Need advice on daycare options

I need some advice. Currently, dd is 2.5 years, and attends a traditional center daycare near where I work. I will be having dc#2 in December. I plan on having both dc's home with me until I return to work in April. At that point, dd will be just shy of 3.5

When I return, family will watch the infant April-June (I have summers off), and then infant will go to daycare in September.

We would like both kids in daycare closer to home; having it near work is too much of a strain on me. Do I

1) start dd in a new traditional daycare in April, and then just start dc2 there in September so they are in the same place (but more costly and we are really strapped financially)

2). Find a preschool setting with extended hours for dd (less $$ than traditional), and a traditional daycare for dc2?

I'd appreciate any thoughts/feedback/things I haven't considered. Thank you!

Re: Need advice on daycare options

If you are really financially strapped, I would go with the first option. However, would it really be cheaper if you are paying for extended hours? I think that will make a huge difference. If you could make option 2 work, it will be MUCH easier on you. I had both of mine in the same daycare last year and only having one pick up in the afternoon was a dream. This year DS went to kindergarten and so I now have two stops to make in the afternoon. It extends my commute home that much more and is just overall much more inconvenient. But if you really can't afford it, then option 1 is totally doable.