From what I understand it's never too early to start researching child care options.  I am due in March  with my first child.  My husband is an elementary school teacher, and I teach at the University of Northern Colorado.  Since I will be off on maternity leave for the end of the Spring, and we are both off during the summer we won't need child care until I return to work for the Fall 2010 semester.   Most of my co-workers have children that are much older and don't really have much advice in terms of local options.  I also get the impression that it is more challenging to find a spot for an infant (<1 yr old), our baby will be about 5 months old when we need to begin daycare. 

My preference is to find a licensed at home child care.  If anyone out there has any suggestions/references/openings coming up next year.... I would love to find out more. 

Thanks for any and all help!

Tina