That's not who you're looking for.  I don't think you're breaking etiquette--I think they are.  If it's a bad time, they should take your number and call you back.  

You have to kiss a lot of frogs.  I called almost the entire phone book before I settled on my dd's preschool.  Don't worry about making enemies--you're looking for a safe place for your baby and have a right to ask any questions you need to to feel good about it.  I say this as a long time childcare provider.  

If they treat you poorly, f-them. That is not good.

Where are you? I interviewed 52 different daycares in the Chicagoland suburbs, and maybe my research can help you out? I made scheduled appointments AND unscheduled visits. The daycare should be just as accommodating during an unplanned visit as during a planned one- maybe you'll have to wait for an escort to a room, but there should be NOTHING that they would hide from a potential client, especially a pregnant one. Sure, they are busy, but everything should be transparent.

Here's the thing- Chicago is very much the land of chain-daycares. They are franchises, and each are different. If you visit a Kindercare in Lemont, the one in Lombard will be completely different- hell, there are four in Naperville, I believe, and I found 2 of them to be excellent, 2 of them to be dumps.

You still have a bit of time to search, depending on how long you're staying home. I had a panic attack when I was pregnant because I thought I needed to book so far in advance. Most places are closed in the evening, and pick up and drop off times can be chaotic, as well as lunch, so if you can call around 10-ish, that should be the best time to find someone at the desk who isn't covering a break or whatever.

Make your calls, and then plan to take 1 day off to visit them all. You want to visit during the day when the kids are there- it's the only way you'll really be able to assess the teacher ratios and classroom set ups and see just how the class runs. I took my mother along with me because she is an infant care provider in Orland Park (I would recommend her room, but not the mini room that the kids advance to. donde los yikes with that room).

And to plug the two I've been with- the KinderCare in Naperville on Ace Lane has a great infant care and a step-up room I loved called the wobblers- it's a room for 4 kids who are still infants but are climbing / almost walking- they can see all the toddlers, do some things with them, but generally still take naps and eat like infants. That sort of set-up means that 9 month old babies have access to older children, they aren't mimicking the behavior of the 6 week olds they are with. But the school I love with all my heart is Lily's Creative World off Ogden and 75th (ish) in Aurora. Miss Ugna in the infant room is amazing. Every class is great. The teachers are all education certified, and they have a gym! Even infants get gym time. It's phenomenal.

And found a ton of resources to help when we looked at daycares.  Most of the places (both daycare and home care) we looked at did tours between 9 and 10:30 - after kids were there but before most activities and nap times so you could really see everyone in the room.  Although for our top choices we went back at other times to get a "full sense" of the day.  I did find that the easiest time to catch someone by phone was also in the morning.  And many of the daycares are closed after 6ish so it's hard to find someone then.  I agree with the previous post that there shouldn't be any cold treatment - you definitely want to be comfortable calling up when your daughter is there!  

For what it's worth, we not only called a number of places but then probably toured 6-10 (only about 4 daycare centers, but a number of homes).  It really helped - and it was interesting to see what my husband and I agreed on and disagreed on!  It was well worth the upfront investment because now I know that I'm comfortable where my kids are - and have a much better sense of the diversity of options.

Good luck!

When you go to make your calls or visits, have a list of things that are deal-breakers for you. Every person's list is individual, but you want to keep in mind a few things... these are things I really should have thought of the first time I picked a school!

Hours of Operation: (will it really be convenient to fight traffic at 5:30 in hopes of getting there?)

Late Fees/Activity Fees/Extras: (not as big a deal in infant care)

Teacher Qualifications vs. Experience: (hopefully both!)

Safety: Are teachers trained in infant/child cpr, emergency procedures, fire safety plan posted? How are children released/drop off procedure.

Child ratios, state law vs. actual ratios: (are they maxed out?)

Daily schedule: (Will they enforce their schedule, or are kids allowed to eat/sleep/play on their own/home schedule)

Hygiene/cleanliness procedures: (ask for copies of policy)

Meet not only teachers/aides, but folks who cover for breaks

Ask to speak to other parents re: their experience

Contact local licensing agency to check for complaints, up to date certifications, possible recommendations etc.

Good luck! I also went back to work a few days a week after Darling Girl was born and it was such a wrench for me, but ultimately it was so good for HER! She loves school now and as an only child it has given her much needed socialization.

We're on the north side around Montrose, but DH works in Evanston...we do not have a lot of money or a car, and I am told that centers start out far beyond what we can afford (starting at $300+/wk), so home care near a train/bus route it must be.  

I've talked to a few people IRL since I posted, and they thought that perhaps calling on Saturday afternoon would be better for the individual providers, since they wouldn't have to divide their attention quite as much.   Thanks for all the advice!

I just went through this process for my second child. Here are a few tips:

Introduce yourself first, tell them where you got their name and number, and ask  if they are still doing daycare (if the listing may not be current). Then ask if it's a good time to talk, or when a good time might be. Ask them if they have an infant opening for October to cut right to the chase. Sound friendly.

No one should make you feel like you are inconveniencing them by calling. If it's during business hours or they are busy with kids, they can choose to not answer the phone and call you back, which is what a lot (most) providers will do. Don't do business with rude people, it probably won't get better.

I don't ask a lot of questions on the phone-- if they have an opening, I set up a time to stop by at their convenience. Then I show up on time with my questions. Ask about sleeping areas (make sure you see them), if monitors are used, if they use a food program, if they will take expressed milk and what procedures are for that, drop off/pick up times, vacations, late charges. Ask what their potty-training philosophy is (it will come up sooner than you think). Ask how many kids there are and what their ages are, and how long they've been with the provider. For an infant, look for things like toys or furniture stacked too high, power cords, and other household dangers. Check the yard. Ask how often they play outside (especially in winter).

I have had very good experiences with home day cares (our bad experience was due to a difference in potty-training philosophies and  a contractual difference, not due to the quality of the care). I prefer home day care for babies and little kids, since centers tend to quarantine the infants in the infant room, and they rarely get to see older kids. It's also nice to have them in a home environment, since so much of their lives will be spent in an institutional one.

Above everything else, go with your gut. Good luck with your search!