Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Hilltop Daycare. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our daycare management platform ("Platform" or "Services"). By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you may not access or use our Services. These Terms apply to all users of the Platform, including parents/guardians ("Parents") and authorized administrators ("Administrators").

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to use this Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

2.2 Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

2.3 Account Types

• Parent Accounts: Created for parents/guardians with enrolled children
• Administrator Accounts: Created for daycare staff and management
• Waitlist Accounts: Temporary accounts for prospective families

3. Use of the Platform

3.1 Permitted Use

You may use the Platform to:

• Manage enrollment and registration for daycare services
• Access and update information about enrolled children
• Upload and download required documents
• Complete and submit digital forms
• Communicate with daycare staff (as applicable)
• View schedules, appointments, and announcements

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
• Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state your affiliation
• Access another user's account without authorization
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or its systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation or servers
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Platform
• Upload viruses, malware, or other malicious code
• Harass, abuse, or harm another person through the Platform
• Upload false, misleading, or inaccurate information
• Use the Platform for any commercial purpose without authorization
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform
• Remove or modify any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices

4. Content and Intellectual Property

4.1 Platform Content

All content on the Platform, including text, graphics, logos, images, software, and other materials ("Platform Content"), is the property of Hilltop Daycare or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

4.2 User Content

You retain ownership of any content you upload to the Platform ("User Content"), including documents, forms, and information about your children. By uploading User Content, you grant us a limited license to:

• Store, process, and display your User Content to provide our Services
• Create backups for disaster recovery purposes
• Comply with legal obligations and requests

You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary rights to upload User Content and that it does not violate any laws or third-party rights.

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

6. Daycare Services

6.1 Platform vs. Daycare Services

This Platform is a management tool for daycare services. These Terms govern the use of the Platform only. Separate enrollment agreements govern the actual daycare services provided to your children, including schedules, fees, policies, and procedures.

6.2 Enrollment and Waitlist

• Joining the waitlist through the Platform does not guarantee enrollment
• All enrollments are subject to availability and acceptance by Hilltop Daycare
• Additional enrollment documents and agreements may be required
• We reserve the right to decline enrollment for any lawful reason

7. Fees and Payment

The Platform itself is provided at no additional cost to enrolled families. However:

• Daycare service fees are governed by separate enrollment agreements
• You are responsible for any internet or data charges incurred while accessing the Platform
• We reserve the right to introduce fees for premium features in the future with advance notice

8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

8.1 Platform Availability

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee that the Platform will be:

• Always available, uninterrupted, or error-free
• Secure or free from viruses or other harmful components
• Accurate, complete, or current

8.2 No Professional Advice

The Platform does not provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Any information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice.

8.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hilltop Daycare and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, use, or other intangible losses
• Damages arising from unauthorized access to or use of our systems
• Any user content or conduct of third parties on the Platform
• Interruptions or cessation of the Platform

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Hilltop Daycare and its affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use or misuse of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your User Content

10. Termination

10.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by using the account deletion feature in your profile settings or by contacting us. Upon termination, your right to access and use the Platform will immediately cease.

10.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time, without notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Extended periods of inactivity
• Requests by law enforcement or government agencies
• Unexpected technical or security issues

10.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your personal data will be handled according to our Privacy Policy. Certain provisions of these Terms (including indemnification, limitations of liability, and dispute resolution) will survive termination.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Posting the updated Terms on the Platform
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you must stop using the Platform and may terminate your account.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing a formal claim, you agree to contact us and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve the dispute in good faith.

12.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of British Columbia, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

12.3 Arbitration

Any disputes that cannot be resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration in British Columbia, Canada, in accordance with the rules of the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Hilltop Daycare regarding the use of the Platform.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

13.3 Waiver

No waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

13.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, natural disasters, or internet service interruptions.