When Mr Leonard says Ms Sturgeon's answer was an "avalanche of statistics" there is a vocal outcry from the SNP benches.

The Scottish Labour leader carries on to highlight the lack of capital funding in nursery provision in Scotland.

He says the delivery of this policy is not fit for purpose.

Ms Sturgeon apologises to Mr Leonard for providing too many facts but warns she will do the same again.

The first minister says flexibility will increase by increasing the hours of provision from 600 hours to 1,140.

Image source, Scottish government

A new campaign was launched in October with the aim of recruiting 11,000 people into childcare in Scotland.

The recruitment drive aims to encourage more school leavers into the profession to support government plans to expand early learning and childcare.

Ministers aim to expand funded childcare to 1,140 hours per year, or 30 hours per week, by 2020.

Launching the drive, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a career in the profession was "hugely rewarding".

Read more.

Mr Leonard says Audit Scotland says the Scottish government has not led a national approach to expand the hours available for child care.

The Scottish Labour leader says Audit Scotland reports the government has not done enough to find more nursery workers.

Ms Sturgeon says Labour said the SNP would not deliver 600 hours of childcare which it did.

The first minister says there is a national nursery worker recruitment campaign and an increase in capacity in college.

She says Skills Development Scotland is increasing the number of apprenticeships in early years work.

Image source, Getty Images

The public spending watchdog has questioned plans to fund increased nursery provision in Scotland.

Audit Scotland said in a report there was a "significant risk" councils would not be able to resource a planned expansion.

The Scottish government has promised to almost double the annual hours in paid-for nursery places to 1,140.

In response to the report, the government repeated its pledge to fully fund the policy.

Ministers plan to meet the new target for nursery provision by August 2020.

Read more here.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says the first minister's poverty adviser has stressed the importance of early learning and childcare.

Mr Leonard highlights the recent Audit Scotland report, which states that its childcare plans face "significant challenges".

He asks the first minister to answer that "damning criticism".

The first minister says Audit Scotland says the Scottish government and councils have worked well together to expand childcare provision.

She says her government's plans on early learning and childcare are the "most ambitious" ever.

Image source, PA

In June 2015, MSPs passed legislation to end automatic early release for prisoners jailed for more than four years.

Offenders were previously automatically released after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

The legislation allows parole boards to recommend that those serving long-term sentences spend their full term in custody.

The bill was passed by 67 votes to none, with 46 abstentions.

Ms Davidson says: "I don't think it is unreasonable for the public to expect prisoners to serve their time."

She adds that home leave for convicted murderers should be reviewed.

The first minister says these issues are not that simple.

She adds that the Scottish government restricted automatic early release of prisoners.

Ms Sturgeon says the reintegration of released prisoners into society is crucial.

She says a system of home leave is really important as part of the criminal justice system.

"These are not simple issues, these are really complex issues."

The Scottish Conservative leader says that last year there were more than 4,000 cases where, like McIntosh, prisoners were granted such leave.

The first minister again says lessons must be learned from the McIntosh case.

Ms Sturgeon reiterates that home leave has been an important part of rehabilitation.

Ms Davidson says this case merits being raised, adding that McIntosh was out for just five days before he tried to murder again.

The victim's family say the criteria for assessment and release on home leave must be reviewed, Ms Davidson highlights.

The first minister agrees and says any lessons from this case must be applied to future cases.

She says she sympathises with the views of the family.

Ms Sturgeon says home leave has been part of the rehabilitation process for some time but individuals being given it must face rigorous risk assessments.

A convicted murderer on home leave who tried to kill a Dundee dog walker has been given a lifelong restriction order.

Robbie McIntosh, 32, battered Linda McDonald with a dumbbell in Templeton Woods in August.

McIntosh was previously jailed for life in 2002 for stabbing a dog walker to death on Dundee Law when he was 15 years old.

He must serve a minimum of five years before he can be considered for parole.

However, McIntosh will only be considered for release when he is no longer deemed to be a risk to the public, meaning he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Read more here.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says killer Robbie McIntosh has been sentenced for the attempted murder of Linda Robertson, while he was on home leave

Ms Davidson says this raises appalling questions about the justice system and prisoners on home leave.

The first minister says this case is "extremely distressing" and adds that her thoughts are with the family of the victim.

Robbie Macintosh has been given a lifelong restriction order.

Image source, PA/Scottish Parliament

We will now bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions.

Image source, Getty Images

Scottish school pupils now have the most rights in Europe when it comes to asking for additional help, according to the Scottish government.

Legislation has come into force allowing children the right to influence decisions about gaining additional support with their studies.

Pupils can now approach their school or local council about extra help.

They will also be given "a stronger voice" and be part of the process in setting up any future tuition plans.

Education Secretary John Swinney said it meant Scottish pupils now have have a bigger say in their own education.

Provisions in the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 mean that from 10 January, youngsters aged between 12 and 15 who require additional support in their education will be able to influence decisions about this.

Read more.

Tory MSP Annie Wells wonders what is being done to improve support for pupils with additional support needs.

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says stakeholders, including the UK government, have been engaged with.

She urges both sides to engage constructively to resolve the issue.

John Finnie queries whether she has approached Universities UK, though he accepts the Scottish government does not have a direct role to play.

Ms Somerville says the Scottish government is monitoring the situation an confirms she has met with union officials.

Image source, bbc

Lecturers at universities across Scotland are taking part in a strike in a row over pensions.

The University and College Union (UCU) said members at nine Scottish universities were walking-out along with staff from the Open University.

The strike is part of UK-wide action, which the union said would see 14 days of escalating strikes over four weeks.

Employers, Universities UK called the action "disappointing" and said the pension scheme had a deficit of £6bn.

The UCU warned that 145,000 university students attending courses at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, St Andrews, Stirling, Strathclyde and the Scottish Association for Marine Science at the University of the Highlands and Islands would be affected by the walk-out.

• University strikes: What's it all about?
• Uni strikes 'much more likely' as talks deadlocked
• University finances face £17.5bn pensions squeeze

Green MSP John Finnie asks about discussions with the UK government regarding safeguarding the value of Scottish university staff pensions.

Image source, bbc

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says it is not yet clear exactly what the UK government will commit to the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks about ensuring Clackmannanshire specifically benefits.

Additional support has been provided to Clacks councils, confirms Mr Brown.