Terms and Conditions

1. Service Agreement

By engaging the services of Babysitters on the Coast ("the Agency"), clients agree to abide by all Terms & Conditions outlined below.

2. Bookings & Confirmation

2.1 Booking Confirmation: (Bookings require a minimum of 24hrs notice to allow time for staff allocation).

A booking is only confirmed once both of the following have occurred:

1. Babysitters on the Coast sends written confirmation via text or email; and 
2. The client replies to confirm the booking within the required timeframe (see Clause 2.6A). 

Verbal enquiries, social media messages, or tentative/pencilled-in requests do not secure a booking.

2.2 Booking Process

• Payment for services must be made in full on or before the booking date. 
• A booking is not secure until the Agency has issued written confirmation. 
• Where required, a Booking Form must be completed before the session. 
• All booking forms (new or updated) must be submitted at least 48 hours before the booking.
  Failure to complete required forms may result in cancellation and forfeiture of any booking fee.

 2.3 Booking Forms

New clients must complete a full Babysitting Information Form before their first session.
Regular clients only need to complete a new form if:

• Additional children are added, 
• Contact or personal details change, 
• Medical, behavioural or routine information changes, 
• The Agency requests an updated form for safety compliance. 

Bookings will not be held for new clients until required forms and payment (if applicable) are received.

2.4 Booking Fee or Deposit (New & Non-Regular Clients)

A $25 booking fee or deposit (per babysitter, per booking) applies to:

• All new clients
• Any client who does not meet the regular-client criteria

This fee:

• Is included in the total booking price displayed at the time of booking
• Must be paid at the time of booking
• Secures the babysitter for the session
• May be transferred in accordance with Clause 2.4A below

For regular clients, this amount may be applied as a deposit towards the booking rather than charged as a separate booking fee. The final amount payable will be adjusted at the time of sitting, when full payment is made.

Regular clients (see Clause 2.5) may have this fee waived at the Agency's discretion.

2.4A Booking Fee or Deposit Transfers & Rescheduling

A booking fee or deposit may be transferred to a new booking date only if:

• At least 24 hours' notice of cancellation is provided; and
• A new booking date is selected and confirmed at the time of cancellation.

A booking fee or deposit may only be transferred once.

If the rescheduled booking is subsequently cancelled, no further transfer, credit, or refund will be available and the booking fee or deposit will be forfeited.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the booking fee or deposit being forfeited.

Approval of any transfer remains at the Agency's discretion.

2.5 Regular Clients

A regular client is defined as:

• A family who has booked and completed at least one session within the past 2 consecutive months, and
• Books a minimum of 3 hours per session. 

Regular-client status and booking-fee waivers are granted at the Agency’s discretion.
 

2.6 Advanced Bookings for Regular Clients

For pre-booked or recurring dates:

• A confirmation text will be sent one week prior. 
• Clients must confirm within 24 hours. 
• If no reply is received, the booking is automatically released and made available to other families.

2.6A  Booking Confirmation Requirements & Non-Response Policy 

 To maintain fair scheduling: (Note: Bookings require a minimum of 24hrs notice to allow time for staff allocation). 

Regular Clients

• Confirmation text sent: 1 week prior
• Reply required within: 24 hours 
• No reply = booking released automatically

New / Ad-Hoc Clients

• Confirmation message sent: 1 day prior 
• Must reply by the day before 
• No reply = booking released with no responsibility on the Agency 

Important:
“Definite,” rostered, or planned dates still require written confirmation.
Tentative replies or unread messages do not count as confirmation.

Babysitters on the Coast is not responsible for holding unconfirmed bookings under any circumstances.

2.7 Session Timing

• Bookings are charged based on the reserved time. 
• Returning early does not reduce the session fee. 
• Additional time beyond the reserved period is charged and payable on the night.

2.8 Additional Booking Hours

 Clients may add additional hours using the Add-On option when selecting their service. 

 3. Cancellation Policy

Cancellations or changes must be made at least 24 hours prior to the booking start time.

Where at least 24 hours' notice is provided, clients may request to transfer their booking fee or deposit in accordance with Clause 2.4A.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice may result in forfeiture of the booking fee or deposit and, where applicable, the full session fee.

Booking fees or deposits are not refundable.

4. Babysitter Assignments

The Agency will make reasonable efforts to allocate a suitable babysitter based on experience, availability and client needs.
Specific babysitter requests cannot be guaranteed. 

5. Babysitter Conduct

Babysitters must uphold professional standards including:

• Punctuality 
• Reliability 
• Appropriate conduct
• Maintaining a safe, positive environment 

Clients must report concerns to the Proprietor in writing.

6. Child Safety and Security

Babysitters are required to:

• Follow safety protocols 
• Adhere to household rules 
• Maintain appropriate supervision 
• Have access to relevant child information (allergies, medical needs, routines) 

Clients must provide accurate, up-to-date information.

7. Liability

The Agency is not liable for:

• Property damage 
• Accidents 
• Loss 
• Injury 

Clients are responsible for ensuring the environment is safe and suitable.

8. Client & Babysitters Responsibilities

 8.1  

Clients must provide:

• Meals and snacks 
• Sunscreen, hats, water bottles 
• Swimwear/towels (if applicable) 
• Properly fitted car seats 
• Accurate child information 
• A safe, hazard-free environment 

Babysitters are not responsible for supplying food or equipment unless agreed in advance.

8.2 Transportation

Babysitters may only transport children if:

• The vehicle is insured, registered and approved 
• Babysitter holds a valid licence 
• Parents provide and correctly fit legal car seats 

A per-kilometre fee applies.

8.3 Sun Safety

To ensure children are protected during outdoor activities, the following sun-safe requirements apply:

• Clients must provide appropriate sun protection, including sunscreen (SPF suitable for the child), hats, and sun-protective clothing. 
• Clients must supply water bottles to ensure children stay hydrated during outdoor play. 
• Babysitters will apply sunscreen and implement sun-safe practices according to the client’s instructions and the child’s needs. 
• If adequate sun-protection items are not provided, outdoor activities may be limited or avoided for the child’s safety.

8.4 Water Play & Swimming Supervision

For water play (swimming pools, beaches, water parks):

• Clients must inform babysitters of the child’s swimming ability and any safety concerns 
• Clients must provide necessary equipment (swimwear, towels, flotation devices) 
• Babysitters must maintain constant visual supervision and be prepared to intervene at any time 
• Parents should clearly state all water safety rules prior to the session or outing 

The Agency prioritises safety and expects clients to disclose all relevant information to protect the child.

8.5 Cameras & Home Surveillance Policy

To ensure a safe, transparent and respectful environment for both babysitters and children, clients must comply with the following:

• All cameras and surveillance devices must be disclosed to the Agency prior to the commencement of a booking. This includes indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, security systems, baby monitors, doorbell cameras, and any device capable of video or audio recording.
• Cameras must not be located in private areas where a babysitter or child may reasonably expect privacy, including:
  • Bedrooms 
  • Bathrooms 
  • Nappy-changing areas 
  • Any private changing areas 

  ➡ To protect the child’s dignity and comply with Australian privacy and child-safety laws, children must never be recorded while partially undressed or during nappy changes. 

• Hidden or undisclosed cameras are strictly prohibited.
• Audio recording is not permitted, as recording private conversations without consent is unlawful.
• Babysitters reserve the right to decline or discontinue a session if undisclosed cameras are present or if surveillance is used in a way that breaches privacy or creates discomfort.
• If a session is discontinued for privacy or surveillance concerns, no refund will be issued for the booking.

 9. Confidentiality

 The "Agency" respects the privacy of all families. Babysitters are required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding any personal, sensitive, or private information obtained during their duties. Information will not be shared with third parties except where required by law. 

10. Feedback and Complaints: The "Agency" welcomes feedback from clients regarding our services. Any complaints or concerns should be addressed promptly to the Proprietor at info@babysittersonthecoast.com.au

10.1. Testimonials & Reviews

Babysitters on the Coast may request client feedback or display publicly available reviews (such as Google Reviews). Testimonials provided directly to the Agency will only be published with the client’s consent. No identifying child information will be shared.

11. Payment & Outstanding Balances

• Full payment required before or at booking start time.
• Overtime and travel fees must be paid on the night unless arranged.
• Cards stored on the system may be charged for
  • Overtime 
  • Travel fees 
  • Outstanding balances 
  • Late payments 

If payments fail, the Agency may:

• Cancel upcoming bookings
• Decline future services
• Recover outstanding fees 

Clients will be notified if a stored card is charged.

12.  Safety, Environment & Behaviour Policy

Babysitters on the Coast is committed to providing safe, appropriate care at all times.
For this reason:

Babysitters may refuse or discontinue a session if:

• The environment is unsafe or unsanitary 
• A child’s behaviour poses a safety risk 
• Unknown adults enter the home 
• A parent/guardian appears intoxicated 

No refunds apply when a session is discontinued for safety reasons.

13. Illness & Health Policy

To protect all children and babysitters:

• Children who are unwell, contagious, feverish, vomiting, or displaying symptoms of illness may not be cared for by our babysitters. If a child becomes ill the babysitter is to contact the parent to immediately return.
• Babysitters on the Coast reserves the right to cancel or refuse a booking if a child is sick at the commencement of or during a session.
• Parents must disclose any medical conditions, recent illnesses, medications, or health concerns prior to the booking. 
• Babysitters may contact emergency services if the child’s health declines and the parent/guardian cannot be reached.
   

No refunds will be issued for bookings cancelled due to illness if adequate notice is not provided.