I was a SAHM for 7 years and then I went back to school. I was really worried about how my 1 and 3 year olds would fare, especially since my oldest 2 had had me all to themselves until kindergarten. I had a lot of fear going into it. Honestly, it's been great. I'm glad they are in an "institution". The people who care for them have a 2 year diploma on childcare and they are loving and professional. There is oversight and supervision with 2 care providers in each room and circulating staff as well as the manager who checks in with the rooms frequently. They eat the nutritious food they're served because all the others kids are eating it and they are really engaged all day. Plus they are happy. They like their providers, and my 3 year old likes her little friends. My 1 year old is moving to the toddler room soon and I am a bit anxious about that but I think she'll be okay. As a SAHM I worried a lot about whether or not I was giving them enough outside interaction and stimulation. We did go out a lot and do many things and I think the kids fared fine at home too. I think both ways are just great. I would say my younger two are a LOT more comfortable with other people than my older two were at their ages. My first two didn't want to be without me. But at 5 and 7 they are both outgoing now too.

However I would be a lot more hesitant to use an in home care provider because there is less oversight and it is entirely dependent on the person who runs it. I'm sure there are some amazing in home providers, heck I was one for a while. But for me I would prefer the oversight that comes from an institutionalized setting.

as for me, I had a nanny growing up. I think I turned out fine. I do miss the nanny though, she was with us from when I was a baby until 5 full time and then babysat for us frequently until I was 10 when my parents and her had a falling out. It was really hard :(