In February it emerged that childcare costs in Scotland were rising well above the rate of inflation and were outpacing rises across the rest of the UK.

The annual study by the Family and Childcare Trust found the cost of an after-school club went up 8.5% in Scotland over the last year.

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In England, increases averaged at 2.1% and in Wales costs fell.

Rates paid by Scottish families are now higher than anywhere in the UK apart from London, the trust said.

According to the survey, 15 hours in an after-school club in Scotland now costs an average of £53.21.

The chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, Julia Margo, said there was growing concern about the "unaffordability" of childcare for Scottish parents.

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says when less advantaged children start primary school their language can be 13 months behind that of their peers. 

Mr Scott says this gap can widen as they go through school and surely that is unacceptable.

The Lib Dem MSP says the council currently struggles to employ staff to pre-school roles in rural areas. 

He says that there needs to be some mechanism in the funding streams to meet the extra hours in childcare and the changes. 

He says his party supports the growth in childcare hours.

Here's Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott's amendment: 

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Mr Johnson calls for more breakfast clubs and he says there is no plan from the SNP to introduce more of them.

The Labour MSP calls for a plan for childcare.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says flexible childcare is critical in helping working parents, particularly mothers, back into work.

Mr Johnson says getting childcare is so important and he welcomes the free hours the government is providing, but there is still much to be done.

He asks how the government is going to achieve the "massive expansion" of childcare provision.

The Labour MSP calls for flexibility in the provision.

Here's Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson's amendment: 

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Ms Smith says the majority of funded childcare places are in three hour slots which forces some families to use private childcare.

The Tory MSP says there are serious pressures within provision which put barriers in the way of flexible acces to childcare.

She says childcare and nursery provision should have more autonomy.

Ms Smith says there must be a genuine choice.

Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith says childcare provision presents the Scottish government with some of its toughest challenges.

Ms Smith welcomes the 500 new health visitor posts but says this should be extended from 5 years old to 7 years old.

The Scottish Conservative MSP says neonatal care must be addressed.

Here's Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Liz Smith's amendment: 

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Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says too much of the childcare provision is only for half a day.

Mr McDonald says local authorities must consult with parents and they must offer flexibility.

He accepts there is more to be done.

The minister announces a consultation on the blueprint on the expansion of childcare.

The minister says the government has fully funded its childcare expansion policy.

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Mr McDonald says the government i committed to doubling free entitlement from 600 to 1140 hours for every 3- and 4-year-old and eligible 2-year-olds

This will contributes to the Scottish government’s ambitions to close the attainment gap.

Millions of pounds given to councils to pay for free childcare has not been spent on funding the programme, according to a government report.

A financial analysis of the Scottish government's flagship childcare policy, externalreveals local authorities were given an extra £329m to fund the scheme.

But they spent or plan to spend just £189m of it on childcare.

Local authority umbrella group Cosla disputed the figures and said the report was a "crude assessment".

A spokesman for the group said it should not detract from the "overriding success story" of councils delivering free childcare.

The disclosure comes on the day of a key debate on childcare in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr McDonald says the expansion to 600 hours has helped families.

The children and early years minister says there early years provision helps women into work.

He says high quality early learning and childcare can help address the attainment gap.

The minister says his ambition is for no child to start education with any attainment gap at all.

Here's Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald's motion: 

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• tackling risks early and building the resilience of children, young people and families will improve the educational, health and employment outcomes of our people.
• to develop high quality, flexible early learning and childcare (ELC) which is affordable and accessible for all
• from August 2014, free entitlement to ELC increased to 600 hours per year, equivalent to around 16 hours per week if delivered during school term time

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• increasing the early learning and childcare entitlement to 1140 hours per year by 2020
• this will continue to cover all 3 and 4 year old children, and eligible 2 year olds
• the expansion to 1140 hours per year will require substantial increases in the workforce and investment in infrastructure as well as new and innovative models of delivery.

Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald leads a debate on the expansion of early learning and childcare provision.

The minister very much welcomes the Scottish Youth Parliament research as part of the Speak Your Mind campaign.

Ms Watt praises the Our Generation's Epidemic, external report as being "fascinating and well written".

The minister says she has listened and taken note of the SYP recommendations and will consider them as part of the updated mental health strategy.

That concludes the debate.