We had an older lady and she was able as the one last year to get them to sleep before we returned from our dinner for our Anniversary. My kids were almost 3 and 6yo. We take a pager and a cell phone so we are easily reached. My kids love the Disney channel so they did that a while and walked outside with her . She did bring some toys as well.
She commented on the new management not being as organized as the old. I noticed that they had raised the rates $3-5 dollars an hour over last year.
I think it is a help for them to have an early nite in the middle of the week. I was a little nervous leaving them with someone who is unknown. My older son now is fully able to use the phone. He has a fairly good head on his shoulders. That's no guarantee of safety, but I feel better than if they were younger.