the park at the end of the afternoon. With Leticia I taught basic numbers, colors, animals and told histories as: 3 little pigs, snow White, Cinderella and others. Sometimes I took care of her at weekends for her parents go out. I took care of her at swimming pool, took her at the cinema, theater, have ice cream, or go to the park."

Natasha says: "I am involved in my church nursery where we can have anywhere from two to ten kids. With the little ones we play with them and rock them, also help change diapers and feed them. I do a lot of babysitting as well, and some of the things I enjoy doing with them are going on walks through the woods, reading books and playing games. I like to try and make my babysitting experience fun for the kids. I babysat a six year old girl and her seven year old brother this summer. We would go swimming, hiking, we did scavenger hunts made crafts and played at the park a lot! I have learned that kids are full of adventure and if you just the take the time and be with them you can have a lot of fun and learn a lot as well."

Gisela says: "My aunt had a childcare centre and every summer I was there helping her with the children. I did babysitting for my cousins too. I learned from my aunt things such a change the diaper, prepare the bottle, help the baby to burp, the best way to hold a baby. I've been doing a traineeship in a kindergarten for five weeks to learn new things. I already took care of babies older than six months. I love to take care of babies because I really enjoy children and I like to see them grow up. They are very funny and cute. I really liked to play with them because they have a big imagination that is really funny. "

Nadine says:"In the year 2008, I completed my normal schooling, after that I was for one year apprenticeship as nursing aid in my school. In this year I have learned a lot how to nurture people.I compled this year with a certificate. After this I have working in a kindergarten. I enjoye to play in and outside with the children, to take care of them, having breakfast, to talk with them, teaching them, the best at all was where I was working in the kindergarten is the same there I was going when I was a little child into it. It was a big different to see it today as adult with my own eyes...As I was 17 years old, I did my car licsens and a few month later I did an extra course of advance my knowledge on dangerouse traffis situation. I did an extra first aid course in school which took 16 hours."

Sujeong says: "And my strength is fast adaptability. I'm such a quick learner. And I have so happy time at backpacking to Turkey and Malaysia because I adapt to there so quickly. Making new friends and learning new cultures are so interesting to me...And I have the use of think other people first, and I like look after others. So they said to me "You're very thoughtful person."

Lenka says: "I have a sister Sarka, which is a little bit older than me. She has two children - Michelle (9 years) and Kate (15 years) and sometimes I take care of them. I am not happy when they are bored so I try to find some funny things, for example: board games, crossword puzzles, walking, ballgames, swimming, knitting bracelets, playing with dolls and so on. In a similar way I will try to confiscate your children, to be not bored. Sometimes we learn or write homework if necessary. Except these two girls a few times I take care about my friend's son Erik (10)."

Olga says: "I'd describe myself as a friendly, positive, receptive, optimistic and fun-loving person. I'm very interested in learning new things and I like spending time with children. My favorite hobby is trampolining. I started back when I was 10 years old. I stopped after an accident and now I train little children. It's a group of 18 kids between the age of 6 and 12. I look after them and help them on the trampoline. I love to play guitar and read books. I also love to bake and cook. I got my driver's license in March of 2010 and drive almost daily without any accidents or tickets. I had my driving lessons in winter so I could gather experience with driving on snowy roads."

Lea says: "I completed my driver's license in december 2010 and I drive regularly with different cars. For my driver's license I had to make the first-aid course. I have also completed the nursing assistants course, because I have worked in a hospital for 3 weeks...I really enjoyed the time with the children, because it taught me to bear the responsibility for younger, to educate them and just to enjoy life by playing games and spending time with them. I am prepared for a new adventure, experiences and a lot of fun with other children. There are many reasons for me why I want to be an Au Pair:I love kids and like to care for them, like to play and laugh with them and like to teach them new things. I think the au pair job is the best opportunity to learn everything about America...I am an open-minded, active, nice and responsible person. I can deal with new situations and i like new challenges, because I'm adaptable and outgoing.My friends describe me as a confident, conscientious, determined, reliable, sociable, humorous, helpful, family-oriented and straightforward person."

Kimberly says: "I'm a very happy and open person who can also laugh sometimes at myself. One of my passions is it to ride. My grand-father has six horses and I own one of them. In nice weather I also visit the outdoor swimming pool or the Bostal Lake, which is nearby. I also did a practical work experience at a nursery school which was a very positive experience. On this occasion, I got to know lively children, as well as shy and reserved children. Nevertheless, I managed the contact with all of them."

Thobekile says: "My childcare differs with different age groups of children. My childcare starts with my younger siblings and family members. I have been responsible for the overall supervision of my siblings. My duties included helping them with homework, preparing meals and doing laundry. We often went for walks and enjoyed playing board games. With my siblings we also watched cartoons together and often played dress up. I have also cared for a newborn baby within my family. My duties included preparing meals, bottles and diaper changing. I often put the baby down for naps and played with her. I was also responsible for bathing and changing the baby...My childcare experience was very much interesting and exciting. I have worked with different age groups and that has taught me how children think and act at a certain age. I enjoyed everything about it and have also learnt as to how a child should be nurtured. This experience has given me a much broader understanding about children."

Veronika says: "When I was an au pair in Australia I took care of one little girl called Yasmine who was 3 and a boy called Kobe who was 6 years old. I had to drop him off the school and pick him up every day and during the time when he was at school I was with the girl. So we played and played. I used to make a breakfast and lunch for them. Once a week we attended a Kindergarten with Yasmine and a Playground. Sometimes I took care of them during the weekend when the parents went to the cinema or dinner. The kids were good behaved; they had very nice parents with sence of humor and with a big heart. They helped me with everything anytime and I felt like I am at home."

Priscila says: "I study environmental engineering at PUC Campinas University. I love this course because I can study math together with world problems like environmental issues. In April of 2008, I started to work in Hula Hoop, children's catering in Valinhos, I had to play with the children and give lunch or dinner for them, I have monitor course, so, I have to make different games for children. My boss, in the buffet, has three daughters and when she and her husband go out; I come to her house and spend all afternoon and night with Laura, Luana and Giulia. Luana is 6 years old, so, I bathe her after the obligations, we play games, and computer games. When they were tired, we go to the TV room to watch a movie."

Hong says:"During my practical training in a kindergarten, I had to work with children of different nationalities, for example: Portuguese, Ghanaian, Koreans, Indians, Spanish and many more. Now, I would like to get to know and take care of American children. I have got an European driving license and I did also a first aid course. I am convinced that I can cope quite well with children and the feedbacks of them and their parents always confirmed me with this opinion. They can see how much harmony and confidence is between their children and me. The kids and I always have a lot of joy playing together and we never get bored!"

Nadine says:"My hobbies are dancing, photography, computer, reading, cooking and cycling. I love car driving and I will drive with the car every day when I have my driving license. I am good for an Au Pair year because, I am nice, friendly, helpful and reliable and I have a quiet dealing with the children. I am careful with the kids and I am flexible and open- minded. In stressful situations I am composed and resilient and I think about the situation before I act. I want to go for an Au Pair year to America because, I like America and I like to work with children and I love it when the kids have fun and when they laugh."

Sabrina says: "My hobbies are playing the transverse flute, reading, going out with friends and Aerobics. I play since ten years flute and I am a member of the Orchestra from Niederlinxweiler. We rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday. Besides I am a student of the Music School from St.Wendel and there I get every Monday 45minutes one - to- one lessons in playing transverse flute. I did a work placement at a nursery school in St.Wendel and I had a lot fun there. The most time I played games with the kids or we went to the playground . It was a very nice time. I had no problems with the kids and they all opened up very fast. Sometimes in my freetime I visit the kids and bring them some sweets."

Aneece says: "I am also passionate about sport. My favorite sport is swimming. I was a member of the Aqua Bear Swimming club for several years. So, I regard myself to be an advanced swimmer. I was also a member of my high school`s water polo and netball teams. As is rightly said: 'A healthy body ensures a healthy mind.' I love reading. My favorite authors are Sidney Sheldon and Stephen King. I am an active member of the St Paul's Anglican Church. I am an alter server and help with the monthly fundraiser, which contributes to the rebuilding of the church. I am a qualified first aider and attained my Level 2 certification in 2010."