daycare for 6 month old??

ask around. get personal references, with either choice. even when you walk-through a childcare facility, you're going to be uneasy. none are as perfect as you want them to be. however, you can check the BBB for any judgements/etc against them. find one with a low child:teacher ratio, if possible. if its state-run, they will all have the same guidelines, probably. private daycare is not regulated the same.
whatever you decide, be OK with your decision. if it feels wrong, keep looking. if time isn't of the essence, you're doing well. if you need to go to work soon, you may have to pick something, while you continue to search. your child will be fine, though; don't let anyone tell you going back to work is wrong, for whatever reason you need to return to the workforce. tons of children are in childcare, and they are all perfectly cared for, and well-adjusted. if there aren't any other children in the home, its a great option.

interview and ask questions go to the daycare at different times of the day to see how they do things. I used to run a daycare I had an open door policy with the parents except at nap time I asked them to knock quietly first before walking in ( I posted a not on the door every day to remind them. You want some place that also has an open door policy. I had a schedule that I gave to each parent that we tried to stick to I was flexible with it to a point but we did try to stick to it, That way if a parent ewas dropping off late they would know what we were doing and where we were doing it. I always carried my cell phone when we left the house so parents could still reach me.
Did you ever think of opening your own in home daycare????
I work nights DH works days that way we don't need a sitter. What ever works for your family.
I would also ask around
good luck

BUMP!

i have been a SAHM for almost 20 yrs...i have no clue...i wish you luck though if this is the route you must take...i'm giving you a bump. have a good weekend.

contact your local child care resource and referral agency for a listing of licensed providers in your area
www.childcareaware.org

You can get leads on personal sitters at care.com and sittercity.com if you want to consider it.

research reasearch research!!! and do random drop ins!!

My older son has been in day care for YEARS and he is actually sick less than most kids. He was only absent two times this year and once was because the little twerp faked being sick.

I wouldnt leave my son with an individual- Id rather it be day care. At least day is helded to some time of standard and licensing. A woman who is at her own home is by her self no one to question her- how do you know shes not leaving your kid is a poop filled diaper for 5 hrs at a time? Hopefully, at a day care theres 3-10 people there and someone would change you kid...

If the daycare is a quality center you have nothing to worry about. However, do your homework first. Check to make sure they are accredited and in good standing with licensing. I have a neighbor that does in home care and she does a wonderful job. My oldest has been with her for 3 yrs and my youngest since mid-February. Licensing does check on her because she is registered and everything has worked out just fine.