Parent Time Terms of Service

Article 1: Purpose of These Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (hereinafter referred to as the “Terms”) establish the conditions for the use of the "Parent Time" service (hereinafter referred to as the “Service”) provided by Synk LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Synk”) for parents or guardians (hereinafter referred to as “Guardians”).

Please read these Terms carefully before using the Service. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of these Terms and information related to the Service posted on the website, these Terms shall take precedence unless otherwise specified.

By applying to use the Service, Guardians are deemed to have agreed to these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

These Terms may be amended due to changes in laws, societal conditions, or modifications to the Service, in accordance with Article 548-4 of the Civil Code (Amendment of Standard Terms). In the event of changes, Synk will notify Guardians by posting the revised Terms, the updated content, and the effective date on the website in advance (hereinafter referred to as “Amendment Notice”). Unless otherwise specified, such amendments will take effect as of the effective date stated in the Amendment Notice.

If you do not agree to the amended Terms, please discontinue use of the Service. If you continue to use the Service after the effective date, you are deemed to have agreed to the amended Terms, which will apply from that point forward.

 

Article 2: About the Service

When a Guardian wishes to use the Service, the Guardian shall entrust Synk with childcare services.

Due to the fluctuating availability and demand for childcare providers, it may not always be possible to secure a provider for the desired date, time, or location requested by the Guardian. Synk does not guarantee the availability of childcare providers to meet specific requests for date, time, or location.

1. The Service provided by Synk to Guardians includes the following:
   (1) Reservation and application for childcare services by childcare providers.
   (2) Related tasks deemed necessary by Synk in connection with the above.

2. Synk reserves the right to modify the content of the Service at its discretion.

3. Any bank transfer fees incurred by the Guardian when making payments to Synk under these Terms shall be borne by the Guardian.

Article 3: Conditions of Use

The Service is available only to individuals who meet all the following conditions. However, Synk reserves the right to add, remove, or modify these conditions through an Amendment Notice.

1. Individuals who have not previously been denied use of the Service or had their use suspended due to violations.

2. Individuals aged 20 years or older.

3. Individuals who are not associated with antisocial forces, do not cooperate with, or participate in the management or operation of such forces.

4. Legal guardians living with children aged 0 to 15 years.

5. Individuals using the Service solely for the purpose of temporarily entrusting their children to a childcare provider.

6. Other individuals approved by Synk.

(Exclusions)
The Service cannot accommodate children with severe illnesses or disabilities. Additionally, if the child has a fever exceeding 37.5°C, is suffering from a contagious illness, or if the childcare provider determines during the meeting that the child is unsuitable for care by someone other than the Guardian, the Service will be refused.

 

Article 4: Application Procedure

Individuals wishing to apply for the Service must provide Synk with their name, email address, hotel accommodation details, and an emergency contact number. Additionally, at the time of handing over the child, the Guardian must present a copy of their identification to the childcare provider.

Synk may, at its discretion, request Guardians to submit identification documents related to information about the child (e.g., name, nickname, date of birth). Guardians are obligated to comply with such requests. Synk will manage the submitted documents appropriately.

If there are any changes to the submitted information, the Guardian must promptly notify Synk of the updated details. If the Guardian fails to provide updated information, resulting in damages to themselves, Synk, or a third party, the Guardian shall be held responsible for such damages.

1. When the service date is confirmed, an online meeting may be conducted involving the Guardian, the child, Synk, and the childcare provider.

   • If Synk and the childcare provider determine during the meeting that the child is unsuitable for care by someone other than the Guardian, the Service may not be provided.

   • Similarly, if the Guardian determines during the meeting that the childcare provider is unsuitable, the application may be withdrawn.

Article 5: Conclusion of the Childcare Service Agreement

A childcare service agreement is established when the Guardian completes the required fields on the designated section of the website, submits the application for the childcare service, and Synk accepts the application. If Synk or the childcare provider cannot accept the application due to circumstances on their end, Synk will notify the Guardian of the reason.

If the Guardian cancels the agreement after it has been established, the Guardian shall pay a cancellation fee to Synk as specified in Article 6, Paragraph 1, from the time of reservation onward.

Even after the childcare service agreement has been concluded, Synk may cancel the agreement due to its own circumstances, and the Guardian agrees to this in advance. In cases of cancellation, lateness, or early departure by the childcare provider (hereinafter referred to as “Delays, etc.”), Synk will refund 100% of the payment received to the Guardian.

Synk shall not be liable for any damages incurred by the Guardian as a result of cancellations or Delays, etc., such as fees for alternative childcare providers or facilities, or lost wages, except when such circumstances are attributable to Synk or the childcare provider.

If Synk determines that there is a reasonable concern that the Guardian may be unable to pay the childcare service fees or may fall under the prohibited actions specified in these Terms, Synk reserves the right to cancel the agreement even after its conclusion. In such cases, Synk shall not bear any responsibility for the cancellation.

Childcare providers shall present their childcare certification upon request from the Guardian.

 

Article 6: Timing of Childcare Service Agreement Conclusion and Cancellation Policy

A childcare service agreement is concluded when the Guardian submits the required information to Synk, applies for the service, and after a Zoom meeting, Synk and the childcare provider accept the application. However, if either party cancels the reservation before the fulfillment date, the concluded agreement shall be terminated. Applications and acceptances by the Guardian and the childcare provider shall be conducted via email notifications from Synk.

1. Cancellation Policy

   • From the time the reservation is confirmed until three months before the service date: Free of charge

   • From three months to one month before the service date: 30% of the fee

   • From one month before the service date: 100% of the fee

2. Notes:

   • Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are not counted as business days.

   • Communications received after 6:00 PM will be treated as received on the next business day.

   • The childcare provider will wait at the designated meeting point for 15 minutes, even if the Guardian does not contact them. If the Guardian fails to arrive within 15 minutes, the service will be considered canceled, and no refund will be provided.

3. Cancellation by Synk or the Childcare Provider
   Synk or the childcare provider may request the cancellation of the agreement based on the child’s condition on the day of service. In such cases, 50% of the service fee will be refunded to the Guardian.

 

Article 7: Scope of Childcare Services

1. Scope of Services

The childcare services provided by our company shall include the following. These services are available for children aged 1 to 15 years old unless otherwise specified:

1.1 Temporary care of a child in the room of a lodging facility designated by the guardian. (Applicable age: 1–15 years)

1.2 Accompanying the guardian or family on outings and providing childcare during such occasions, such as visits to theme parks or department stores. (Applicable age: 1 year and above)

1.3 Temporary care of a child at partner childcare or educational facilities as requested by the guardian. (Applicable age: 1–12 years)

1.4 Facilitation of cultural experiences, such as at Japanese restaurants, temples, shrines, or other venues, as requested by the guardian. (Applicable age: 6 years and above)

1.5 Any other services specified on this website.

1.6 Ancillary tasks deemed necessary by the company or the childcare provider related to the services listed in items 1.1 to 1.4.

• Childcare providers must inspect the designated location in advance.

• During the provision of childcare services, childcare providers will not perform the following tasks to ensure the safety of the child:
  (1) Preparing or assisting with meals for the child in the absence of the guardian.
  (2) Administering medication or performing other medical procedures (except in emergencies as defined separately).
  (3) Any other activities deemed inappropriate by the childcare provider.

 

2. Service Hours

The childcare services shall be provided from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 365 days a year. Service sessions shall be booked in increments of three hours, with additional time set in 30-minute increments for bookings exceeding three hours.

A late fee equivalent to one session will apply if the guardian is more than 15 minutes late for pick-up.

Service time will be calculated as follows:
2.1 Start: When the childcare provider meets the guardian and the child.
2.2 End: When the child is handed back to the guardian, and the guardian signs the service completion section.
2.3 In cases where the actual service time is less than three hours, the session will be rounded up to three hours.

 

3. Communication During Service

During the provision of services, the childcare provider will, upon the guardian's request, share updates about the child via Skype, provided such communication does not interfere with childcare duties.

 

4. Emergency Response

In the event of emergencies (such as accidents, injuries, sudden illness, or disasters) during the service period, the company and childcare providers will promptly contact the guardian or the emergency contact to seek instructions.

If the company or childcare provider is unable to reach the guardian, they will prioritize the child’s safety and take reasonable actions, such as administering first aid, transporting the child to a medical facility, or evacuating to safety based on their judgment.

While every effort will be made to ensure the child's safety, the company and childcare providers shall not be liable for any damages, including potential aftereffects resulting from emergency actions.

The guardian shall bear any costs incurred in responding to emergencies. The company will promptly report the incident to relevant local authorities as required.

Additionally, childcare providers are required to understand and acknowledge their duty to report incidents to local authorities, including but not limited to accidents and disasters. The agreed-upon pick-up location during emergencies, such as fires or earthquakes, shall be as stated in the signed document completed during drop-off.

Both the company and the guardian shall ensure that the details of the relevant embassy are verified in advance.

 

 

Article 8: Service Fees

1. The basic fee for childcare services is 35,000 yen (excluding tax) + transportation costs for the childcare provider + actual expenses. The actual cost for optional programs will be estimated when the service is requested, and after the completion report is confirmed following the service, the fee will be calculated based on the actual service hours provided. The Guardian is responsible for paying the actual costs of the service separately from the childcare service fee.
   The Guardian must pay the service fee by bank transfer or credit card within 7 days after receiving the estimate and invoice following the service application. However, if the childcare provider advances the cost, the Guardian must pay these costs in cash directly to the childcare provider as actual expenses.
   If the Guardian is more than 15 minutes late for the child pickup at the end of the service, an additional charge equivalent to one service block (3 hours) will be applied.

2. Once the Guardian makes the payment for the service fee and actual expenses to the company as per the above section, the payment obligation of the Guardian for the childcare service fee and actual expenses will be deemed fulfilled. The Guardian shall not pay any fees directly to the childcare provider unless otherwise agreed by Synk.
   Even if the Guardian pays the childcare service fee or actual expenses to the childcare provider or a third party, the payment obligation to Synk remains unchanged as per section 1.

3. The Guardian must immediately update any changes or errors in the registered credit card details, such as the card number or expiration date.

4. If the payment cannot be completed due to invalid credit card details, the Guardian must immediately correct the information.

5. In case of payment delays by the Guardian, Synk may send reminders and contact the emergency contact of the Guardian.

Article 9: Personal Information Protection and Information Provision

Synk will handle the personal information and other privacy-related data of the Guardian in accordance with the privacy policy. For more details on the privacy policy, please refer to (https://www.synkllc.com/inquiry).

 

Article 10: Intellectual Property Rights

The childcare provider and the Guardian agree that all copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights related to this service belong to Synk or the rights holders who have granted Synk the right to use them. The childcare provider and the Guardian must not duplicate, transfer, lend, translate, modify, reproduce, transmit to the public (including enabling public transmission), forward, distribute, publish, or use them for commercial purposes, among other activities, without permission.

 

Article 11: Changes to Terms of Use and Suspension of Services

1. Synk may change the terms of use without prior notice to the guardian.

2. Synk may change, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the service at any time, without notifying the guardian, if deemed necessary. Synk shall not be held responsible for any disadvantages or damages incurred by the guardian due to such changes, suspension, or termination.

3. Even if the service is changed, suspended, discontinued, or terminated, any childcare service contracts that were effectively established between the guardian and Synk before these events shall not be affected.

 

Article 12: Disclaimer

1. Synk has secured liability insurance to cover damages incurred by guardians during the use of childcare services provided in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. If a child sustains damages due to reasons attributable to the Company or the childcare provider during the provision of childcare services, insurance benefits will be paid within the coverage limits of the liability insurance policy held by the Company. Please note that insurance benefits may not be paid in cases of accidents or other incidents caused by force majeure. We strongly recommend that guardians individually obtain insurance to cover damages not attributable to the Company or the childcare provider.

2. Synk provides insurance for incidents that occur during the childcare service from the perspective of protecting the childcare provider. However, it is clarified that Synk's insurance coverage does not add any contractual responsibility to Synk.

3. Synk does not take responsibility for the theft or loss of items brought by the child, unless it is due to the fault of Synk or the childcare provider.

4. Synk will not be held responsible for any injuries or illnesses the child may experience during the childcare service, provided they are not caused by the fault of Synk or the childcare provider. The guardian is obligated to report the child’s health condition accurately to Synk and the childcare provider in advance and must sign a consent form regarding the child’s health status.

5. If the guardian fails to pick up the child within 30 minutes after the service ends without prior notice, or if the guardian is unable to pick up the child due to an accident or other issue, Synk will take the child to the nearest police station or embassy. The transportation fees and any additional charges incurred will be billed separately.

 

Article 13: Third-Party Services

1. Third-party websites may provide links to this service, regardless of whether Synk has granted approval. Synk is not responsible for any damages incurred by the guardian related to these third-party websites, unless the damages are caused by Synk's fault.

2. The use of external services during the provision of childcare services will be subject to the terms and conditions of the respective external service. Synk is not responsible for any damages, disputes, or issues arising from the use of these external services.

 

Article 14: Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Japanese law. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms of Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo Summary Court or the Tokyo District Court, depending on the amount in dispute, as the court of first instance.

 

Article 15: Contact Information

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this service, please contact us using the inquiry details provided below. Please note that the Japanese version of these Terms and Conditions shall take precedence in all circumstances.:

Contact: sayas@synkllc.com

(Last updated: January 27, 2025)