Seven out of ten parents with children under age 5 want to stay at home with their kids, according to a new national survey of 815 parents conducted by Public Agenda. The survey, called "Necessary Compromises," also found that 63 percent disagree that a top-notch day-care center can provide care that's as good as what a child would get from a stay-at-home parent, and 71 percent agree that day care should be an option of last resort.

Furthermore, when asked what child-care arrangement is best for children in their early years, 70 percent said one parent at home, another 14 percent said having both parents work different shifts, and 6 percent said close relatives. Only 6 percent said a quality day-care center. Deborah Wadsworth, president of Public Agenda, says that parents "say day care has some benefits. But when it comes to handing their own child over to another adult they do not know, they are gripped by anxiety."