Why does being at home have to equate doing nothing?
My husband and I both work full time, but both did 5 days over 4, so each had 1 weekday with our children when little. We did playdates, baby classes, swimming, trips to park. And just got to know them.
And 3 full days nursery. By day 3 they were absolutely wrecked, so after 6 months I chose to cut my hours so only 2 days in nursery. Yes, a good nursery supports development and has lots to do, but its not home. Their naps get disturbed by other children, they are 1 staff to 4 children, so the children often have to wait for cuddles, for feeds, for nappy changes as all staff busy.
It's all about balance. Balancing need to work with child's needs, balancing your job with your partners, time at home 1 to 1 with primary caregivers with stimulation in a nursery.
And plan for then to miss about 50% of days in first few months as will pick up lots of bugs.
And with comments re health care/hospital workers - our hospital nursery openned 8am -6pm, and maximum a child was allowed to attend was 30 hours a week.