How I know I've found a great sitter

A wonderful photo appeared on Facebook last week attached to my name. It was my boy eating edible chocolate clay his sitter made. He looked so happy that it made me feel happy. 

When I pick him up after school, he is happy, he is comfortable, he wants to STAY! Come later tomorrow Mom! Some days he's playing the Wii or watching over her younger brother's Kindle as he plays games.

Other times they're playing Uno, baking cookies or chasing the dog around.

I think there is no greater comfort as a mother who works than to find someone you can trust to care for your child.

I am the lucky recipient of such a person.

And not only that, best best of all, my son's sitter comes from a very God-centered home and is very God-centered herself. I am humbled that I could not ask for anything, anything, more than this.

We are so blessed. This is someone he already loves and I think he'll always remember.

So, how can you know if your child is in a great child care setting that fits your family and needs? Here are a few of my ideas on this based on experience with great and not-so-great care in the past:

• He or she seems relaxed, happy, comfortable, loved. 
• They want to STAY FOREVER!
• They are engaged in a variety of activities on different days when you come to get them. 
• There are rules, discipline and consequences, but done in a loving way with guidance as the goal. 
• Communication between you and the caregiver is frequent and open, on both sides. 
• Your child talks about her time with the sitter, shares stories. 
• Your child easily answers your questions about his or her time there with no hesitation. 
• He can't wait to go back! 
• YOU feel good personally when you pick them up, not worried or anxious about "how things went."
• If it's in-home, they feel like a part of the family when they are there. 
• If in-home, the person seems very responsible in their own life. 
• If it's a day care, they feel cared for there and not singled out yet also not neglected.
• If it's a day care, they are treated as an individual and their individual needs are met, not a one-size-fits-all approach to child care. 
• All physical needs are met: owwies, snacks, water.
• He can be himself and communicate without fear to his caregivers.
• He feels heard if he has a concern.
• The child care workers are open to your ideas and suggestions, and willing to try different discipline techniques. 
• Their basic life and child-rearing philosophy goes along with your own and what you want your child to learn.