M.S.
consider a nanny. it could be a grandma, a mom who brings her own or a high school or college student. you'll have a lot more flexibility that way and the cost should be less. Our first nanny, we nanny shared to keep the cost down. We had one child and it was the same as using daycare. Our second nanny brought her own kid (then kids). We had two by that time and the cost was signficantly less than daycare.
look at nearby colleges/community colleges for students in early childhood. also consider an internet nanny provider - they're relatively inexpensive and will help w/the background checks.