When I had Ashlea i thought i would never put her in day care unless i really needed to, like so i could work. But when she was about 10 months old i put her in for one day a week cause she was bored at home with me. we always did fun things like painting and playing but she needed interaction with other kids. She LOVED other kids. Day care has been brilliant for her. Now she is in 2 days a week, cause i study and work and do the single mum thing so i dont have a choice any way.
From a personal point, I have worked in a child care centre and as a private nanny, and i dont think i would ever leave Ash with a nanny. There are some really brilliant nanny's out there, but i know first hand how easy it was to get into the nanny agencies. You provide a few ref's, a police check and act nice and your in. I did temp work where i would met the parents for 15 mins before they left and suddenly in charge of their kids. Just seems you can't trust people with everything going on in the world at the moment.
Having said all that, i adored working with kids and loved nannying, although it got a little too much being surrounded by kids 24/7 after i had Ashlea. She used to come to work with me.
At least at a child care centre its by law that there are two people in the room at all time (never happens all the time but meant to) Therefore there are always other people around, most of the time.
I had an impossible time picking a day care for Ash because i'd see things that Ashlea's dad wouldnt, and walk out complaining about everything i didnt like, and the things that they did 'wrong' just from working in centres before.
In the end i love ashy's day care and all the people in it