I am glad that you live in such a utopia. I drive about 10 km to get my child to daycare. It was the closest that had available room when he was born. There are I think 3 closer ( totally unavailable to me but closer ).
I am nor sure what you consider “walking distance” but I am going to assume there is a greater population density where you live.
Yes, there are areas that are nicely planned for parents.
I have lived in several different towns and know a few more in the area. The town that was 1300 people had plenty of daycare within walking distance (500 m). The town with 150 people had about 1 km to the daycare but we didn't use it, had no kids at the time. The other towns I know: 10k ppl, plenty of daycare within 1 km wherever you live. 500 ppl, two day care at least, all in 500 m. Starting to guess population now but around 500 ppl and I saw at least two daycare when passing through. Surface similar to the other 500 ppl.
Where we live now is planned and built around 1980 and we have five daycare within 1 km. Three of them are less than 200 m away. Many of the younger kids gets walked there by their slightly older siblings that just continue to school after leaving them at daycare. This city have 100 k ppl, we live in the most populated areas of town with mixed single house and bigger appartment buildings with around 10 k ppl.
They all had space for our kid without having to wait or book a place before birth. The state is required to have space for all kids so they keep track of how many births and plan accordingly.
All this in northern Sweden.
I also know a few towns in Germany with similar situations except less bicycle-friendly roads and a lot more population. Didn't have the kid in daycare there though.
I live in a town of 7000 - so the population density is likely far higher here in the UK than where you are. But here there are 3 private day care centres I could walk to, plus a school based one, (for kids from 3yo, that is free).
I am pretty well travelled but I have never been a parent anywhere else. So, I guess I am just ignorant of what is available everywhere else.
I do not think there is anything that is not a private residence within 200 m of me. It is well over a kilometre to the nearest school. It is more than 2 to the closest business. I am having trouble relating to a world that has all these services available a short stroll from my front door.
Oh, and with regards to the poster from the UK with the free daycare, I pay $800 per month for one child ( and have 4 ).
So yes, these places are very much sounding like utopia to me.
I am nor sure what you consider “walking distance” but I am going to assume there is a greater population density where you live.