Within its manifesto, launched today by SNP leader leader Nicola Sturgeon, the party says it would support an increase of free childcare hours from 15 to 30 hours a week for three and four-year-olds, along with disadvantaged two-year-olds, by 2020 in England and Scotland.
It is one of a number of measures the party supports in order to reduce child poverty.
The SNP would 'vigorously' oppose plans for further cuts in child benefit and tax credits, and vote for increases to benefits at least in line with CPI inflation. It would also scrap the roll-out of universal credit. This would ensure the income of the poorest in society do not fall even further behind the the cost of living, it says.
The party would back an increase in the minimum wage rate for 18 to 21-year-olds to £6.85 per hour, which it believes should be paid to apprentices, and a rise of £5.07 to the rate for under 18s.
With enough SNP MPs in the House of Commons, the political party says it can end the 'current austerity agenda'.
It goes on to say, 'The SNP goes into this election, with a clear message - none of us can afford more austerity. Our NHS, our economy and our children can't afford the billions of pounds of additional cuts that Tories, Labour and Liberals have signed up to.'
Wales
Last month, Plaid Cymru, also launched its manifesto.
Under proposals, the political party would provide an extra year of early years education in Wales to allow parents to chose to work.
It would also aim to provide more flexible, affordable childcare, particularly in deprived areas and for children with disabilities, with children having the opportunity to learn the Welsh language.
Childcare qualifications and facilities would be improved, with more settings run as social enterprises and co-operatives.
The party would provide additional 'schooling' for three- and four-year-olds, led by qualified educational staff.
Smacking would also be banned by removing the reasonable punishment defence to give children equal protection under the law.
