Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 14 September 2026
Welcome to Nurtured Roots Care.
These Terms & Conditions govern the use of our website, services, forms, communications, and childcare matching processes.
By using our website, submitting an application, requesting services, or engaging with Nurtured Roots Care, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
1. About Nurtured Roots Care
Nurtured Roots Care is a childcare matching and introduction service based in Ericeira, Portugal.
We provide thoughtful and relationship-led introductions between families and independent childcare providers, including nannies, babysitters, and family assistants.
Our services are primarily offered within Ericeira, Mafra, Lisbon, and surrounding areas.
Business name: Nurtured Roots Care Trading as: Fabienne Kijk in de Vegte, sole trader NIF: 332883140 Address: Rua do Oceano Índico 10, 2.º Dto, 2655-486 Ericeira, Portugal Email: fabienne@nurturedroots.eu Phone: +351 938 820 992
VAT exempt under Article 53 of the Portuguese VAT Code (isento de IVA ao abrigo do artigo 53.º do CIVA).
2. Our role and the nature of our services
Nurtured Roots Care operates as a matching and introduction service.
We introduce families to childcare providers and carry out screening before an introduction is made. Unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing:
Nurtured Roots Care is not the employer of any childcare provider
We do not supervise, direct, or schedule a caregiver's work, and we are not present during care
We are not a party to the arrangement between a family and a caregiver
We do not advise on or arrange employment, tax, or social security matters
Agreements are made directly between families and childcare providers
Families are responsible for their own hiring decisions, employment arrangements, payroll obligations, insurance, and legal compliance where applicable
Childcare providers work independently and remain responsible for the care they provide
In some cases we may provide additional ongoing support, guidance, or placement care following a successful introduction. Such support does not transfer supervision or employment responsibility to Nurtured Roots Care.
3. Eligibility
Users of our services must be at least 18 years old.
By submitting information through our website or forms, you confirm that:
the information provided is accurate and truthful
you have the legal authority to provide the information submitted
you are acting in good faith throughout the application and matching process
4. Childcare provider screening
We carry out a thoughtful vetting and screening process before introductions are made.
Our standard screening includes, as a minimum: an identity check, a video or in-person interview, and contact with at least two references provided by the caregiver. Depending on the role, the process may also include:
qualification and/or experience review
work eligibility verification
a criminal record certificate (certificado de registo criminal) or equivalent
supporting documentation where relevant
We will not knowingly introduce a caregiver to a family where our screening has identified a material concern.
No screening process removes all risk. We cannot guarantee the suitability, character, conduct, compatibility, availability, or future actions of any individual.
Families remain responsible for making their own final hiring decisions, and we always recommend meeting a caregiver yourself before anything is confirmed.
5. Family responsibilities
Families agree to:
provide accurate and honest information
communicate respectfully with childcare providers and Nurtured Roots Care
conduct their own final assessment before hiring
comply with applicable employment, tax, and social security obligations under Portuguese law
maintain safe and appropriate working conditions
communicate concerns promptly and respectfully
Families are responsible for supervising and managing childcare arrangements once employment or bookings begin.
6. Childcare provider responsibilities
Childcare providers agree to:
provide accurate and truthful information
communicate professionally and respectfully
maintain appropriate standards of conduct and care
disclose relevant qualifications and experience honestly
comply with legal working requirements in Portugal where applicable, including their own tax and social security obligations
inform Nurtured Roots Care of significant changes that may affect placements
7. Fees and payments
The first introductory call is always free. It is an opportunity for the family and Nurtured Roots Care to get to know each other and establish whether the service is a good fit. No fee is due and no commitment is made at this stage.
If both parties choose to proceed, the family receives the Family Agreement and an invoice for the applicable starter fee. Payment of the starter fee sets the matching process in motion.
Minimum booking of 3 hours. The caregiver's own rate, from €12 per hour, is agreed and paid directly between the family and the caregiver. Nurtured Roots Care does not process, hold, or transfer payments between families and caregivers.
All applicable fees are set out in the Fee Schedule, which forms part of the Family Agreement and is provided before any chargeable service begins. Fees may be updated with at least 30 days' written notice and will not apply to services already contracted.
Because work begins as soon as the starter fee is paid, we ask the family to confirm in writing that they want the service to start immediately. That confirmation means the 14-day right of withdrawal under Decreto-Lei n.º 24/2014 no longer applies to services already performed.
8. Replacement policy
If a placement does not work out, Nurtured Roots Care will offer one replacement search within 6 months of the date the caregiver first commenced work with the family, where reasonably possible. It is limited to one occasion per placement and carries no additional fee.
Replacement support is conditional on the family having acted in good faith throughout the placement. It will not be provided where a placement ended due to unreasonable conduct toward the caregiver, failure to provide agreed working conditions, or termination without reasonable cause.
Where applicable, support is provided using reasonable efforts and depends on factors including:
honesty and cooperation from all parties
timely communication regarding concerns
the circumstances surrounding the placement ending
availability of suitable alternative candidates
A replacement search does not guarantee a successful future placement.
9. Cancellation policy
For families, babysitting and short-term bookings
More than 48 hours before the booking: no cancellation fee
Within 48 hours of the booking: 50% of the booking fee will be charged
Within 24 hours of the booking: the full booking fee will be charged
For caregivers, babysitting and short-term bookings
Caregivers are expected to give as much notice as possible when cancelling a confirmed booking. The following minimum notice periods apply:
Babysitting and short-term bookings: minimum 48 hours' notice
Long-term or ongoing placements: minimum 14 days' written notice
Three or more late cancellations within the minimum notice window in any 60-day period may result in removal from the active caregiver network. Where a cancellation results in a financial charge under this policy, that charge does not replace or reduce the impact on the caregiver's standing in the network.
Unexpected caregiver cancellation
If a caregiver cancels without sufficient notice and without a valid reason, Nurtured Roots Care will make reasonable efforts to arrange a replacement. Valid reasons include genuine illness, a family emergency, or another unforeseen circumstance beyond the caregiver's control. Where illness or emergency is cited repeatedly, we may reasonably request confirmation.
If a suitable replacement is found, no charge is made to either party and the booking proceeds as normal.
If we are unable to arrange a replacement, the booking fee is refunded to the family in full, and we will issue an invoice to the caregiver for 50% of the booking fee that was charged to the family. That invoice is payable within 14 days. Repeated non-payment may affect continued participation in the network.
Nurtured Roots Care reserves the right to review exceptional circumstances on a discretionary basis for both families and caregivers. Any waiver granted does not set a precedent.
10. Refund policy
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, fees paid to Nurtured Roots Care are non-refundable once the relevant service has been initiated. Specifically:
the introductory call is always free and triggers no fee
the starter fee is non-refundable once paid, because payment activates the matching process
the success fee is non-refundable once an introduction has been made to the family, as the introduction constitutes full performance of the placement service
booking fees are non-refundable in accordance with Section 9, except where a caregiver cancels without a valid reason and no replacement can be arranged, in which case the booking fee is refunded in full
Where a membership is contracted at a distance, the statutory right of free withdrawal under Decreto-Lei n.º 24/2014 applies as set out in the Membership Terms.
Nurtured Roots Care may review exceptional circumstances on a discretionary basis.
11. Ongoing support and membership
Where ongoing support or network access services are offered, the scope of support is communicated separately and may include:
ongoing communication support
guidance during placements
assistance with replacement coordination
continued access to the childcare network
The Ongoing Access Membership is set out in full in the Membership Terms & Conditions. It covers access to the caregiver network and the coordination of introductions and bookings only. It does not constitute the provision of childcare, and caregiver fees are payable separately.
12. Our role and the limits of the service
While thoughtful care is taken during the matching process, Nurtured Roots Care cannot guarantee:
compatibility between individuals
successful placements
future conduct or actions of any party
uninterrupted availability of childcare providers
outcomes arising from independent agreements between families and childcare providers
As set out in Section 2, we introduce and screen. We are not the employer, we do not supervise or direct a caregiver's work, we are not present during care, and we are not a party to the arrangement between a family and a caregiver. Families and childcare providers remain responsible for their own decisions, agreements, supervision, and legal obligations.
Save in respect of death or personal injury, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Nurtured Roots Care shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, incidental, or special damages. Save in respect of death or personal injury, and where liability cannot otherwise be excluded, our total aggregate liability arising from or relating to any claim shall not exceed the total fees paid to us by the family in the twelve months preceding the claim.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for damage caused to life, physical or moral integrity, or health.
13. Communication standards
We aim to create respectful, calm, and trustworthy working relationships.
Users of our services agree to communicate respectfully and honestly with Nurtured Roots Care, with families, and with childcare providers.
Harassment, abusive behaviour, discrimination, dishonesty, or inappropriate conduct may result in refusal or termination of services without refund, and does not release anyone from amounts already owed.
14. Privacy and data protection
Personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Nurtured Roots Care is the data controller.
By using our services or submitting forms, you acknowledge that certain personal information may be shared as reasonably necessary for the childcare matching process.
15. Website use
All content on this website, including branding, text, graphics, and materials, belongs to Nurtured Roots Care unless otherwise stated.
Content may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission.
We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue parts of the website or services at any time.
16. Changes to these Terms
Nurtured Roots Care may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in services, operations, or legal requirements.
Updated versions are published on this page with a revised update date. The version in force is the one published here.
17. Governing law and disputes
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Portugal, without prejudice to mandatory rules protecting consumers.
If a dispute arises, please raise it in writing to fabienne@nurturedroots.eu and we will respond within 14 days. If it remains unresolved after 30 days we are willing to attempt resolution through a mediation centre recognised under Portuguese law. As a consumer you may bring proceedings before the competent Portuguese courts at any time without attempting mediation first. Information about consumer dispute resolution is available at www.consumidor.gov.pt.
These Terms are also subject to applicable EU consumer protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the Portuguese Lei de Defesa do Consumidor.
18. Contact
Nurtured Roots Care
Fabienne Kijk in de Vegte
NIF: 332883140
2655-486 Ericeira, Portugal
fabienne@nurturedroots.eu
+351 938 820 992
