For or against collective childcare?

Collective childcare has advantages and disadvantages. We've tried to list them here so you can find a balance between "for" and "against", and make your own choice.
Because the different types childcare are many and varied. The key is to find the one that best fits your personal situation.

The "pros" of daycare

The first advantage is that your child will learn to socialize with others, before he or she enters school. Your child will have an easier time entering preschool or kindergarten since he will know how to make  friends and follow the rules. Just take a look at this blog from "T" at Happy Soul Project who feared her daughter would be teased by other children but instead, the first thing she got was a hug from another little girl. 
Daycare is a way to socialize the child, but it's equally an opportunity for the parents: you'll meet other parents, and certainly make friendships in the reception of the daycare! 

 The staff is competent, trained, and there are requirements regarding the ratio of children to staff. They are fully focused on teaching your child and helping him or her grow (they don't need to worry about cooking or doing housework, for example).  

The children's activities are varied.

You don't need to prepare meals or buy groceries for your child's meals at day care

Day care centers are strict about hygiene and undergo safety inspections from public health inspectors.

Another important argument: no administrative worries! The daycare manages everything, and you pay your bill at the end of the month.

The "cons" of daycare

First, it's difficult to get a subsidized space (unsubsidized spaces can be quite expensive). Being stressed out about your childcare during your mat leave.. well, that's not very fun !

The day care is often noisy. For a child of 4 years, it's fine, but for a 1 year-old, quiet is still important.

The time spent at the day care is less personalized: the individualized needs of each child are not able to met as much as with individual care arrangement, such as a nanny (although staff often worked miracles to accommodate everyone!).

The hours are limited and fixed. If you have an atypical schedule, unexpected meetings, irregular travel times to and from work... day care is not for you.

Children are often sick because they share everything with their friends, especially their germs! Although research shows children who attend daycare are sick more often at the time but have higher immunity to infections later in life. Consult this article for more information.

And sick children are not accepted. Tolerance depends on the guidelines, but children who are ill or contagious child can't be admitted.

Finally, adaptation to daycare is sometimes difficult, especially for infants between 8 and 15 months.

Some further "cons" can be read in Scary Mommy's blog 8 Enemies of the Daycare Mom including the wretched yet unescapable Germy Kid.