My child was in daycare from a very young age and the care he got was amazing, they actually helped me.
They helped him settle into a better sleeping routine, and he absolutely loved daycare. He had the interaction of other children, lots of activities to stimulate his mind, crafts projects I would never have done because they were too consuming and messy, and has alway been very outgoing, friendly and able to relate to others in a way I can't, due to the positive influence of the carers and other children.
I went to several daycares before I chose the one I was happy with, and you are always welcome to sit and observe usually before committing.
There were many occassions I went to pick him early and he wasn't ready to come home because he was having such a great time and I went back just before closing. The staff usually very well trained in early childhood learning, which meant when my son start school he was well ahead of many of his peers. Daycare can be a very positive experience.