Despite many advances, barriers to high quality childcare in the United States remain pervasive. Childcare quality and availability is highly stratified by socio-economic status (SES); children of lower SES are less likely to receive appropriate childcare services, and are more likely to be affected by poor quality child care. With more parents needing to work to support their families, many children lack a family environment with two present parents. With individuals also choosing to have children later in life, many individuals grow up without grandparents or relatives from older generations, and so they lose out on valuable perspectives in life. 
Using a voluntary quality rating and improvement system, a study in New York found that quality childcare programs provide clean and inviting spaces where children can explore, learn, and interact with others. Importantly, active listening by adults is prominently featured in the results of the survey.
Such results show a need for daycare services that provide such opportunities.