We went to see many centres when we were looking for care for our son (he was only 8 months old at the time). We just could not imagine leaving him in any of those places, even the nicer ones. It seemed so institutional...like an orphanage Aside from the impersonal feeling and large group, the cost was very very high! The one daycare that had a space was going to cost us $1700 per month....which was close to my entire salary at the time. I think for many parents it is the cost that first stops them from going the centre route.