Going along with the stay at home or go to work topic, I thought I would share my thoughts on choosing a daycare:)  I have worked in three daycare centers in about eight years.  It was a couple of years ago that I worked in childcare, but I do have a couple of "insider" suggestions for parents who are picking out a daycare center.  One really good idea is to just drop in...don't call and make an appointment!  Walk in and really listen to what is going on.  I wont name the center I worked for that was not so great, but  I will tell you the director would freak out when people did that because things were not what they should be!  A good time to get an idea of what really goes on, is lunch time.  This is when staff is starting to take their breaks, and a good time to see if a center keeps their adult to child ratio.  Another important thing to do is ask lots of questions!  Important things to know are...what their ratios are...there are laws but some centers choose to have less kids per adult, and that is a really good thing.  Ask them about their staff's attendance...especially the lead teachers, some kids would have a very hard time with new teachers every day.  Also see how long the lead teachers have been in that classroom, the longer the better!  If you are checking out infant rooms, I would hang out for awhile and see how the staff responds to busy times when babies are up and needing care or crying.  That not so great center I mentioned, would leave babies in cribs to "cry it out!"  I worked there before I had kids, once I had Emma I had to find a new center..this is where your baby or child spends a lot of time.  They deserve a loving safe enviroment:)