The Daycare Jungle.

Noah has just turned 7 months old. The school year is nearing a close and I am sure that many teachers are aware that they still have so much to cover in a little over a month. (I say this because June is pretty much a write off as student's brains have already gone on summer vacation and you spend those last weeks trying to collect late work and prepare them for their finals.) I am thinking about the coming school year when I return to work.  Apart from the anxiety I get from wondering where I will find the time to be the teacher and mother I want to be, I am stressed by the daunting task for finding a good daycare.
The perfect daycare for me would include:
-nurturing and caring staff that will understand that Noah is not a napper and will not let him cry in a playpen for the amount of time they feel he should have slept for (this is a big fear of mine.)
-up to date safety (child first aid, CPR...)
-clean and safe environment
-stimulating atmosphere as he is a curious boy and I would like to foster this
-educational and age appropriate toys (toys that will not be swallowed...)
-lower child to caretaker ratio
-outdoor activities to promote fitness and discourage couch potatoe-ness
-exposure to the french language as it is part of his heritage
-gradual entry so that Noah can slowly get used to the idea of being left in someone else's care
-reduced summer rates as I can take care of him over the summer but would still appreciate a couple days off for mommy time.
... and the list goes on.

And of course, there is always the issue of price.  I told myself at the beginning of this that my child's care is invaluable and I would be willing to pay what it takes to ensure that he was in good hands.  Don't get me wrong, I am not going to settle on a daycare because of it's price, but I will be dissuaded by outragous rates.  There is a SAHM (not a liscenced daycare) who is wanting $900!  (I might as well stay home myself and save me the worry that he is not being well taken care of, the stress of finding the time to be a great teacher and an excellent mom and all the hassles in between.)

I have found my search rather difficult because many daycares are reluctant to take a 1 year old as it reduces the number of older children they can accommodate, thereby decreasing their overall monthly income.  Because of this, it is also more expensive to find care for a one year old.  What is also frustrating for me is the standard answer, "check back in July" since many of the daycares with infant opennings are hoping to fill them now and not for September.

After all this, I have found this "in the process of being licenced" daycare. And I am torn.  So I am just going to babble until I figure it out so just bare with me.

Visually, it isn't very appealing.  The walls need more educational posters (ABC & #) and some of the children's artwork along with a new mid-wall border as it is peeling off.
  However, she is taking two weeks of in July to repaint and redecorate. And it was very clean.
She has plenty of toys but not many that are suitable for a one year old.
  She has told me that she will be shopping for more toys if she knows that Noah will be in her care.  In fact she was going to go check out a daycare that was closing to buy stuff off them. In fact, she will be getting a playpen just for him.
Although she mentionned reading as part of their daily routine, I don't remember seeing any books.
  But then again, Noah is too young to read and at this moment uses books to chew on.  Besides, I am sure that I can donate a couple of books to start her library and subtly hint that her library is lacking.
Her English isn't perfect.
  But her French is better.
Her helper is only working part-time.
  But will begin working full time once another child joins the daycare making it possible to pay her.

On the plus side:
  She has all her CPR, child first aid and very promising references.
  She is taking the courses to be liscenced and is wanting to open a French daycare.
  She is five minutes away from my work and wants to eventually buy a house even closer.
  She would be personally responsible for taking care of Noah while her aid is mostly responsible for the toddlers (a set of twins full time and another 3 days a week).
  His nap area is completely separate from the other kids'.
  She provides snacks two times a day.
  They often go on picnics to the nearest park when it is nice.
  Her children go to my school and will one day be my students.
    My husband particularly likes this as it holds her more accountable since at some point we will be caring for the others' child.
  She will not charge me during the summer to maintain my spot. (Although I will be using her twice a week to provide mommy with some free time.)
  It is close to my school so if there is an emergency I can get there quickly.  This also buys me more time preparing for the next day rather than wasting the half hour driving to ensure I pick up on time.
  Her rate is very reasonable.
  We can begin gradual entry in August.

So at the end of the day it boils down to this.
Sure it isn't as developmentally stimulating as I would prefer.  But she is there to provide care, not education.  And, being in education, I wish parents would take to heart that they are their child's first teachers and should continue to provide their children with learning experiences.  Besides, if something is lacking that I find important I can always make a donation (so that others can benefit) or make sure that I make up for it at home.  And when the time comes, I can enroll him in a pre-school.
You can tell that she loves children and is very protective of them. She was even a lunch monitor at our school. Her daughters are very polite and well behaved. She stresses manners and consideration.  And let's be honest, who doesn't like a well behaved kid?

Noah is garanteed more personal time.  And that is key.  He will practically be getting one on one time all the time.  Not many daycares can promise this.
As an added bonus, he will be exposed to French.

I am just wondering where this hesitation comes from.
Is it because I didn't really know what to expect?  Was I expecting perfection? (I am a detail oriented perfectionist myself.)
Is it because I have never done this before?  Is it the fear of making the wrong decision?
Is this because I would be relinquishing complete control of his daily activities and happiness? (I am also a control freak.)
Is it because I am scared of leaving him with someone else?

I have until this coming Friday to decide.  Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.