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ABC News
ABC News
National
state political reporter Ashleigh Raper

NSW Premier calls for running of childcare system to be handed over to the states

Dominic Perrottet said the way responsibility for education was divided "makes no sense".  (AAP)

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet wants to take over responsibility for child care from the federal government.

In his first speech to the National Press Club as Premier, Dominic Perrottet will suggest a dramatic overhaul of the way the national childcare system is run.

Currently, long daycare is funded by the Commonwealth, while the states fund early childhood education through community preschools.

"The way responsibility for education is currently apportioned between the states and the Commonwealth makes no sense," the Premier will say in his address today.

"It's confusing for parents and it limits the levers we can pull around affordability."

Mr Perrottet wants to give more children access to early education. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

In addition, he believes that allowing the states to run childcare as well as the public school system will improve access to early education.

"Our education systems should make the juggle easier for mums and dads, while also getting the best outcomes for students," the Premier will tell the Press Club.

He will say he wants to start negotiations with the federal government, but acknowledges it will impact the state's budget and that will have to be addressed.

"For example, the Commonwealth could potentially assume full responsibility for something like the NDIS, which continues to face challenges under shared state-federal administration," he will suggest.

The majority of long day childcare centres are run by private operators. (ABC News: Dean Caton)

It is unclear how the model would work in practice, as the majority of long daycare centres are run by private operators.

It is also unclear whether NSW would be able to break away from the national scheme on its own.

The Premier has signalled that education would be a focus of his government.

"But I refuse to believe the solution is to just pump in more money while continuing to do things the way they've always been done."

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