childcare sos

i just had my baby 3 weeks ago but i’m already nervous about childcare & going back to work in the fall. i am a teacher & as we all know—my salary sucks. so i’m not only stressed about childcare but also how much money we will be putting towards childcare—it’ll essentially one of the 2 paychecks i get s month going towards childcare. so,i live in the town i work in & we secured an in-home daycare spot, but it is 30 minutes away. (it would cost $175 a week (plus gas and time, etc). our other choice is a lady who is willing to watch our baby at her house & in the town we live in (super convenient), but it’s not a daycare & she would want to be paid cash; $250 a week. i’m wondering what this would mean with our taxes? are there childcare credits/deductibles? if we go with the second option—we wouldn’t be able to claim the credit bc essentially it would be “under the table” right? i guess i’m looking for some advice & opinions! thanks!!