Humza Yousaf would pursue a massive rollout of free childcare if he wins the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.
The Health Secretary told the Record universal early learning for one and two year olds would be in his first Budget.
He will also announce a £25m a year childcare fund for parents returning to work at a campaign event today.
All three and four year olds are currently entitled to 1140 hours a year under a flagship Scottish Government policy.
It is worth around 30 hours a week if taken during term time.
But provision is less generous before these ages, with free childcare for two year olds means tested.
Yousaf, who is up against Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and back bencher Ash Regan in the race to succeed Sturgeon as SNP leader, wants to expand existing childcare policy.
He will promise to roll out free early learning for all one and two year olds for up to 22 hours a week.
The free hours would be all year round in a move he believes will help parents return to work, support children and boost the economy.
It is understood the Yousaf campaign believes the cost of phasing in the policy for 2 year olds first would be around £100m for 2024/25.
Separately, a £25m a year ‘Helping Hand Fund’ would offer parents a £500 loan towards the first months of childcare costs to be paid back when a child leaves childcare.
The fund would be available for all children under three years who are not yet eligible for 1,140 hours.
He said: “Young families in Scotland are being hit hard by the Cost of Living Crisis.
“As a parent myself, I know how hard it is for many parents going back to work while juggling the commitments of childcare and employment.
““For those on low incomes in particular the upfront costs of childcare, transport and higher household bills are serious financial barriers stopping many parents getting back to work - particularly in those first few months after returning to work when households budgets are stretched.
“As First Minister, my Helping Hand Fund would help working families by easing that burden, offering £500 loans towards the first stages of childcare to help all parents in Scotland returning from leave back into employment.
“A win-win for Scotland - cutting household costs, helping families get back into work and boosting our economy
“We know that expanding childcare has saved families thousands of pounds every year.
“So, if elected as First Minister I’ll go even further. In my first budget as Scotland’s First Minister I will accelerate the roll out of free early years education for one and two year olds in Scotland. Offering high quality childcare for 22 hours a week, all year round - for all children.
“I want Scotland to be the best country in the world to grow up. My announcement today goes some of the way to ensuring we give our youngest Scots the very best start in life.”
Meanwhile, Yousaf has said there should not be a Holyrood election after the new first minister is appointed.
His party were among the voices calling for a general election last year during the political turmoil involving three different people serving as prime minister.
But asked if the new first minister should put themselves to the people, Yousaf said it was not necessary because MSPs must fill the post.
The Health Secretary also said he did not support calls for SNP chief executive, and Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell to step aside, while also rejecting claims he was the continuity candidate in the race.
Asked about putting his leadership to the people of Scotland, if he were to be elected, said: “The difference, of course, is there would be a vote in the Holyrood chamber for whoever the candidate is for the next first minister.
“The opposition will put their candidate forward, we’ll put our candidate forward and we’ll see who ends up getting selected as first minister. So I don’t think there’s a need for another Holyrood election beyond the current timetable.”
Regan has been a frequent critic of the SNP hierarchy in recent months and said having a party leader who is married to the chief executive is “inappropriate” and represents a “conflict of interest” for Murrell.
Asked if he shared that view, Yousaf said he believes there needs to be “internal party reform”, but that he did not believe the chief executive should stand aside.
“I’m a big believer in internal party reform at headquarters, but I don’t like to make these things personal,” he said.
“I don’t know why somebody would demand getting rid of somebody who’s been the chief executive of the party, who’s won countless elections in the last few years.”
He added: “I find it an unusual argument that people call me a continuity candidate, because if it means continuing Nicola Sturgeon’s record of election wins, if it means continuing on her legacy of increasing support for independence at higher levels than we’ve ever seen before, if it means continuing a socially progressive agenda, then I don’t think these are bad things to continue.”
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Humza Yousaf broke his promises as Transport Secretary, he broke his promises as Justice Secretary and he broke his promises as Health Secretary – there is no reason to believe he will keep his promises as First Minister.
“Mr Yousaf is imposing a pay deal on hardworking nurses while re-heating old policies to win control of Bute House.
“Mr Yousaf has no new ideas and is just pedalling re-heated and broken promises. Scotland deserves better.”
Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats have consistently called for the government to extend funded early education and childcare hours to one-year-olds, so it’s heartening to hear our proposals being taken forward.
“As we see in countries like Sweden, well-supported childcare can help young people reach their full potential and bolster economic participation.
“In recent times, the Scottish Government has failed to expand childcare hours, while providers have raised serious concerns about staff shortages. If Humza Yousaf is serious about these promises, he cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of his government.”
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