You are totally not the only one. I have actually made plans to leave my job and be a stay-at-home mom because of this. Maybe it is just this area, but the daycares here are the type I wouldn't leave my dog at (one of the daycares is under an investigation!).  I think getting a job at a daycare to be around when your son needs attention is a fantastic idea, but beware the fact that you are predjudice and will definitely put your sons' needs before the other childrens': one of those things that will affect your job-performance.

Would it be possible to not work until your son is about 6 months old or so to give his little body time to adjust to the world, germs, and building up its' own immunities? Young children catch and spread sicknesses at an unbelieveable rate! I know in most situations this isn't possible.

Good luck! No matter what, you're Mommy, and because of that - I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

I spent 3 months alternating staying at home with my husband so my son could stay at home and we could use up all our family leave/vacation/days off.  I found a website that listed all the licensed day cares in my area.  I then called them, and then visited several.  Day care has been very good for my little guy and, if you can swing it, I think you should give it a try. 

I do know it is difficult.  I spent days crying about it. But, I've seen the positive effects of him being in daycare.  He is outgoing and used to other children (he's now 6 1/2 months old).  He's socialized!  He's taken to some of those things that he was skittish about at home: I know that he watches the (slightly) older babies in his daycare and figured some things out because of them.  Also, I've learned so much from the carers at his day care.  They've given me tips.  Also, they give me a filled out sheet of paper daily with his diaper changes, his eating habits, his sleeping habits -- I've learned so much reviewing these.  

It's expensive.  Basically, it's my salary that goes towards his daycare.  I probably have enough leftover to pay for gas and car insurance on a weekly basis.  My job isn't exactly rocket science, but if I lost a couple of years in the workforce because I took time out, I'd be afraid that I would never get back into it.  

I didn't get any support from my parents when I told them their first grandson was going into daycare.  Not surprising and my mother gave me a bit of a cold shoulder, but she came by and saw how lovely the daycare is and that there are several carers there who know -- I mean, they really know -- my baby.  It's unfortunate that I don't have any family around who can take care of him, but I can tell you that the daycare center has other kids in it whose families are in the same boat.  

As far as germs go, he's had one bad cold and one virus that went by quickly (and he shared it with me!) in the 3 and a half months he's been in daycare.  You can't tell me that staying home is better because I know a couple of parents who have chosen to stay home with their same-aged babies and they have had more health issues (anecdotal, I know).  It depends on the child, the day care center; heck, it depends on the weather, too!

I know of one carer who has her son at the center with her, and it looks like a great arrangement. She's "2nd in charge" so it's hard to say what it would be like if she was assigned to his age-group.  

In the end, do what you're comfortable with.