1. Definitions
In these Terms:
- "AuntyNow", "we", "us" or "our" means the operator of the AuntyNow platform.
- "Parent" means a registered user who requests childcare services for a child or children.
- "Caregiver" means an independent childcare provider registered on the platform.
- "Booking" means a confirmed childcare engagement created through the platform.
- "Service" means the platform, website, APIs and related support.
2. About AuntyNow
AuntyNow is a technology platform that connects Parents with independent Caregivers. We are not a childcare agency, employer, nursing service, medical provider or emergency service. Caregivers are independent contractors, not employees, agents or partners of AuntyNow.
We provide the marketplace, identity verification, booking tools, payment escrow and support infrastructure. We do not supervise, direct or control the manner in which Caregivers perform care. The direct childcare relationship is between the Parent and the Caregiver.
3. Eligibility and accounts
To use AuntyNow you must:
- Be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering a contract;
- Provide accurate, complete and current information;
- Maintain the security of your password and account credentials; and
- Have the legal authority to arrange care for any child included in a booking.
You may not share your account, impersonate another person, create multiple accounts to evade review, or attempt to access another user's records. You must notify us immediately of unauthorised account use.
4. Verification
New Parent accounts must submit identity information, address proof, emergency contact details and household safety disclosures. Parent approval requires a successful NIN match and administrative review.
New Caregiver accounts must submit a profile, identity information, next-of-kin details and payout account information. Caregivers cannot become available or receive assignments until an administrator approves them and Youverify has matched their NIN and BVN to their legal name and date of birth.
A verification badge indicates that the submitted record passed our review workflow. It does not guarantee character, continuous suitability, a criminal-record check or medical fitness unless AuntyNow separately confirms that check in writing.
5. Booking flow
A Parent creates a booking request with a schedule, area, care address, child count and ages, and any relevant care notes. The Parent may request a specific listed Caregiver or choose automatic matching.
The platform assigns an eligible Caregiver only when the Caregiver is verified, approved, available, in the same city and free for the booking time. Assignment creates a binding booking between the Parent and the Caregiver, supported by AuntyNow's escrow and tools.
If no eligible Caregiver is available, the request remains open until cancelled by the Parent or matched.
After assignment, the Caregiver records journey, arrival, care-start and completion states through their account. Parents and Caregivers must keep each other informed of material changes through the platform.
6. Scope of care and prohibited services
The Caregiver's obligations are limited to the childcare services described in the confirmed booking, which may include supervision, feeding, hygiene assistance, play, bedtime routines and other ordinary childcare tasks appropriate to the children's ages and needs.
Unless expressly agreed in writing through the platform before the booking starts, Caregivers do not provide and are not authorised to provide:
- Medical, nursing, physiotherapy, psychological or therapeutic services;
- Special-needs care requiring professional certification or training;
- Tutoring, teaching or educational instruction beyond casual play-based learning;
- Driving or transporting children in any vehicle;
- Household repairs, electrical work, plumbing, cleaning unrelated to the children, or pet care unrelated to the children;
- Financial, legal or estate-management services;
- Any task that requires a professional licence, registration or insurance that the Caregiver does not hold; or
- Any service that the Caregiver reasonably believes is unsafe, unlawful or outside their competence.
7. Requests outside the agreed scope
If a Parent asks a Caregiver to perform any service that is not part of the confirmed booking, the Caregiver may decline without penalty. If the Caregiver agrees, that additional service is arranged directly between the Parent and the Caregiver and is not covered by AuntyNow's escrow, insurance (if any), support or Terms.
Important disclaimer: If a Parent requests a Caregiver to offer services outside the scope agreed in the booking, the Parent assumes full legal and financial liability for the outcomes of that service. AuntyNow is not liable for any injury, loss, damage, dispute, complaint or claim arising from services requested, arranged or performed outside the confirmed booking, whether or not the request was made through the platform, by phone, in person or by any other means.
Parents must not pressure Caregivers to accept work outside the agreed scope. Caregivers must immediately report any request that makes them uncomfortable or that they believe violates these Terms or any law.
8. Pricing and payment
Parents prepay funds into a wallet through Paystack. A booking can be created only when the wallet contains enough to cover the care value plus the service fee. On booking creation, the full amount moves from the available wallet balance into booking escrow.
Held funds are not released to the Caregiver while a booking is matching, assigned, en route, arrived or in progress. On completion, the care value is released to the Caregiver's earnings wallet and the service fee is retained by AuntyNow. Automated bank payout to Caregivers is not currently enabled; release is to the in-platform earnings wallet.
All prices are in Nigerian Naira (NGN). Internal records store amounts as integer naira. Paystack API calls may use kobo.
9. Cancellation and no-shows
A Parent may cancel in the app while a booking is matching, assigned or en route; the full held amount returns to the Parent's available wallet. After the Caregiver has arrived, in-app cancellation is unavailable and support must review the circumstances.
If a Parent cancels repeatedly, cancels after arrival without good reason, or fails to be present or reachable at the care location at the scheduled time, AuntyNow may, after review, forfeit part or all of the escrow to compensate the Caregiver and cover platform costs.
If a Caregiver fails to arrive or complete a booking without a valid reason, AuntyNow may cancel the booking, return funds to the Parent and take enforcement action against the Caregiver's account, up to and including permanent removal from the platform.
10. Conduct and safety
The following are strictly prohibited on or through the platform:
- Neglect, abuse, violence, harassment, discrimination or intimidation of any person;
- Being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or impairing medication while providing or receiving care;
- Secret recording, unauthorised photography or invasion of privacy;
- Bringing weapons, dangerous items or unauthorised visitors to a care location;
- Soliciting or arranging bookings off-platform to evade fees, escrow or safety controls;
- Providing false information or documents;
- Any unlawful activity.
Parents must provide a safe, clean and accurate care environment and truthful information about the children. Caregivers must accept only work they can perform safely and must follow reasonable Parent instructions that are within the agreed scope of care.
11. Emergencies
AuntyNow is not an emergency service. In any situation involving immediate danger, injury, medical emergency or crime, the Parent, Caregiver or another adult present must contact the appropriate emergency services first. In Nigeria, dial 112 or the relevant local emergency number.
After the emergency has been addressed, users should notify AuntyNow at hello@auntynow.ng so we can record the incident and provide support.
12. Ratings and reviews
After a completed booking, Parents may rate Caregivers. Reviews must be honest, factual and not defamatory, abusive, discriminatory or false. We may remove reviews that violate these rules or that are unrelated to a genuine booking. Ratings are part of a Caregiver's public profile and affect matching.
13. Intellectual property
The AuntyNow name, logo, software, text, designs and other platform content are owned by AuntyNow or its licensors. You may not copy, modify, distribute or create derivative works without our prior written consent, except as necessary for your ordinary use of the service.
14. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by Nigerian law:
- AuntyNow is not liable for the acts, omissions, negligence or misconduct of any Parent, Caregiver or third party;
- We are not liable for any injury, loss, damage or claim arising from childcare services actually provided by a Caregiver, except to the extent caused by our own gross negligence or wilful misconduct;
- We are not liable for indirect, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages; and
- Our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the service is limited to the total service fees paid by the Parent for the specific booking giving rise to the claim, or ₦50,000, whichever is lower.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by negligence.
15. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AuntyNow, its officers, employees and agents from any claim, loss, liability, damage or cost (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the platform, your request for services outside the agreed scope, or your negligence or misconduct.
16. Termination and suspension
We may suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms, poses a safety risk, is inactive for an extended period, or is required by law. You may close your account by contacting hello@auntynow.ng; closure may be limited by open bookings, disputes or legal retention requirements.
17. Dispute resolution and governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, the dispute shall be resolved through mediation or arbitration in Lagos, Nigeria, in accordance with the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, unless both parties agree otherwise in writing.
These Terms do not remove consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under Nigerian law.
18. Changes to these terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified through the platform or by email. Continued use of the service after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
19. Contact
For questions, disputes or legal notices, contact hello@auntynow.ng or privacy@auntynow.ng for data protection matters.