Congrats! :) The greatest factor in day care quality is not where it’s located, but the people who run it and how they do so. Either type of daycare can be excellent or terrible. Make sure you visit and observe any place you’re interested in sending your child. Some things to pay attention to: -Safety factors in and around the facility (including child-proofing, first aid procedures, and signing in and out procedures), -Licensing -The adult to child ratio, and the experience and educational backgrounds of the adults. -How happy the children seem to be (remember that some kids/babies are smiley pretty much no matter what, and some are grumpy even in the best situation) -Make sure their discipline philosophies are in line with yours -Make sure needs are attended to quickly, effectively, and pleasantly -Find out about the structure for an average day: Are kids just sitting there watching TV or entertaining themselves, or are there planned, educational, stimulating, purposeful, fun, and educational indoor and outdoor activities? -Find out their procedures for sick kids. -Also, make absolutely sure you know who will be with your child at all times, and make absolutely sure you are allowed to come in whenever you want. Get recommendations for places from your friends and neighbors, and make sure you talk to parents who currently use the facility. Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions. This is your child, and any care provider worth their salt will answer a zillion questions as many times as you need to ask them.