I was not going to weigh in on this issue... it seemed like a pretty incendiary thread already, and I did not want anything to get taken the wrong way.
But I believe that choosing a good childcare provider is like anything; it is about personal choice and balance. Does a parent have the right to ask all those questions... absolutely. But the provider also has the right to say that it is not a good fit. And in my area, I think that a parent would be hard up to find a provider that met ALL the criteria, without paying a ridiculous sum of money on a monthly basis. If that is what they are looking for, and that is what they choose, then so be it.
Personally, I do not believe that degrees and diplomas make a good caregiver. Take all the classes you want; nothing prepares you for being puked on, pooped on, shrieked at or bit by an angry toddler than actually going through it! I do not think that it is fair to say that you cannot find a good provider in someone who has no credentials to speak of.
The bottom line is; it is a 2 way street, and everyone involved needs to be comfortable with the arrangement. My heart honestly goes out to families who have dealt with unhealthy or abusive childcare situations. I would be like a momma bear on a rampage if I ever found out someone had treated my kids in a way that harmed them!! More so than documents, etc; a parent needs to trust their instincts and communicate honestly and openly with thier provider. A lot of issues can be solved with simple (non-confrontational, lol) conversations.