S.S.
I understand your dilema. My husband & I both have retail careers, so our 22 month old daughter only goes 3 days a week (about 20 hrs), but we pay for full time. It is worth it to us to have her in a structured learning environment with a sense of normalcy & structured learning. Our director will occasionally give us a free week because we pay for a month at a time & often she is not there. You might discuss this option with the daycare centers you interview. I wish our daycare was close to you. Adventure land is fine for occasional babysitting, but will end up costing you as much if not more than just paying for full-time daycare. There are affordable places out there-- you just have to really search. Check out the independent daycares- not the franchises. Best of luck to you!