Terms & Conditions - the basics

By submitting a booking request or using our services, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming your booking.

1. Definitions

• “Adventure Sitters” / “we” / “our” / “the agency”: the childcare and babysitting service operating in the Vail Valley.

• “Family” / “Client” / “you”: the person or people booking and paying for the service.

• “Care specialist”: the sitter or childcare professional assigned by Adventure Sitters to your booking.

• “Service” / “Booking”: any childcare, babysitting, event childcare, kids program, or related support provided by Adventure Sitters.

2. Scope of Services

Adventure Sitters provides childcare and babysitting services for families in the Vail Valley, including:

• In-home, vacation stay, and hotel-room childcare

• Full-time or regular support for local families

• Event childcare and customized kids programs for private groups, hotels, and events

Our services are focused on the care and supervision of children, including play, basic routines, simple snacks or meals for the children, and general tidying related to their activities.

We do not provide medical, nursing, or therapeutic services.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Booking Request

All bookings must start with a Book Now form or written request with:

• Date(s) and time(s)

• Location

• Number and ages of children

• Any relevant notes (allergies, needs, etc.)

3.2 Availability & Confirmation Email

Submitting the form is a request, not a confirmed reservation.

We review your request and, if we have availability, we send a confirmation email with:

• Booking summary (date, time, location, number of children)

• Applicable hourly rate(s) and estimated total

• A secure payment link

• A notice regarding card-on-file and hold authorization

3.3 Confirmed Booking

A booking is considered fully confirmed only when:

• The payment link has been completed, and

• You have agreed to our card-on-file / hold authorization.

If payment and authorization are not completed within the timeframe indicated in the email, Adventure Sitters may release the booking.

4. Rates & Billing

4.1 Standard Rates

Unless otherwise stated in your confirmation:

• Standard hourly rate: USD $40 per hour for the first child

• Additional children: +$2 per hour per child

• Minimum booking: 4 hours per service

4.2 Holiday & Peak Rates

On designated holidays and peak periods, the hourly rate is 2× the standard rate.

Applicable holiday/peak dates and rates will be clearly indicated in your quote and confirmation email before you approve payment.

4.3 Child-to-Specialist Ratio

To maintain safety and quality of care:

• One care specialist may look after up to 3 children.

• For 4 or more children, a second care specialist is required.

• For larger groups or special circumstances, we will review ages and needs and confirm the appropriate staffing and pricing.

4.4 Extra Hours & Adjustments

If the booking extends beyond the original schedule, or the number of children changes, the final amount will be adjusted according to your current rate and billed to the card on file after your approval.

5. Payments & Card-on-File

5.1 Payment Method

All payments are processed directly by Adventure Sitters through secure online payment links.

We accept major credit and debit cards. Families should not pay care specialists directly for the service.

5.2 Card on File & Hold Authorization

To confirm a booking, you agree that:

• A valid card will be stored securely on file.

• A temporary hold / pre-authorization may be placed for the estimated total of your booking.

• After the service is completed, the final amount (including any approved extra time or changes) will be charged to the card on file.

This process allows us to manage your booking smoothly and apply any approved changes in a single, secure transaction.

5.3 Tips

If you would like to leave a tip for your care specialist, you are welcome to:

• Give it in cash directly, or

• Ask us to add a gratuity to your card payment.

6. Changes & Cancellations

6.1 Changes to Time, Date, or Number of Children

Changes are subject to availability and may affect the total cost.

Please contact us as early as possible if you need to adjust:

• Start or end time

• Date

• Number of children

6.2 Cancellation Policy

• More than 48 hours before the booking:

No cancellation fee.

• Between 48 and 24 hours before the booking:

A fee equal to 2 hours at your standard rate will be charged.

• Less than 24 hours before the booking or same-day cancellation:

A fee equal to 4 hours at your standard rate (our minimum booking) may be charged.

If different or stricter terms apply for holiday or peak dates, they will be clearly indicated in your confirmation email before payment.

6.3 No-Show

If a care specialist arrives at the confirmed time and place and:

• the family is not present, and

• we cannot reach you within a reasonable window (30 minutes),

the booking may be treated as a late cancellation, and up to the 4-hour minimum may be charged.

7. Family Responsibilities

By booking our services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information about your children, including age, any allergies, medical conditions, or special needs.

• Ensure that the care environment (home, room, or venue) is safe and suitable for children.

• Be reachable by phone or message during the booking.

• Return at the agreed end time or contact us as soon as possible if you need to extend the booking.

• Not request tasks from the care specialist outside of childcare (e.g., deep cleaning, driving children without prior agreement, general housework, cooking full meals for adults, running personal errands) without approval from the agency.

If the environment is unsafe, or the care specialist feels uncomfortable for any justified reason, Adventure Sitters reserves the right to end the service and charge according to time served and applicable cancellation terms.

8. Health & Illness

For the safety of all families and our team:

• If a child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious illness, we may not be able to provide care.

• You must let us know as soon as possible if your child is unwell before the booking.

• If a child becomes visibly ill during the booking, the care specialist will contact you and may ask you to return earlier, if necessary.

Adventure Sitters cannot provide specialized medical care. In emergencies, the care specialist will call 911 and then contact you.

9. Safety & Supervision

• Care specialists are responsible for the direct care and supervision of the children during the agreed hours.

• Adults present in the home or venue are expected to conduct themselves in a way that does not compromise the safety or comfort of the care specialist or the children.

• Adventure Sitters does not authorize children to be left alone without a responsible adult at the property if the care specialist has left or the booking has ended.

10. Event & Program Services

For events, hotel programs, and private group activities:

• Specific staffing, ratios, and pricing will be confirmed in writing in your proposal or confirmation.

• The client or venue agrees to provide a safe space appropriate for children’s activities.

• Any additional materials or activity add-ons (such as cookie decorating, gingerbread houses, or art kits) will be listed and priced in advance.

11. Limitation of Liability

Adventure Sitters and its care specialists will take all reasonable steps to provide safe, attentive care. However:

• You understand that normal childhood accidents, minor injuries, or unforeseen incidents may occur even under proper supervision.

• To the fullest extent permitted by law, Adventure Sitters is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the services provided, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions seeks to exclude liability where it cannot be excluded under applicable law.

12. Privacy & Data

We collect and store the information you provide (contact details, children’s information, booking history, and payment details via secure processors) only for the purpose of:

• Managing bookings

• Assigning care specialists

• Processing payments

• Improving our services

We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

13. Changes to Terms

Adventure Sitters may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The current version will always be available on our website.

By confirming a booking after changes are posted, you agree to the updated terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

15. Acceptance

By checking the box “I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions” and submitting a booking request, you confirm that:

• You have read and understood these Terms & Conditions.

• You are authorized to make this booking on behalf of your family or group.

• You agree to these terms for any current and future bookings with Adventure Sitters.