Both my kids went to combination of home based care and day care. With a few exceptions kids only cry when they are hurt or are having a rough day. It worked for my kids BUT if I could have afforded a nanny who could have taken them to playgroup and gym and music and kept them home when they were tired and sick that would have been a far better option. Little kids don't need to socialise all day every day to learn socialisation skills and to be honest skills are probably better learnt in shorter bursts.

And NO child under school age should be expected to sit through academics except of their own free will OR ever given homework. I don't mean a 10 minute song, story etc session but even then the child should be expected and strongly encouraged but not forced.