Local Child Care Provider Named A Connecticut Au Pair Of The Year

Caring, dependable child care is hard to find, and exceptional child care is even more rare. But the Parry family of Newtown recently struck gold when they welcomed French au pair Clarisse DeCourtye into their home.

Ms DeCourtye provides live-in child care for the three Parry children, who are ages 6, 4 and 1, and her outstanding dedication and enthusiasm in caring for them led Comfort and Richard Parry to nominate her for Au Pair of the Year. Sponsored by the International Au Pair Association, the award recognizes au pairs around the world who are supportive, responsible and exceptional providers of child care to their host family.

Ms DeCourtye is living with the Parry family in Newtown as part of the Cultural Care Au Pair cultural exchange and child care program. She cares for the family’s children in exchange for the opportunity to live in the United States and become part of a real American family.

This year, Cultural Care selected 27 state winners based on the nominations submitted for the International Au Pair of the Year award.

“Cultural Care has a strong record with this prestigious award, with au pairs from our program winning in both 2008 and 2009,” said Susan Robinson, vice president of communications for the organization. “We were overwhelmed with the number of nominations we received this year and wanted to do something to recognize more of these exceptional young women.”

“We knew that we were signing up for a cultural exchange, but what we got was so much more. Clarisse has taught us the meaning of courage, fortitude, and dedication. She has improved our lives on a deeper level than we had ever anticipated,” said Comfort Parry. “Clarisse makes our children feel loved every day, and as a mother, there is nothing more important to me or for which I am more grateful.”

Diane Salvo, the local child care coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, is also happy with Ms DeCourtye’s efforts.

“Clarisse has gone above and beyond to create a healthy and enriching environment for her host children, while also challenging herself to learn a new language and culture. She is a great role model for her host children and other young women and men in the state,” said Ms Salvo. “Clarisse’s commitment and dedication to her host family and community certainly make her the Au Pair of the Year in Newtown as well as Connecticut.”

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural child care and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 80,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes. A division of EF Education and a US 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. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit CulturalCare.com or call 800-333-6056.