Occasional care - how does it work

I always feel bad that Glenn can only attend the local preschool one day a week. We are rural & its a mobile preschool that sets up at the local community hall Thursdays & Fridays. But its not covered by the childcare rebate thingy & we can't afford for him to go the 2 days (Its only $25 a day, but $50 a week is too much to budget in for us).
I was thinking though, there is an occasional care place thats is run by the council down the mountain. I thought Glenn may enjoy going there on the days I go down to do shopping etc.
He is pretty easy going & I am pretty sure wouldn't fret being left at a new place.
But I have no idea how occasional care centres work.

Does anyone use one?

I have and they are great. The kids really enjoyed their time and so did I ;)
Not sure if it's the same system but the child isn't allowed to do more than 15 hours a week and there is a limited number of permanent spaces which need to be paid for in advance. So theoretically you should be able to ring and get them in anytime but some are very popular and are hard to get into.
Also they are limited to the number of kids under and over 3. The one that I have C on the waiting list for has only provision for 5 under 3's (which are permanently booked out ATM...) and 15 kids in total being looked after by 2 carers.
You also need to provide their nappies, snack and lunch and a drink.

Im pretty sure the one I would like to use is the only on in the the area (are very large area LOL) so maybe I wont get a place....

We have one around the corner from us. I havent used it, but I have enquired once when I had an exam, however they had no vacancies on the day I needed so I didnt end up using them. At this particular one, you could also use no more than 15 hours a week and you had to book in advance. They get really busy and told me I had to book months in advance, and even then they cant guarantee that there will be a place available. They charge $8 per hour regardless of the childs age, but I guess that would vary between different places. From what I understand from a lady I know who uses this place, its pretty much the same kids using it each week which I think is a bit unfair but if thats how they operate then there isnt much I can do about that. I use family day care now for when I need an extra day of care for an exam or an appointment that Claire cant come to.

hmmmwell that wont work for me if thats how this one works. I can't plan what day I will go shopping months in advance LOL.

Just give them a call and se ehow they operate with regards to bookings. Maybe they have some spots that they reserve for people that need it at shorter notice. Or alternatively, you could maybe see if you have a FDC in your area that has spots available at short notice. We have a FDC person nearby who purposely doesnt completely book herself for that exact reason. ALL of the regular child care centres I have called dont have "casual" spots at all.

Yeah I called & got a message bank so left a message.