I can only tell you from the perspective of someone who uses FDC and talking a bit to my carer. (I should point out here that I would not cope very well with being a day carer, so I am just going to point out all the bits I can see that would be really hard- but maybe just hard to me, not to you iykwim):

- The house is always FULL of toys. Not just the usual kid clutter, but toys EVERYWHERE. LOTS of them.
- There is no division between home and work. Your home always has people coming in and out of it, and kids all over it and through it. Not much is private.
- Its always really loud. If you have a headache or need a nap or something, it just can't happen.
- My FDC provider complains about all of the regulation and paperwork, which she says is overwhelming. Many, many weekends she is off doing the necessary courses etc and you have to re-do them every couple of years. She has to keep all sorts of records and paperwork (eg- everyday that Peter is there, she is supposed to write a little paragraph about his day and things he did).
- You can't put on TV or play the radio when the kids are there, its "against the rules", unless you are playing children's music (but no TV at all).
- its always chaotic and messy

So those are all the things that would drive me crazy!!! But my carer loves having that kind of open house full of people and kids, so she thinks its great. Guess it depends on what you guys are like.

I would add one general word on working with your partner- I work with my hubby and while its generally great, there are certainly lots of possibilities for increased conflict. My best advice is to make it really clear from the outset who's role is what and what you expect one another to do. Helps heaps!

Good luck, sounds like an exciting idea!