WELCOME TO SITTERS

For the purpose of these terms and conditions, we define users as either 'Parents' or 'Childcarers'. A 'Parent' is an individual who utilises our platform to place bookings and seek childcare solutions. The term 'Childcarer' or ‘Sitter’ refers to those who accept bookings to provide care and support at the direction of “Parents”. The term 'Users' encompasses both parties when mentioned within these terms and conditions. These definitions apply to those who use the Sitters’ website (www.sitters.co.uk) and mobile application platform, referred to together as the ‘App’.

 

ABOUT US

Sitters.co.uk (“Sitters”, “We”, “Us” or “Our”) is the childcare introduction agency operating the ‘App’ to connect users who are either ‘Parents’ or ‘Childcarers.’ “Sitters” is a trading division of 288 Group Ltd of 288 House, 1 Aston Way, Poole, BH12 4FE. While Sitters introduces and books vetted childcare professionals, it does not employ them. We aim to connect Parents with carefully selected Childcarers, all of whom have demonstrated previous childcare experience.

We may occasionally adjust these Terms and Conditions. Any change will be advised and denoted by an updated "Revision" date, notified through the app and website and become effective once accessible.

It is your responsibility to remain informed about these terms and conditions so please take a moment to review them at your convenience. Your continued use of the service indicates your acceptance of Sitters current terms.

 

WHAT WE DO - FOR PARENTS

Childcarer Verification and Selection Process:

Sitters' Childcarer selection process involves a thorough evaluation, starting with a comprehensive online application submitted by the Childcarer, along with identity checks and the verification of at least two suitable references. Where possible we seek confirmation of satisfactory performance in previous childcare employment.

The Sitters Recruitment Team interviews the Childcarer, thoroughly reviews and signs off on their application and reference notes before a Childcarer is accepted onto the Sitters platform.

Guarantee and Experience:

Sitters, in good faith, endeavours to provide reliable childcare professionals. Parents acknowledge that while thorough reference checking is undertaken, past performance cannot guarantee the future performance of individual Childcarers.

We cannot be held responsible for any lapses in care by a Childcarer with satisfactory references, except in cases where due diligence was not exercised in the reference-checking process or if Sitters overlooked pertinent information about the childcarer’s past performance.

All Childcarers on Sitters' platform have significant experience in childcare. It may not always be possible for Sitters to contact every previous employer served by each Childcarer throughout what may have been an extensive career.

Booking Fulfilment:

Sitters will make every effort to fulfil a booking with a minimum of two hours' notice.

Where possible, we prioritise offering your bookings to your favourite Childcarers first. However, it is important to recognise that Childcarers on our platform are independent, and we cannot require any specific individual to work for a particular Parent, or at any specific time.

Please be aware that your favourite Childcarers may occasionally be unavailable for reasons such as illness, holidays, or pausing their services with Sitters.

Let Me Choose:

Bookings made with more than 24 hours’ notice allow you to utilise the 'Let me choose' option.

We will always offer your booking requests to your Top 3 Favourites, in order, first, before we contact your other favourites. If they are unavailable, your booking request will be offered to other approved Childcarers based on a range of criteria including their suitability to work with families such as yours.

You will be notified through the App when a Childcarer applies for your booking request. Depending on the number of Sitters Childcarers in your area, or their willingness to travel to your location, you may receive more than one application. In more remote areas you may only receive one applicant. When you are ready, use the App to confirm your acceptance of your chosen Sitter from the applications you receive.

Parents should be aware that until they have confirmed acceptance of a Childcarer applicant for their booking, any Childcarer may be offered other bookings and may withdraw their application from the Parent’s booking. We recommend you confirm your acceptance promptly to avoid losing a suitable Childcarer to another booking.

The ‘Let me choose’ option operates until 24 hours before your booking is due to start. Once less than 24 hours remains before your booking start time, if you have not selected a Childcarer from those who have applied, Sitters will select and confirm the most suitable Childcarer from the applicants for your booking.

If a Childcarer Cancels a Booking:

Occasionally a Childcarer may need to cancel a booking for reasons beyond their control. If a booked Childcarer cancels a booking at short notice or fails to arrive at the appointed time due to circumstances beyond our control, Sitters will make every effort to find another Childcarer for the Parent.

If it is not possible to refill the booking, no fee will be charged, and we may offer a refund of a portion of the Parents' membership or an extension of the membership.

 

WHAT WE CAN'T DO - FOR PARENTS

Sitters is not accountable for any loss experienced due to a Childcarer’s failure to keep the appointment, except in cases where Sitters has not exercised reasonable care in confirming the appointment details with the Childcarer.

Sitters cannot be held responsible for a Childcarer’s actions, inactions or oversights, except when these could reasonably have been identified through Sitters' selection procedure or other information subsequently received.

 

SITTERS FEES

Membership Subscription:

Sitters’ membership subscription of £17.99 allows Parents to book Childcarers, who provide childcare services, through the Sitters' App, for a period of three months, commencing on the date the first booking request was made.

Membership Cancellation & Renewal:

There is no minimum membership commitment beyond three months, on expiry membership renews automatically unless cancelled by the Parent. Sitters offers Parents the flexibility to cancel through the App at any time provided there are no bookings pending or in process, no notice is required. Cancellation confirmation is delivered via email and takes effect upon receipt.

Service Charge:

Parents are quoted an hourly rate that includes Sitters service charge, there is nothing more to pay than the hourly rate quoted.

If a Parent Cancels a Bookings:

When a Childcarer has been selected and confirmed into your booking, Sitters will send a booking confirmation through the App and by email. If a Parent cancels a booking after a Childcarer has been confirmed into the booking, a cancellation fee of £5 is payable to Sitters.

When a Parent cancels a booking less than 12 hours before the start time, Sitters recommends that the parent pay the Sitter a “Goodwill payment” equivalent to 1 – 2 hours at their hourly rate. This is a simple matter of courtesy, as the Childcarer has committed their time and is unlikely to be offered an alternative booking at short notice.

Booking Amendments:

Booking amendments for start and finish times can be made without incurring any additional costs.

In the event your selected Childcarer cannot accommodate the change, then Sitters will reoffer you’re booking to Childcarers in your area, starting with your ‘Top 3’ and ‘Favourites’ first. We will let you know as soon as we have found an available Childcarer for your family.

Notice of Fee Changes:

Sitters will provide at least 90 days' notice if there are any changes to Sitters charges unless it is a change related to VAT. Childcarers are free agents and able to change their hourly rates at any time before, but not after, they are confirmed into a booking.

 

PAYMENT

Paying your sitter:

All payments to Sitters childcarers must be made through the App. At the end of each booking Parents agree to use Sitters App, to pay for the childcare hours delivered, within 60 minutes of the end of the booking. Childcarers booked through Sitters App have agreed to only accept payment through the App.

Once authorised through the App, Sitters will collect all fees and any tips or extras using the payment card associated with the Parent’s account, through our payment partner, Stripe. Payments may not be made by any other method.

Payment default:

If payment for childcare delivered is not made through the App within 60 minutes of the end of the booking the Parent account will be in default. To ensure Childcarers are paid promptly for the hours they have worked Sitters will automatically collect payment for childcare delivered on any account in default, within 24 hours of the end of the booking. Payment will be processed through Stripe using the payment card chosen by the Parent during the account registration process or the most recently updated card.

 

PARENT MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

Agreement Terms:

By paying the membership fee, Parents agree to arrange and pay for all bookings with Sitters Childcarers exclusively through Sitters App. In accepting any bookings from Sitters Parents, Childcarers agree to make all arrangements with and accept payment from, Sitters parents exclusively through Sitters App.

Private arrangements and/or payments outside the App are not permitted without prior written agreement from Sitters. Breach of this agreement will result in forfeiture of membership and both the Childcarer and the Parent being denied access to Sitters App for any further bookings for childcare services or childcare employment.

Communication Compliance:

By engaging with our services, you acknowledge and agree to ensure that any additional notes or communication provided for Childcarers’ consideration in bookings maintain a respectful tone and refrain from using discriminatory language. All communication should be appropriate and inclusive. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the termination of a Parent account.

Additional Children at a Booking:

If you choose to use Sitters App to book childcare for children other than your own, whether at home, in a hotel or other environment, it is important that you and the other children’s parents understand the scope of Sitters' responsibilities. Please be aware that the Childcarer is always under the direct instruction of the person making the booking.

It is the responsibility of the Parent who places the booking to ensure the parents of all the children being cared for understand that the Childcarer is acting under your direct instruction. It is your responsibility to relay all pertinent information which may impact the wellbeing of any child, to the Childcarer.

The Parent making the booking must conduct any necessary checks to ensure the safety and welfare of all children involved in a booking placed, particularly in settings such as hotels or weddings where additional supervision may be required.

Please note that Sitters cannot be held responsible for any failure to communicate such information; that responsibility lies with the Parent making the booking.

Agreement Compliance:

If you do not fully agree with all these Terms and Conditions, we request that you refrain from using the App, Site and Services and discontinue use immediately.

You confirm that: 

• The information you provide is current and accurate. 
• No one in your household has a criminal record. 

• Treat all Childcarers with courtesy and in accordance with UK laws, ensuring a safe environment for them. 
• Provide Childcarers with all necessary information and cooperation to facilitate the services you require and have requested. 
• Ensure the Childcarer has the relevant insurance if you arrange for them to drive a child in a vehicle. 

Membership Management: