Other factors that parents valued include a safe and secure environment, kind and caring staff, learning through play and being regularly consulted on their child's progress.
More than 1,000 parents of pre-school children responded to an online survey about their use and experiences of using registered childcare.
The parents expressed a desire to discuss their child's progress, with 91 per cent saying they regularly consulted with their child's key worker as they became more interested in early years experiences.
Parents also considered it important that staff treat their child as an individual, encouraging creativity and exploration.
Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said, 'Keeping informed of parents' views is crucial in ensuring that we meet parents' and their children's needs as closely as possible.'
He added, 'We have long championed learning through play and parental involvement, which are at the heart of the Alliance and key principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage, so we are particularly pleased to hear that these commitments are top priorities for parents today.'
Children's minister Kevin Brennan said, 'This survey highlights that parents want good-quality childcare. The new early years framework will ensure that all children, irrespective of the type of setting they attend, will get the same excellent standards of learning and care across the country.'