It really depends on where you take your baby.  I know that in-home daycare is cheaper than a commercial daycare.  I have 2 kids in a commercial daycare and I believe an infant rate is about $200 a week.  It's pretty costly but I wanted both kids to go to the same place (my oldest one was already in the preschool program and is now in the pre-k program there), didn't want to have to worry about the sitter going on vacation/calling in sick and trying to figure out who would watch them during that time.  It's just my husband and I out here, with all our family in other states, so we really needed to make sure that we could count on the place being open no matter what.   Also, the place we take them to offers Spanish, computer classes, gym/sports classes, Gymboree music, brings outside people in for events such as the Creepy Crawly Zoo, Story Tellers, fire department, etc...  It's structured with a heavy emphasis on education through play.  So although I am paying more I think my kids are benefiting a lot from being there so it's worth it for us.  I know that based on the preschool/ pre-K curriculum there, they are actually going to know a majority of the stuff that is going to be taught at the kindergarten level before getting into kindergarten and will be more than ready to enter school when the time comes for each of them.

As you might guess I am just partial to commercial daycares myself and absolutely love the one I have my kids in but I have heard from a lot of my neighbors that have their kids in the in-home daycares out here and they are raving about the ones they send their kids to.   A neighbor of mine even has a preschool program out of her house that I've heard is great but I don't believe she takes in babies.  The main thing is for you and your baby to feel 100% comfortable with who you are leaving them with, regardless if it's a commercial place or an in-home place.

If you would like to know more just send me a PM.