Terms and Conditions of Business

1. DEFINITIONS

The following expressions shall have the following meanings:

  • “Agency” means Joy! Childcare Ltd, registered office: W10 6LN, London, UK.

  • “Client” means any person, family, household, or representative who engages the Agency and requests that the Agency introduce a nanny to provide childcare services.

  • “Candidate” means any nanny introduced to the Client by the Agency.

  • “Services” means the introduction of a Candidate by the Agency to the Client.

  • “Introduction” means the Client’s interview of a Candidate (in person or remotely) and/or the passing of the Candidate’s details by the Agency.

  • “Placement” means an agreement, written or verbal, between a Client and a Candidate that the Client will employ or use the services of the Candidate.

  • “Engagement” means the employment or use of the Candidate by the Client or any third party on a permanent or temporary basis.

  • “Our Fee” means the charge made by the Agency to the Client for the Introduction resulting in a Placement.

  • “Search Fee” means the initial fee payable upon commencement of the nanny search.

2. THE CONTRACT

2.1 These Terms & Conditions apply to and govern all agreements between the Client and the Agency.

2.2 The Client confirms that all information supplied to the Agency is true, complete, and accurate.

3. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS

3.1 The Client acknowledges that the Agency is an introductory service only; the Client employs the Candidate directly.

3.2 The Client agrees to provide full details of job duties, hours, schedule, salary, location, and employment conditions.

3.3 The Client is responsible for providing an employment contract to the Candidate.

3.4 The Client is solely responsible for payment of wages, tax, national insurance, and all employment obligations.

3.5 The Client must notify the Agency immediately upon making an offer of employment and confirm the agreed salary.

3.6 All Candidate information supplied by the Agency is confidential.

3.7 If the Candidate is required to travel or work abroad, this must be agreed in writing with the Candidate.

3.8 For live-in positions, the Client is responsible for insuring the Candidate’s property.

3.9 Client Adherence to Agreed Terms: If the Client materially changes the nanny’s agreed duties, schedule, salary, location, working hours, or conditions after the Placement is accepted, the Agency reserves the right to retain the Placement Fee and the Client may lose eligibility for refunds or replacements.

4. AGENCY OBLIGATIONS

4.1 The Agency will take reasonable steps to introduce Candidates of sound character but cannot guarantee suitability.

4.2 The Agency makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding a Candidate. The final hiring decision rests solely with the Client.

4.3 The Agency does not operate payroll but may refer the Client to third-party providers.

5. FEES

5.1 No VAT is payable.

5.2 No registration fee is charged.

5.3 Search Fee: A £60 Search Fee is payable when the Client initiates a nanny search. This fee is non-refundable but deducted from the final Placement Invoice.

5.4 Placement Fee Structure: The Placement Fee is charged at 12% of the nanny’s annual gross salary.

5.5 The full Placement Fee becomes payable once a Candidate accepts an offer of employment.

5.6 Fees must be paid within 10 days of invoice issuance. If the nanny starts sooner, fees must be fully paid before their first day.

5.7 Late payments incur interest in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, plus a £25 daily administration charge.

5.8 If a Client employs a Candidate introduced by the Agency outside the Agency process, the full Placement Fee is payable.

5.9 Agency Fee Schedule:

  • 5.9.1 UK Placement Fee: 12% of the Candidate’s annual gross salary

  • 5.9.2 Outside of Europe Placement Fee: 20% of the Candidate’s annual gross salary

  • 5.9.3 Temporary nanny (less than 3 months): £25 per day

  • 5.9.4 Travel nanny: £25 per day

  • 5.9.5 Babysitting (one-off): £25 per sitting

  • 5.9.6 Babysitting / ad-hoc help (one-off): £250

    (Includes name and contact details of 2–3 candidates)

6. DISCOUNTS & REFERRALS

6.1 Returning Client Discount: For a second placement, returning clients will be charged a reduced agency fee of 10% of the nanny’s annual gross salary, in place of the standard 12% fee.

6.2 Referral Reward: If a nanny or Client refers Joy! Childcare and the referral results in a successful Placement, the referring party will receive a £150 reward.

7. REFUND & REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE (8 WEEKS)

7.1 Guarantee Period: An 8-week Guarantee Period applies from the nanny’s first working day, provided the Client has complied with all Terms & Conditions.

7.2 Replacement as First Option:

The Agency will provide one free replacement nanny and continue the search for up to 30 days. If no suitable replacement is found within this period, the Client becomes eligible for a refund.

7.3 Refund Option (Sliding Scale):

  • Weeks 1–2: 75%

  • Weeks 2–4: 50%

  • Weeks 4–8: 25%

  • After Week 8: No refund

The Search Fee is non-refundable.

7.4 Conditions for Refund or Replacement:

No refund or replacement applies if:

  • Job conditions change

  • The nanny is mistreated

  • Wages are unpaid or incorrect

  • Invoices remain unpaid

  • Termination is unrelated to nanny performance

  • Written notice is not provided within 48 hours

7.5 Failure to Commence Employment: If the nanny does not start after accepting the offer, the Client receives a full refund of the Placement Fee.

7.6 Limitations: Once a replacement nanny has been placed, no further refunds are available.

8. CANCELLATION FEES

8.1 If the Client withdraws after an offer of Engagement has been accepted (verbally or in writing), the following applies:

8.2 If the start date is 14 days or less from cancellation, the full Agency Fee is payable, plus one week’s salary to the Candidate.

8.3 If the start date is 15 days or more from cancellation, 50% of the full Agency Fee is payable.

8.4 No Agency Fee is payable if the Candidate cancels the Engagement before commencement.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

9.1 The Agency shall not be liable for any losses suffered by the Client except where arising from gross negligence or wilful default.

9.2 The Agency accepts no liability for indirect, special, or consequential loss, including loss of profit.

9.3 The Client confirms it has not relied on any representations not expressly set out in these Terms & Conditions.

9.4 The Agency’s total liability shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client.

10. INDEMNITY

The Client shall indemnify the Agency against all claims, costs, and expenses arising from the Client’s breach of these Terms & Conditions.