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I'd go with your SIL! In any other situation, except the individual nanny, assuming you don't nanny share, there will be a far higher ratio of kids to adults than 2:1. And your LO getting to spend time with her grandma, cousins, and aunt sounds ideal. And the 2 yr old should be of an age where they don't need to be held all the time etc, which means two adults for two babies is more than sufficient.

ETA: just reread your post, it will be a nanny with your MIL, oops. Still doesn't change my view though - I think it would be a great arrangement. Would you contribute to the cost of the nanny?

option 1 is a no brainer to me! 2 people can definitely handle 3 kids at daycare the ratio at best will be 1 to 4!

Option 1, then 2, then 3.

I love daycare but for a little older. Lots of illness before age 1 is hard.

Absolutely number 1. I'm not sure why two women couldn't handle 3 kids. I handle two on a daily basis and three often (ages two and under) and as long as the women are good with children all should be well with that ratio. There would also be additional kids for your DD to socialize with and best of all they are family.

My second choice would be nanny (but it wouldn't be free and you wouldn't have other kids around for the social aspect) and last daycare.

My vote is for daycare because it will be the most consistent environment. Our daycare never closes, except for a few holidays during the year - so we know that no matter the weather, we can always take our daughter in. Even though she has been sick her fair share of times, we have always been able to make it work out, whether one of us takes time off work or we use family. So it might be nice to have your SIL's house as your backup for a "sick" day when a quieter environment is what your daughter needs. But the socialization and daily structure, plus the educational options (even at that young of an age, they are learning!) far outweighs the other pros for me.

I would do 1 for sure. The chance to be with family is great. I grew up spending summers with my cousins at my grandmother's, and we all loved it. That being said, it absolutely shouldn't be free. The nanny needs additional compensation for the extra work.

My second choice would be a nanny, but I'm not personally pro-daycare so I'm never going to lean that way.

Option 1 definitely (though I would expect some payment to be involved?)

@reyorra: I agree.

I vote for daycare. One of the reasons is that you have control as the parent. You don't really have to worry about hurting anyone's feelings by being firm about what you want because you're paying for it and daycare teachers are used to getting different instructions from parents. I'd hate to have my MIL watch my kids and then end up butting heads with her and dealing with family drama!

Option 1 hands down!

A few questions:
1. Has the nanny worked with MIL before?
2. Will your SIL pay the nanny extra money for also taking care of your child?
3. Will your MIL and nanny take the kids on outings?

SIL- she gets the interaction with other kids similar to daycare plus she gets to have all sides of her family as caregivers. Luckily little girl!