I can tell you from my experience that it sometimes takes a while to find the "perfect" option. I stayed home with my son until he was 9 months. I have had my son (3 1/2 now, only child)in both in-home childcare and in child care centers. I was a single mom when my son began childcare and am currently living with my fiance. From my experience, I like the centers better, but you have to find the right one for you. My son (James) first went to an in-home child care. I really liked the idea because he would be around other kids, but it was still small and homey. The problem was that if his provider was ever sick, I had NO childcare options because I was single, and at the time, I did NOT have a very understanding job. Also, she closed for the entire month of August. James' biological father lives out of state, so there were no options except to seek childcare elsewhere.
The first center I had him at was very nice and I liked it a lot, but it was quite large and he seemed to get sick a lot. Also, and this realization came later, James didn't really click with the center. Most young children seem (at times) like they are always sick, but I noticed a difference the next time I moved him. The center he is currently at is a good size, but not HUGE like his other center was. It is a center where they speak Korean (my son is not Korean, just happened to be the one accepting kids his age). From day one, James was extatic about it. He just loves it there and the people there treat all the children as if they were their own. That is something that I did not notice at the other center or even really think about until they started asking me why I like them so much.
Keeping your options open is a good idea. If you do have someone privately (or in home situation)look after your baby, make sure to have a back up plan at the ready. Thankfully, I work for a much more understanding company now and if my son is sick, no worries. Also, last year my fiance and I traded whose turn it was to stay home with him after I ran out of sick time. Also remember that you are paying for the childcare, so you can change the provider any time you choose to. Sometimes you have to try several places before you find the one that your baby really clicks with. You will know if your baby needs a change of scenery...just follow your instinct. Good luck. Take your baby to the various places you choose to visit to see how he/she takes it all in. That will give you a lot of clues in reaching your decision. Good luck!