Your baby warms up to him or her. It may take a while before your child grows to trust and love his or her caregiver, however you should notice your baby warming up after several sessions together. If this isn’t happening, it may be that the caregiver is not providing the kind of warmth and comfort your child needs. Even the best caregivers cannot replace you or your partner, but you want to be sure that the caregiver cares for your child just as much as you do.
 

The caregiver is genuinely happy to see your baby. If your caregiver truly enjoys spending time with your baby, you will know it and your child will sense it, too. His or her love will show every time they are together.
 

The caregiver comes up with creative solutions to problems and works with you to provide the best possible care for your child. You want a caregiver who will turn to you for advice. Taking the initiative and collaborating with you shows that he or she takes the job seriously.
 

The caregiver respects your time. A conscientious caregiver will arrive on time and call to let you know if he or she is running late. The caregiver will also give you ample warning when he or she is unable to care for your child and may even help you find a substitute caregiver.
 

The caregiver makes an effort to stay connected. A caregiver who takes his or her job seriously will keep you informed by leaving notes or even filling out a daily report. If you set aside some time for the two of you to catch up, the caregiver will understand that you want to know how your child is doing and notify you of any problems, big or small.
 

Your baby is clean, and messes aren’t left for you. Cleanliness is a sign of conscientiousness. You want your caregiver to be focused on your child and not preoccupied cleaning your home, however he or she should tidy up any messes they make. The caregiver should also wipe off your child’s face and hands whenever they get dirty.
 

Accidents are infrequent. Of course, tumbles will happen, but a good caregiver makes safety a priority both at home and when out of the house. The caregiver should look both ways before pushing the stroller across the street, keep a close eye on your child at the playground, and make sure safety gates stay closed. If the caregiver drives your child, you will want to ride with him or her before you send your child out alone. You will also want to make sure that his or her car is reliable, a car seat for your child is properly installed, and that he or she always buckles your baby up safely.