Need help choosing a daycare

[littlecappy2010]

I am going back to work Sept 1st and very reluctantly have to put my 7 month old in daycare. (I have a previous thread about this) I live in a rural area so choices are slim, and I can pretty much create my own hours because my good friend is going to be my boss. So my instinct is to work P/T and transition to F/T around his 1st birthday in Dec.
Here is what I've seen so far:
Daycare 1 has both F/T and P/T but when I went there it just didn't vibe with me. They didn't greet Eli at all, and the daycare worker was sitting right next to a kid with thick globs of snot running into his mouth. How long does it take to reach over and wipe his nose? And they knew I was coming, so it worries me- what goes on when parents aren't there? Would his basic needs get met? (And this was the most recommended facility)
Daycare 2 is awesome, a real comfortable family environment in a small facility. They fill up fast but have a P/T opening but I have to call TODAY if I want it or I lose it. The only catch here is that there are no foreseeable F/T openings, or at least not until he is around 15 months. That is a long time to stay P/T, but I am really loving this daycare.
Option 3 is a small home daycare where the main room is in the basement. The room is dark and there are not many toys, but the lady is sweet and really seems to enjoy kids.
Option 4 is a licensed home daycare with an older grandma type. She keeps the kids in the living room and the main focus is the gigantic TV. And there is a labrador that is supposed to stay in the kitchen but while I was there he got out and ran amok several times.
I can survive on working P/T but wouldn't have a ton of extra cash. But our bills would be paid and I wouldn't have to struggle.
I need to decide soon or else lose my spot at the facility that I love...
What would you do?

[TnMsMama]

take the one you love. I had to put my infant son in a daycare I didnt' trust and spent my days on the verge of vomitting I was so unhappy. Eventually I quit my job (in the middle of the day, sobbing) and ran home and grabbed him.

Unless you're totally comfortable with the daycare he's in, you'll never be able to focus on work or anything else. Call today! Get the one you love!

Plus, people drop out of daycare all the time - I'm sure a FT opening'll pop up before he's 15 mos

[Halfasianmomma]

I says boo to Daycare 1, 3 and 4, simply from what you wrote in your post. Like the pp said, it's so important that you be able to trust that your child is being loved and cared for the way you feel comfortable. Daycare 2 seems to have your heart, so go with that one. And you never know what will happen re: a FT opening...

I too had to make the mad daycare dash when I returned to work when DD was 10 months old (never slept away from me, never bottlefed, never ate any food, etc etc). I chose a small home daycare over the larger facility daycares downtown because I felt like the caregiver and owner were mommies, not employees. The transition was HARD for DD and me, but I felt safe leaving her there.

[simplemama32]

Another vote for the one you love! There is nothing like the peace of mind you get from knowing your child is okay when you have to leave them.

I'm kinda in a similar situation, but there are only 2 really good daycares in my area and they're both full. I'm on the waiting list for any openings (p/t, f/t) that might come up at either one, and luckily, we're not in a huge rush.

I think there's a very good chance that a f/t spot could open up soon for your LO!

[littlecappy2010]

Ok I called the one I love and reserved my spot! I feel so much better, and you guys are probably so right that a spot will open up sooner than they may think. Yay! Thank you all for your insight!