If your baby has arrived, wait until you and your baby have settled down. Then get a friend, relative or sitter to look after your baby while you look for daycare. Set aside time on several days just to make phone calls or visit daycare facilities. If you're planning to have someone babysit in your home, invite sitters for interviews. In-home care is usually the most expensive kind.
Daycare centers are much larger and take many children.
In-home care has some obvious advantages. Your baby gets attention, love, and care from one person who's there when you can't be. If you work odd hours or need to travel, an in-home caregiver may be better able to adjust to your schedule. As the demand for high-quality child care increases, the number of trained nannies who live with families is growing. This is the most costly type of child care, however.