Childcare questions

[PumpkinZulu]

So this is probably a pretty daft thread, but I literally have no idea about how childcare works. I've been thinking about studying from home part-time, or maybe even on-campus mid this year (still working out what the deal will be for DD2 in terms of childcare (on campus) and BF etc), so getting DD1 into some form of child care 2 days a week. So, what's the deal? I'd assume there would be waiting lists everywhere and that priority would go to working then studying parents before SAHM's thinking about study lol. Is it as simple as just calling places and asking if DD1 can be placed on waiting lists? What's the difference between privately run places and council run places? What's the go with childcare rebate and benefit? Sorry if these are all really commonsensical questions

ETA oh and FDC, what's the deal there?