As a childcare professional, and a parent of many years I have made it my business to understand the needs of the small child (and the bigger ones lately too! LOL) I understand that as new parents you can overwhelmed with making the "right" choice for your child and your childcare needs. If you don't have immediate family ready and willing to look after your little one when you go to work it can be very hard to navigate the daycare world and find the right answer for you. There are seemingly many options and choices and in all price ranges too!
Each and every person will develop in their lifetime a model that the believe to be the right way to raise a child. My model has come to be the attachment model, and I firmly believe children should not be exposed to an institutional environment (large daycare center) until at least the age of 36 months or more. Studies have born out the fact that babies and toddlers develop better emotionally if they have a good primary bond with one caregiver (typically mom) and "can avoid stress and anxiety (in non-parental daycare) if they develop a lasting secondary bond with one caregiver who is consistantly accessible to them." (Sir Richard Bowlby, 2007)
This is why I believe a home daycare is the best non-parental form of care your child can receive during their formative years. Please take the time to consider this when making your daycare choice.