Nanny or Daycare for 8 Month Old Boy - Poll Shows Ratio of Students to Caregiver

So a bit of background. The baby only goes to daycare 3 days per week and my mom watches him the other 2. My husband and I both work corporate jobs. I drive 1 hour to and from work. My husband drives about 30 minutes each way. We live in the country so access to higher quality daycare doesn’t really exist. I am not comfortable driving the baby into the city with me (putting him in the car on the highway 2 hours per day). We are only looking for care for him until he turns 2 as there is a private school in the area that starts at 2. So 18 more months of care we are looking for.

Which leads to my question. I have heard great things about daycare (socializing, earlier speaking, sharing, etc.) But I haven’t had the best experience so far. Bad sleeping habits (they let the baby fall asleep in bouncer or high chair), finding scratches on his legs and butt, often left crying because not enough teachers to hug him, miscommunication around feedings. I know I’m being an overprotective new mom but am finding the time he is at daycare to be a distraction at work.

We can afford a nanny (not “the best” but a pretty good one) to come to the house. However, how can you ever really trust someone? The nanny we are looking to hire said she would be fine with me putting cameras in the house. She is a retired Registered Nurse.

Should I keep him in daycare for the socializing or keep him home for more one on one care? My pediatrician is really pushing me to get a nanny but wanted your ladies’ input! Am I missing anything? Am I doing my son a disservice by taking him away from other kids his age?