you can, for short periods, increase the number of hours - but you need to prove that you are using care for work and travel, not just claiming for the extra hours the child care charge

so, if you have to drop your kidlet at 7 and pick up at 6 because you work 8-5 and have one hour travel each way, it can be approved for more hours. but if you drop at 8 pick up at 6 (working 9-5) but have to PAY from 7-6 due to the centre being open those hours, it won't be approved. it will only ever be approved short term and you'd need to contact again to confirm you are still requiring the additional hours.

i would suggest, if you need more than 50 hours of care per week, you keep really good records for both self and partner to prove you required it - if they're not kept well, and you are audited, you may end up with an overpayment