Terms of Service
Last updated: 1 April 2026
1. Introduction
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the SitHappy platform, including the website at sithappy.co and any associated mobile applications (together, the "Platform"). The Platform is operated by SitHappy S.L., a company registered in Spain.
By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform. We recommend reading these Terms alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle your personal data.
2. What SitHappy Is
SitHappy is a technology platform that connects families ("Parents") with independent childcare providers ("Sitters") in Ibiza, Formentera, and other territories where SitHappy operates. The Platform enables Parents to browse Sitter profiles, check availability, and book childcare sessions.
SitHappy is not a childcare agency. SitHappy does not employ, assign, manage, or supervise Sitters. Sitters are independent childcare providers who use the Platform to offer their services directly to families. SitHappy's role is limited to providing the technology, facilitating the booking process, processing payments, and providing a trust and verification framework.
3. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to create a SitHappy account, whether as a Parent or a Sitter. By creating an account, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age.
Sitters must additionally hold valid First Aid and CPR certifications, provide a recent criminal background check (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales), and submit a government-issued photo ID for identity verification. These documents are reviewed and verified by the SitHappy team before a Sitter's profile is made visible on the Platform.
You are responsible for ensuring that the information in your profile is accurate, complete, and up to date. Providing false or misleading information is grounds for immediate account suspension.
4. Account Responsibilities
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. You must not share your password or allow anyone else to access your account. You agree to notify us immediately at support@sithappy.co if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, receive repeated complaints from other users, provide fraudulent information, or are involved in behaviour that compromises the safety of children or other users. Account suspension decisions may be appealed by contacting support@sithappy.co.
5. Bookings and Payments
A booking is created when a Parent submits a booking request through the Platform. The Sitter then has a window to accept or decline the request. A booking is confirmed only when the Sitter accepts. Until acceptance, no obligation exists on either side.
Sitters set their own hourly rates. SitHappy does not determine, recommend, or control the rates charged by Sitters. The Platform displays an average rate for your area as a reference point, but each Sitter is free to set any rate they choose.
SitHappy charges a service fee on each booking, which is added to the Sitter's hourly rate and paid by the Parent. The service fee covers platform operation, payment processing, verification services, and customer support. The total cost, including the service fee, is displayed clearly before you confirm a booking.
Payments are processed securely through Stripe. The Parent is charged when the booking is confirmed. Sitter payouts are processed after the session is completed. SitHappy does not store credit card details on its servers. [REVIEW: JJ/Sophie to confirm payout timing - immediate after session, or weekly batch?]
6. Cancellation and Refund Policy
The following cancellation terms apply to confirmed bookings. All times are measured from the scheduled start time of the booking.
Parent Cancellations
Cancellation more than 48 hours before the booking: no charge, full refund. Cancellation between 24 and 48 hours before the booking: 50% of the estimated total is charged. Same-day cancellation (less than 24 hours before): no refund. [REVIEW: JJ/Sophie to confirm these thresholds are final.]
Sitter No-Show
If a Sitter fails to arrive for a confirmed booking without prior cancellation, the Parent receives a full refund. Repeated no-shows may result in the Sitter's account being suspended.
Disputed Bookings
If there is a dispute about a booking (for example, if a session ended early or there was a disagreement about the service provided), payment is held by SitHappy while the dispute is investigated. Both parties are asked to provide their account of what happened. SitHappy's operations team reviews the information and makes a resolution decision. [REVIEW: JJ/Sophie to confirm dispute resolution timeframe - e.g. within 7 business days?]
7. Overtime
If a childcare session runs more than 10 minutes past the agreed end time, the Parent is charged for overtime in half-hour increments at the Sitter's hourly rate. For example, a session ending 25 minutes late incurs one half-hour overtime charge. The Sitter records the actual end time when confirming the session is complete, and the overtime charge is calculated automatically.
8. Sitter Independence
Sitters using the SitHappy platform are independent childcare providers, not employees, contractors, or agents of SitHappy. Sitters control their own working hours, decide which bookings to accept or decline, set their own hourly rates, and provide childcare services in their own professional capacity.
SitHappy does not set, recommend, or mandate Sitter rates. The Platform may display average rates for your area as a general reference, but this is informational only and does not constitute a recommendation or price-fixing arrangement.
Sitters are solely responsible for their own tax declarations, social security contributions (where applicable), and compliance with any local regulatory requirements relating to their childcare services. SitHappy does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice.
9. Verification and Trust
SitHappy verifies Sitter identity documents, criminal background checks, and First Aid/CPR certifications before a Sitter's profile is made visible on the Platform. Verification badges are displayed on Sitter profiles to indicate which checks have been completed.
Parents must verify a working email address, a mobile phone number, and a valid payment method before their first booking. This is to protect Sitters and ensure accountability on both sides of the platform.
While SitHappy takes reasonable steps to verify the credentials of Sitters and the contact and payment details of Parents, SitHappy does not guarantee the accuracy of information provided by users, the quality of childcare services, or the conduct of any user. Parents and Sitters engage each other at their own discretion. Sitters are encouraged to hold their own professional liability insurance where appropriate.
10. User Conduct
All users agree to: treat other users, including children, with respect and dignity; communicate through the Platform's messaging system for booking-related matters; provide honest and accurate information in profiles, reviews, and communications; not attempt to circumvent the Platform to avoid service fees; not share other users' personal information outside the Platform; and report any safeguarding concerns immediately to SitHappy and, where appropriate, to the relevant authorities.
11. Limitation of Liability
SitHappy provides the Platform on an "as is" basis. To the maximum extent permitted by Spanish and EU law, SitHappy is not liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from: the conduct of any Parent or Sitter; the quality of childcare services provided; cancellations, no-shows, or scheduling disputes; or any interaction between users that takes place outside the Platform.
Sitters are independent providers and are responsible for their own professional conduct. SitHappy strongly recommends that Sitters hold appropriate professional liability insurance. SitHappy does not provide insurance coverage for Sitters or Parents. [REVIEW: JJ/Sophie to confirm whether SitHappy will require or merely recommend Sitter insurance at launch.]
In any event, SitHappy's total liability to any user for any claim arising from or related to the use of the Platform shall not exceed the total service fees paid by that user to SitHappy in the 12 months preceding the claim.
12. Intellectual Property
The SitHappy name, logo, brand identity, website design, and all associated content are the property of SitHappy S.L. or its licensors. Users may not copy, reproduce, or redistribute any part of the Platform without prior written consent. User-generated content (such as reviews and messages) remains the property of the user who created it, but by posting it on the Platform, you grant SitHappy a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display and use that content in connection with the Platform's operation.
13. Dispute Resolution
If you have a complaint or dispute relating to a booking, please contact us at support@sithappy.co or through the in-app dispute feature. We will investigate and aim to resolve the matter fairly.
If a dispute cannot be resolved through our internal process, either party may refer the matter to mediation. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the matter may be referred to the courts of competent jurisdiction. [REVIEW: JJ/Sophie to confirm whether to use formal arbitration or standard court proceedings.]
Any legal proceedings shall be subject to the courts of Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain, unless mandatory consumer protection law provides otherwise.
14. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you via email or an in-app notification at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after the updated Terms take effect constitutes acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you should stop using the Platform and close your account.
15. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Spain, including the Ley de Servicios de la Sociedad de la Informacion (LSSI), the Ley General para la Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios, and applicable EU regulations. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under Spanish or EU law.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, contact SitHappy at support@sithappy.co. For data protection enquiries, contact privacy@sithappy.co.