Tewksbury au pair service announces new prices

By Staff reports

GateHouse News Service

Posted Jan 14, 2010 @ 12:00 PM

Tewksbury — New Jersey

In response to the economic situation and feedback from local families, Cultural Care Au Pair, a cultural exchange and childcare program that serves families in the Tewksbury area, has made several changes to its prices and pricing structure.

“We know 2009 was a hard year for many people and we saw strong interest in the au pair program as many at-home-moms considered returning to work and families were looking for more affordable childcare,” said Katherine Medeiros, senior vice president at Cultural Care. “Our new families, as well as our long-term repeat families, told us that they needed more flexibility in payment options and price considerations to make things work. We knew we had to listen.”

As a result, the company is keeping their prices the same for the second year in a row and has the same program fee in 2010 as it did in 2008. Cultural Care also has lowered their application fee, reduced the payment plan fees and created several new payment plan options that help lower the initial cost for welcoming an au pair.

Effective Jan. 4, new families applying to the program will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee, a savings over the previous $350 application fee. Upon finding the right au pair, a $275 selection fee will be due so the au pair can finalize arrangements to come to the U.S. Offering this new payment structure not only helps secure the au pair for the family, it allows the visa process to begin moving forward.

In addition, families now pay a reduced cost to enroll in a payment plan and more flexibility when it comes to making payments. The extended payment plan option has a lower initial deposit and families now have the option of making a payment in three easy installments or they can log into their host family account at their convenience and pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly — whatever works best for the family. Repeat families have the additional benefit of a waived application fee and other repeat discounts.

“The new payment plan options, reduced fees and the 2008 price guarantee are very exciting, as it makes it more affordable for families to host an au pair,” said Marion Goodwin, childcare coordinator in Tewksbury. “Many of my families have already commented that the new options make it easier for them cover the cost of the program, while still affording them the benefits of the au pair program in a challenging economy. As a result, they can continue to enjoy all the benefits they have enjoyed from Cultural Care Au Pair in the past — and even more.”

For more information, contact Marion Goodwin at 781-648-2410 or marion.goodwin@lcc.culturalcare.com.

About Cultural Care Au Pair

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare in the United States. Now in its 20th year, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 75,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes since 1989. A U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide and more than 600 local coordinators across the U.S. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit www.culturalcare.com or call 800-333-6056.