Daycare help!!!

Can I suggest you maybe try something like porse. I only suggest this because they are often a lot more flexible with hours and they may be able to suit your needs better. I think often people are pleasantly surprised with the cost of the care as well.
In terms of daycares in the city I am no help there but am very sorry that you have had this exprience. I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a good place for you.

I would look at ABC, there are heaps around. If you can afford center care I would go with that.

I was booking my 3yr old into home care, I know the lady that does it & she lives within walking distance of home. I was only doing a few hr while DS2 was at kindy so I could haver some me time. Anyway went for a home visit the other day & was shocked, nice home but the tv shopping channel was on, not really any outside space to play (we have the same problem here), the house had a funny smell, they have family moving to NZ staying that don't speak english & family in & out all the time, the toy area was a like 2x2 no carpet or mat which had a latch for a seller door. So not much toys & he wandered around the house & was not stopped, in the bathroom etc. She has no other kids yet. I got bad vibes so now have to turn around & tell her no thanks, very awaked but you need to be happy about where your kids are.

Oh & the other thing I really liked the Pores program they are meant to do with the kids, but I know mine would not have had it more like a baby sitting service.

I haven't had any experience with either of these places but I know there are Kindercare Centres in both the ANZ Buildling (Lower Albert St) & PWC Building.

I would not recommend ABC, I have relieved in many ECE centre, barnadoes centres are good or like others have said homebased care, choose someone who shares a similar philosophy about caring and educating kids :)

We've managed to organise our hours with DH to make it work for us.
I drop the girls at daycare at 9am and start work at 9:30am - it does mean I don't finish until 6pm though.
DH starts work at 7am and finishes 3:30pm and picks up the girls from daycare at around 4pm

Both my girls are at an ABC centre and we've been quite happy with it.

We have decided to move DS to ABC when he turns 2 (can't get in sooner) but DS is happy and settled so we are happy to wait.

Do your research on daycares and try to visit a few as you will get a feel for which ones you do/dont like by comparison. I personally don't like homebased but thats just me.

At the end of the day, I don't think you can ever be 100% happy with a daycare/other care as its not you that is looking after him/her (IYKWIM).

Where on the shore are you? Do you have to use a daycare in the city?