Loving care, responsiveness, stimulation, and attention to building your child's self-esteem.

A safe healthy environment

Honesty. Caregivers should share information about problems or accidents.

They should pay income taxes and meet all legal requirements

Acceptance of your own wishes on matters such as discipline, seat belt/car seat usage, TV watching, food, toilet training, smoking, etc.

Advance notice of changes, such as in hours, or costs. You should have between a month and 6 weeks notice if a caregiver can no longer care for your child. Support for your family. Caregivers should not be critical of your family's lifestyle or values and should not be involved in your family disputes. They should respect your religious beliefs and cultural background.

Acceptance of you as the most important person in your child's life. Advice should be offered in a non-critical way.

Assurance that everyone in contact with your child is trustworthy, properly trained, and continuously supervised. This includes caregivers' friends and relatives, custodial help, transportation workers, and visitors.

No Surprises. Your child care provider shouldn't suddenly announce that her teenage daughter will be watching your children 3 afternoons per week, nor should a favorite day care teacher disappear without explanation.

Agreement on terms and arrangements (fees, hours, etc.) in writing.

Honesty and trust. Show your trust by asking questions and not jumping to conclusions when you have a concern.

Advance notice. Provide at least a month to 6 weeks notice of changes in your child care plans.

Consistency. Pick up your child on time and follow through on agreements. If you are to supply diapers or other items, bring them before as they are needed. Healthy children. Agree in advance about when you can and cannot bring a sick child.

Payment on time. Your caregiver provides for his/her family with his/her income.

Respect your caregiver as a professional. Taking care of children is his/her profession and a demanding job. Value your caregiver because he or she is an important person in your child's life.

Understanding and support for your child's feelings toward his/her caregiver. A child who spends hours with a caregiver should love that person, but this should not diminish how your child feels about you.

No surprises. Caregivers don't like surprises anymore than parents do. Caregivers should know ahead of time about changes in your child-care needs and about your concerns.