if it wasn't permanently, then why did it matter?

what's the benefit of faster development? is there any?

in later stages kids growing up faster is associated with missing out on childhood experiences.

i don't see much benefit in daycare until kids are two to three years old.

that doesn't mean that the kids would be isolated until then. they can still meet other kids and play with them. it doesn't have to be daycare.

so barring any evidence of negative effects, both approaches should be equally valid. personally i would optimize for as much parent time as possible. some countries provide up to 3 years of parental leave. they would not do that if it wasn't for the benefit of the children.

we were able to afford a household helper, and i am working from home. we let the helper do the chores so i could focus my off-work time on taking care of the kids. i am not spending all time with them, but i am always around.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave#By_continent

it also lists pay, which seems to be a range of fully paid for part of the time, then partially paid and finally unpaid.

so in many cases you can only get the full 3 years if you can afford it, but having your job protected, knowing that you can go back to it is still better than outright quitting.