After combing the classifieds, checking references and conducting countless interviews, you've finally found a jewel of a sitter. Your children adore her, and you feel secure leaving them in her quality care. The question now becomes, how do you keep your sitter happy?

"Turnover is extremely high in the childcare profession, both because of poor compensation and because childcare providers don't feel that their work is sufficiently valued," says Ann Douglas, mother and author of The Mother of All Baby Books (John Wiley & Sons, 2002). "We all like to feel valued and appreciated, and childcare providers are no exception."

Indeed, the person you have chosen to care for your child holds a very important position. Childcare providers not only watch your children but also nurture them. They can provide a loving and stable environment when you can't be at home. With a job this important, it is essential that you maintain a good working and personal relationship.

How can you show your childcare worker how important she is to you? "In one word: respect!" says Erica McCarty, a Houston, Texas, mom who employs a childcare provider.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.