The Au Pair Training School schedule is intensive as au pairs are learning a variety of topics and engaging in lots of individual and group work.
Review all class topics covered and see the schedule for their time at the Training School.

There are two 30 minute breaks between classes (one in the middle of the morning and the other in the afternoon) as well as hour-long periods for meals. During the 30 minute breaks, au pairs will commonly gather in the hallways in poor weather or sit outside in good weather and socialize. This is also a time for them to come and visit the school store to pay for merchandise or the New York City tour.

The school also has a snack shack, which is stocked with all sorts of goodies and bottles of water. Everything is $1, and 100% of the profits go to Kids First, a philanthropic division of Cultural Care Au Pair. The mission of Kids First is to make a difference in the lives of children in the U.S. and overseas through events and donations.

When au pairs break for lunch or dinner, they have time to eat or get Internet access either by wifi on their personal computers or in the public computer labs.

Throughout the week, au pairs have free time in the evening, during which time they are allowed to leave the campus. Most often, they are visiting with friends, relatives or their host families who may live in or be visiting the area. There is also a small plaza with a grocery story and a few restaurants across the street from the school, and au pairs sometimes pay a visit.

The store’s most popular items are certainly the pink bowling bags with the Cultural Care logo and the gray hoodie with the training school’s name printed on the front (both can be purchased on the online store through your online account as well). Other items include other assorted pieces of clothing as well as smaller items like notebooks, key chains, and water bottles.

If you are a host family and would like to purchase a Welcome Basket or pay for the NYC tour for your au pair, please see the following FAQ on your right: "What if I want to send something to my au pair while she/he is there?"

Most of the four-hour guided tour of the city takes place in a coach bus with a tour guide. For some parts, the group will exit the bus and take pictures. For one hour, the group typically takes the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty from the water, as well as a breathtaking view of the New York City skyline. Depending on the weather, this is occasionally omitted. Once the four hour tour ends, au pairs have the option of spending 2 hours of free time shopping, getting dinner, and touring on their own.

They can also opt to take a second tour to see the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. This offers a second view of the city from 70 stories off the ground, 360 degrees wide. The experience is truly one of a kind, and comes highly recommended.

Unfortunately at this time, we do not accept credit or debit cards. American dollars are the only currency we accept. During the free time period in NYC, there are many banks and foreign currency exchange buildings that will be able to change different currencies for US Dollars.

Yes, au pairs are assigned to rooms and roommates before they arrive. We try to place au pairs with a roommate from another country so that cultural exchange begins right away and the au pairs get used to speaking English. The rooms are typical college-style dorms with 3-4 people per room in single or bunk beds.

Depending on the time of year, the climate at the school can be very hot or cold. Packing appropriate, comfortable clothing is the key to a successful first week in the USA!

Research typical temperatures to figure out the type of clothing will be best suitable for a week in New York. Comfortable walking shoes as well as a pair that can be worn in the shower are highly recommended.

At different times of the year, we can use anywhere between one and all three dormitory buildings to house au pairs. The staff asks all au pairs to pack one smaller bag to be used at the training school (preferably a carry-on) for ease of access in case the bigger suitcase(s) is/are stored in our storage building, but also in the event that a bag is delayed by an airline, au pairs will have some fresh clothes while they wait for the company to deliver the rest of their luggage. If only one dormitory is used, all luggage will stay in the rooms. If a particular group requires more than one dormitory, bigger/heavier bags will be stored in the luggage storage room.

It is definitely recommended that au pairs bring at least one adaptor, not only for use at the Training School, but during the year at the host family’s house as well. It is a good idea to read up on the difference between American voltage and voltage systems from other countries to determine which appliances are worth bringing and which can be purchased in the USA.

At the school, we have some hair dryers and alarm clocks available that can be borrowed for the week. While there are no stores in the immediate area of the training school that sell adaptors, there certainly are plenty in NYC that au pairs can and do visit during their free time after the tour.

Yes! You can leave a message for your au pair asking her/him to call you by calling the Training School office at 631-218-3708. You can also send an email to aupair.training.school@culturalcare.com or send a message to your au pair via facsimile at 631-218-3806. Au pairs follow a very busy schedule at the school, and all classes and activities are mandatory, so return calls and e-mails are limited to designated free periods.

Au pairs are free to use any of the pay phones on campus. Cultural Care makes inexpensive international phone cards available for purchase should they wish to do so. "House" phones are located in the dorms. These phones accept incoming phone calls so au pairs may be contacted by their families, host families and friends.

There is wireless access in all dormitories if au pairs choose to bring their own laptops with them. Au pairs will also have access to computers throughout the week in the two labs on campus. One small lab is located in the main dorm (Molloy Hall) and a much larger one can be found in the administration building. Au pairs are allowed to use the computers during their breaks, mealtimes and free time in the evening.

You can purchase a customized Cultural Care Au Pair Welcome Basket for your au pair to be delivered to the school while she/he is there. All of our welcome packages include a New York City tour, a Cultural Care Training School Photo CD, snacks, Cultural Care gear and other popular au pair items. You can add a personal note to your au pair and the basket will be delivered once all au pairs have arrived. Visit our online store to order a basket. Your au pair will love all of the fun, exciting and useful gifts in the Welcome Basket. And, you have an easy, practical way to say "Welcome!" to your au pair!

If you would like to send your own personalized gift, you may do so and mail it to your au pair's attention at the Au Pair Training School to the following address:

Cultural Care Au Pair
500 Montauk Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769

First things first, make sure you have all your bags! It may take some time for all of them to come off the plane, especially if the flight was an international one. If it turns out a bag is delayed, simply file a report before leaving and a staff member at the school will follow up with the airline. The next step is to locate a transportation representative. He/She will be holding a Cultural Care Au Pair sign. If the flight was international, the representative will be waiting at the Ground Transportation Area. If the flight was domestic, they will be waiting by baggage claim. No matter what type of flight an au pair takes, do not leave the building! If there are any problems relating to travel (missed, delayed, or canceled flights, unable to locate the driver, etc), do not hesitate to call the emergency staff cell phone: +631-433-0137. This phone is carried by a staff member at all times.

Au pairs who are traveling by plane to their host families on Friday will each be given a card with instructions prior to departing from the Training School in case something changes in their itinerary (missed, delayed, or canceled flights). We encourage au pairs to stay in touch with host families about estimated departure and arrival times, or to call the Boston office (number is supplied on instruction card) for assistance in contacting host families.

Yes, all au pairs can be picked up at the school. The school address is 500 Montauk Highway in Oakdale, NY (on Long Island). Acceptable pick-up time is between 9am and 10:30am each week on departure day (usually Fridays, although some weeks pick-up is on Saturday). If this is not convenient, au pairs can either take a bus or a plane to the Cultural Care gateway closest to your family.