TERMS & CONDITIONS
All customers are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set out below. In the unlikely event of failing to do so, a customer may be requested not to continue lessons with Doodle Dippers. A refund will not be eligible in these circumstances. From time to time we may update these terms by sending you either an updated version or notification of minor changes. You are free to not accept these changes but we would ask you to notify us in writing of your non acceptance within 14 days of your receipt, failing which we will be entitled to treat our agreement with you as being subject to the updated version.
Class information
Our courses run throughout the year, with regular breaks in line with school holidays, bank holidays, Easter and Christmas. Each lesson is either 20 or 30 minutes dependent on your child’s age. Each course is usually 10 to 12 weeks in length. We kindly request that you arrive on time and are ready to enter the water at your allocated class time. We have a maximum of 6 children and parents in our classes. Doodle Dippers may, at its own discretion, refuse entry to a client to its courses if it is felt that the client's behaviour is unreasonable.
Payment
At present we are unable to take card payments so courses need to be paid for by cash, cheque or bank transfer. The whole course needs to be paid for in advance. We will advise you when you need to re-book for the next terms classes.
Refunds and Cancellations
Doodle Dippers is under no obligation to refund or transfer your money in the event that you are unable to attend part of or the entire course. We regret that we are unable to offer an alternative for missed lessons. In the rare instance that we have to cancel a class, we will endeavour to re-schedule your lesson. If this is not possible we will issue a credit against your next term’s fees. When a pool is not available on public health or other grounds outside of our control, we will try to reschedule the class at an alternative pool. On some occasions where this is not possible we will offer you a refund or credit for next term’s fees. Once you have paid and you decide to cancel a course before it begins, we will offer a refund minus a £30 administration charge. If the course has started, we are under no obligation to refund any part of the course fee. Should a lesson already in progress or about to start have to be cleared due to a fire alarm then we are under no obligation to refund the lesson or part thereof.
Illness & Immunisation
Should your child or the adult taking your child into the water develop any known or suspected disease or illness you must please consult your doctor before bringing them swimming and inform Doodle Dippers immediately. All information received is treated in confidence and with sensitivity. Never bring your child swimming if they have any illness such as an ear infection, diarrhoea, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis or a bad cold. Please wait until your doctor has given the all-clear before returning to classes. In the instance of sickness and diarrhoea your child must have been clear of all symptoms for at least 3 days before attending a lesson. Please bear in mind that if your child is feeling unwell, they may not benefit or enjoy the class. We recommend that you visit the government website on vaccinations www.immunisation.nhs.uk or consult your health visitor.
Video and Photography
At some venues – photography is strictly prohibited. Your teacher will advise you. No underwater cameras or underwater recording equipment of any description may be used during any lessons. We are happy for parents, grandparents and friends to take photos from the poolside as long as this is done in a safe and non distractive manner. If you are asked to stop – it may be due to other swimmers requests and decisions from Doodle Dippers staff is final. Please remain sensitive to the feelings of others. We expressly forbid the right to reproduce any part of our lessons in any form (e.g. on the internet, DVDs, photographs etc). Anyone suspected of continually filming or photographing the lessons for any purpose of publication will be asked to stop filming and leave the course. Doodle Dippers cannot be held liable for the actions of third parties, and, therefore excludes to the fullest extent possible by law, any liability arising from a breach of this section headed “Video and Photography” by any party.
Medical conditions
You will be asked for any medical conditions for anyone attending our classes. This includes yourself, anybody who may bring your child and your child themselves. You must agree to inform Doodle Dippers of any changes, including pregnancy, as soon as you are aware of them. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If no medical conditions are declared, you agree that any participant is in good physical and mental health.
Valuables and Jewellery
All property left in any area of the facility you are attending (including vehicles in the car park) is left at your own risk. We cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal possessions. Please remove all jewellery (except wedding rings) before entering the water for the safety of you and your child.
Nappies and Changing your Baby
Without exception, all babies/toddlers under the age of 3 years or older that are still in a nappy or within 3 months of being ‘dry’ must wear our ‘double layer’ nappy system: a disposable swim nappy with a neoprene Happy Nappy (available from www.splashabout.net – approx £9 + delivery) or Nappicova (available from www.konfidence.co.uk – approx £6.50) on top. Doodle Dippers reserves the right to refuse entry to any child who is not suitably attired. Always change your baby on the floor using a suitable changing mat. Do not use any raised areas such as benches, trolleys or tables. This is to prevent babies from rolling onto the floor from high surfaces which can easily happen and is extremely distressing for all concerned. Please take all your used nappies and rubbish away with you. Never leave nappies in an open bin (including those within the venue grounds). We request that you leave the changing facilities in the condition that you would expect to find them.
Adverse Weather
Doodle Dippers is under no obligation to refund lessons that may be missed by local adverse weather when the venue and environs are safe and accessible and lessons are held. We regret that we are unable to offer automatic refunding or rescheduling of lessons in the event of adverse conditions local to yourselves preventing you from attending a scheduled class.
Teachers
Whilst it is our policy that we endeavour to ensure you always have the same teacher, we cannot guarantee this. We reserve the right to replace a teacher at any point if necessary. We will provide a suitably qualified Instructor to work in the water with you and your children. Customers accept that at times there will be physical contact between the teacher and their child in a professional manner. A copy of the company’s Public Liability Insurance Policy, Pool Risk Assessment, CRB checks and teachers qualifications are available for inspection at any time.
Pool/Poolside Health and Safety
No outer footwear should be taken onto poolside or into changing rooms. Please use blue overshoes (if available) or go barefoot if you prefer. Please always endeavour to shower both yourself and your child before entering the water. Please refrain from wearing body lotions, perfumes or make up etc. before swimming as it contributes significantly to maintaining water quality. Whilst you are waiting for your class, please keep poolside noise down to a minimum so that all lessons can take place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Do not enter the pool until the current class has finished and please always wait to be told to do so by your teacher. Never enter the water without your teacher present. You are responsible for the safe supervision of any children you bring at all times: on poolside, in the changing rooms and on the pool premises. They should always be under the direct supervision of an adult and never be left unattended. There is a strict no running policy on poolside to avoid accidents. Doodle Dippers reserves the right to ask anyone to leave the poolside at any time. Unfortunately we can only accommodate one adult in the pool at a time with each child. However, we are happy for other members of your family, friends, or child minders to bring your child to classes. Anyone new to the class must let the instructor know at the beginning of the session, so they can provide the extra help and advice that will be needed. Please tie back long hair or wear a swim cap but remove hair clips so they don’t fall out.
Other Information
If you are bringing a small baby and you need to ‘milk’ feed it – this is acceptable before the class as we want you both to get the most out of the lesson (which if baby is hungry will prove difficult!). Please ensure they have been winded sufficiently and if your baby has reflux etc – please bear this is mind. Solid feeds should be given 1-2 hours prior to swimming to avoid regurgitation. Little ones are often hungry straight after a swim so we would advise bringing a snack for the journey home! No food or drink is permitted in the pool or on poolside including chewing gum. Alcohol should never be consumed prior to a lesson. Smoking is strictly forbidden within any pool building or grounds.
If you have a complaint or any comments please call Sarah on 07921 211059 or put it in writing and send it to our registered address:- 28 Albion Gardens Close, Royton, Oldham OL2 6PW. Any aggressive or offensive behaviour to our staff or the staff at your pool facility will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
All personal information held by us is private and used solely by us and will not be disclosed under the Data Protection Act 1998.
You agree to give permission to Doodle Dippers, its owners and operators to seek medical treatment for any of the participants in the event of an emergency.
Exclusion of Liability
Doodle Dippers is a Trading Name of Doodle Dance Ltd. In the absence of any proven negligence, lack of due diligence or breach of duty by the instructor(s); Doodle Dippers; its franchisees or employees, the participation of you; your spouse/partner; child or those in whose care you have placed your child for the purpose of attending or observing Doodle Dippers swimming sessions is done so entirely at your and their own risk.