Plaid Cymru set out plans yesterday to get parents back into work by extending early years education if it forms the next Welsh government.

It proposed a £300 million extension of Foundation Phase schooling to provide free full-time childcare to three and four-year-olds.

Adding extra hours of free childcare to the existing scheme and extending it to two-year-olds are are also being considered.

Plaid shadow education minister Simon Thomas said: "Investing in good quality early-years education is the best way to improve Wales's economic fortunes.

"Research shows that this could raise Welsh gross domestic product by 4 per cent, which is a huge increase.

"Good childcare is expensive, but this could be the most important step we take to strengthening the economy."

The policy will be launched by leader Leanne Wood and MEP Jill Evans at a Cynon Valley nursery today before the party's spring conference in Cardiff.

Nursey workers' union Unison cautioned that childcare and early-years education should be kept separate.

Head of local government Dominic MacAskill said: "Staff working in early years' services are highly experienced and are an integral part of the educational process.

"It is essential that they are recognised and valued as such, rather than be perceived as a cheap or free form of childcare.

But he added: "If there is evidence to suggest that an increase in early-years education is beneficial to children's education, then Unison would be supportive so long as it is appropriately staffed and funded."