Terms & Conditions

Platform User Agreement & Parental Due Diligence Policy
Effective Date: June 12, 2026 | Last Updated: June 12, 2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. ChildCare Connect is a marketplace platform that connects families with independent childcare providers. We do not employ, supervise, or control any provider listed on this platform. By using ChildCare Connect, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for evaluating, selecting, and verifying any childcare provider before entrusting them with the care of your child. Your child's safety is your responsibility.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using the ChildCare Connect website (the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms in their entirety, you must not use the Platform.

These Terms apply to all users of the Platform, including parents, guardians, childcare providers, and any other person who accesses or uses the Platform in any capacity.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We will notify users of material changes via email or notice on the Platform.

2. Description of Service

ChildCare Connect is an online marketplace and information platform that allows:

Families to search for, discover, and connect with childcare providers in their area
Childcare providers to create profiles, list their services, and communicate with prospective families
Users to exchange messages and manage inquiries through the Platform

ChildCare Connect is a technology platform only. We are not a childcare agency, staffing company, employer, or licensing authority. We do not provide childcare services directly, and we do not place children with providers.

3. Platform Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

CRITICAL DISCLAIMER: ChildCare Connect does not employ, endorse, recommend, sponsor, or guarantee any childcare provider listed on this Platform. Provider listings are created and maintained independently by the providers themselves. ChildCare Connect makes no representations or warranties — express or implied — regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, suitability, or safety of any provider profile, credentials, reviews, or other information posted on the Platform.

3.1 No Background Check Guarantee

While ChildCare Connect may in the future offer or display third-party background check badges on certain provider profiles, the presence or absence of such a badge does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of any kind. Background checks are point-in-time snapshots and may not reflect a provider's full history, current status, or future conduct. ChildCare Connect is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any background check result.

3.2 No Verification of Credentials

ChildCare Connect's listing review is a basic administrative screening only. We do not independently verify provider credentials, certifications, licenses, insurance, or any other information submitted by providers. Providers are solely responsible for the accuracy of their profiles. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to independently verify all credentials, licenses, and certifications before engaging any provider, including through the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education public records.

3.3 No Supervision or Control of Providers

Providers listed on ChildCare Connect are independent individuals or businesses. ChildCare Connect exercises no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the actions, omissions, conduct, or care practices of any provider. Any agreement for childcare services is made solely between the family and the provider.

3.4 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ChildCare Connect, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, licensors, and service providers shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to:

The use of or inability to use the Platform
Any childcare services provided by or obtained through a provider listed on the Platform
Any injury, harm, loss, or damage to a child or family member
Any unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal information
Any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in provider profiles or listings
Any conduct or actions of any provider, parent, or third party

In no event shall ChildCare Connect's total liability to any user exceed the greater of (a) the amount paid by the user to ChildCare Connect in the six (6) months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100.00).

4. Parental Due Diligence Requirements

By using ChildCare Connect to find a provider, parents and guardians expressly acknowledge and agree that they bear full and sole responsibility for conducting their own independent due diligence before engaging any provider. This includes, but is not limited to:

4.1 Background & Identity Verification

Conducting your own independent background check through a licensed screening service, regardless of any badge displayed on the Platform
Verifying the provider's identity with a valid, government-issued photo ID
Checking sex offender registries in your state and any state where the provider has lived
Searching court records for criminal history

4.2 Licensing & Credential Verification

Verifying that any daycare center or in-home care facility holds a current, valid license from the appropriate state or local regulatory authority
Confirming CPR and first aid certifications are current and valid
Verifying any educational credentials or professional certifications claimed by the provider
Checking with the relevant licensing body that no complaints or violations are on record

4.3 Reference Checks

Contacting and speaking with a minimum of two (2) professional references provided by the provider
Speaking with other families who have previously used the provider's services
Asking providers detailed questions about their experience, approach, emergency procedures, and discipline philosophy

4.4 In-Person Evaluation

Visiting the childcare facility or home in person before any care begins
Observing how the provider interacts with children
Inspecting the physical environment for safety hazards
Confirming appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios
Reviewing emergency procedures and safety protocols

4.5 Legal & Contractual Protections

Entering into a written childcare agreement directly with the provider that covers rates, schedule, duties, termination, and emergency contacts
Consulting with an attorney if needed regarding your legal rights and protections
Understanding North Carolina's laws regarding licensed vs. license-exempt childcare providers

ACKNOWLEDGMENT: By using this Platform to find childcare, you acknowledge that ChildCare Connect has made no representation about the suitability, safety, or qualifications of any provider, and that you have been expressly advised to conduct your own independent verification before entrusting your child to any provider found on this Platform.

5. Provider Obligations & Representations

By creating a provider listing on ChildCare Connect, you represent, warrant, and agree that:

All information in your profile is accurate, current, and complete
You hold all licenses, certifications, and permits required by applicable law to provide childcare services in your jurisdiction
You will promptly update your profile if any information changes, including changes to your licensing status
You will not misrepresent your qualifications, experience, or credentials
You will conduct yourself professionally and in the best interests of the children in your care
You will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing childcare services
You are solely responsible for the services you provide and any resulting outcomes

ChildCare Connect reserves the right to suspend or remove any provider listing at any time, for any reason, including reports of misconduct, complaints from families, failure to maintain required licenses, or any conduct deemed harmful to children or the Platform community.

6. Prohibited Conduct

All users agree not to:

Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information on the Platform
Misrepresent qualifications, identity, or credentials
Use the Platform to engage in any illegal activity
Harass, threaten, or harm any other user
Attempt to circumvent the Platform by arranging off-platform payments to avoid fees (providers)
Share another user's personal information without consent
Use the Platform to solicit users for services unrelated to childcare
Attempt to manipulate reviews or ratings

7. Privacy Policy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in our Privacy Policy.

8. Payments & Subscriptions

Founding provider listings are currently offered free of charge for the provider's first six (6) months. No payment information is collected for free listings.

When paid provider subscriptions launch, the following terms will apply: subscriptions are billed on a recurring monthly or annual basis via a third-party payment processor. By subscribing, you authorize ChildCare Connect to charge your payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel. Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period. No refunds are issued for partial periods. ChildCare Connect reserves the right to change pricing at any time with 30 days' notice to existing subscribers. All payments will be processed securely; ChildCare Connect does not store payment card information.

9. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall first be submitted to good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), conducted in Wilmington, North Carolina.

You agree that any claim must be brought in your individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any class action proceeding.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ChildCare Connect and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

Your use of the Platform
Your violation of these Terms
Your provision of or reliance on childcare services
Any content you post on the Platform
Any injury or harm to a child in your care

11. Termination & Account Deletion

ChildCare Connect reserves the right to suspend or terminate any user account at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users, the Platform, or third parties, including children.

You may request deletion of your account at any time by emailing us at the address below. Account deletion removes your profile from public view. Certain records may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

12. Contact Information

ChildCare Connect
Email: childcareconnectnc@gmail.com
Website: childcareconnectnc.com
Mailing address available upon written request.

13. User Acknowledgment

By creating an account or using ChildCare Connect, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions, including the Parental Due Diligence Requirements in Section 4. You understand that ChildCare Connect is a marketplace platform and is not responsible for the actions, qualifications, or conduct of any childcare provider listed on the Platform.