I feel exactly the opposite. My friend has a licensed in home daycare and her care is way more personal than many of teh "professional" centers. Those children are well cared for, treated like her own, and leave that house in better shape than they entered. Her home is inspected, and the area she has transformed into her day care area is equipped with a separate kitchen, play area, craft area, and sleeping space for the childrens naps. Her yard has been transformed into a safe and engaging play yard that rivals some of the school yards.
I realize that you are discussing licensed vs unlicensed, but the reality is that there are many people who provide income care to children that is safer and more personal than the professional centers we associate with day cares.