(1) The purposes of the Child Care Licensing Act are to provide:

(a) Statewide licensure standards for persons providing child care programs; and

(b) The department with authority to coordinate the enforcement of standards on licensees.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the licensing and regulation of programs under the act exist for the protection of children and to assist parents in making informed decisions concerning enrollment and care of their children in such programs.