The state shall encourage the development of a network of school readiness programs pursuant to sections 10-16p to 10-16r , inclusive, 10-16u and 17b-749a in order to:
(1) Provide open access for children to quality programs that promote the health and safety of children and prepare them for formal schooling;
(2) Provide opportunities for parents to choose among affordable and accredited programs;
(3) Encourage coordination and cooperation among programs and prevent the duplication of services;
(4) Recognize the specific service needs and unique resources available to particular municipalities and provide flexibility in the implementation of programs;
(5) Prevent or minimize the potential for developmental delay in children prior to their reaching the age of five;
(6) Enhance federally funded school readiness programs;
(7) Strengthen the family through: (A) Encouragement of family engagement and partnership in a child's development and education; and (B) enhancement of a family's capacity to meet the special needs of the children, including children with disabilities;
(8) Reduce educational costs by decreasing the need for special education services for school age children and to avoid grade repetition;
(9) Assure that children with disabilities are integrated into programs available to children who do not have disabilities;
(10) Improve the availability and quality of school readiness programs and their coordination with the services of child care providers; and
(11) Facilitate the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the children, families and staff in school readiness programs.