Policies | Motor City Sitters

Cancellation Policy

For Families:

If you provide more than 24 hours notice, your booking fee will be credited to your account and no cancellation fee charged. If you book with less than 24 hours notice, a $25 cancellation fee + 2 hours of care (to be paid to the sitter) will be invoiced. Consistent cancellations will result in termination of your account with Motor City Sitters.

For Sitters:

Effort must be made by the sitter to contact Motor City Sitters immediately to ensure we can find a replacement for the family. In the event you no call-no show or give less than 12 hours notice of cancellation, your care contract with Motor City Sitters will be terminated.

Sickness Policy

General Sickness Policy

Baseline Illness:

Typically known as the common cold, this includes symptoms such as sniffles, runny nose, and a dry cough without fever. It's prevalent among parents, children, and those in close proximity to children, especially during winter. Motor City Sitters acknowledges that this baseline illness is to be expected when working with or having children in the home. It's not considered a barrier to work or placement confirmation unless explicitly communicated to Motor City Sitters. If you have or are planning to use Motor City Sitters

Key Points:

If a sitter declines to work in a home with baseline illness present, they won't incur a cancellation fee nor lose a point with Motor City Sitters. The agency will endeavor to find a substitute sitter for the family.
If a sitter is experiencing baseline illness and the family declines coverage, the family is responsible for the cancellation fee.
If a family exhibits symptoms beyond baseline illness, a sitter may decline to work, and the family is responsible for the cancellation fee.
Standard cancellation protocol applies if either party exhibits symptoms beyond baseline illness.

Covid Policy

If a sitter, family, or child is exposed to a known positive COVID case, they're expected to test for COVID and inform the agency and/or the relevant parties.

If the exposed parties test negative, show no symptoms, and agree to mask-wearing, the placement is expected to proceed as scheduled.

Key Points:

If a sitter declines to work in a home exposed to COVID, where all parties test negative, show no symptoms, and agree to mask-wearing, they won't incur a cancellation fee and won't lose points. The agency will seek a substitute sitter.
If a sitter has been exposed to COVID but tests negative, shows no symptoms, and agrees to mask-wearing, and the family declines coverage, the family bears the cancellation fee.
Standard cancellation protocol applies if either party tests positive for COVID.

Both families and sitters can inform Motor City Sitters if they believe they're an exception to the baseline illness and COVID exposure policies. Please contact Motor City Sitters if you believe you are exempt.

If undisclosed sickness occurs:

If a sitter discovers undisclosed illness beyond baseline sickness upon arrival, they're entitled to leave immediately, and full compensation is due.
If a sitter arrives at a home with undisclosed illness beyond baseline sickness, the family can send them home without payment, and a refund for placement will be issued if a replacement cannot be found.

Thorough communication between sitters and families regarding sickness is expected. Motor City Sitters continues to promote handwashing and mask-wearing for the safety of all involved in placements.

Dispute Resolution

Purpose

The purpose of the Motor City Sitters (MCS) Dispute Resolution Policy is to establish a fair, transparent, and efficient process for resolving disputes that may arise between families and sitters. This policy is designed to ensure that all parties are heard and that resolutions are achieved in a manner that maintains the integrity and trustworthiness of the MCS community.

Scope

This policy applies to all sitters and families engaged with Motor City Sitters. It covers disputes arising in the context of the services facilitated by MCS, including but not limited to:

Payment Issues: Discrepancies or disagreements over payment rates, invoicing, and compensation.
Service Quality: Concerns related to the quality of care provided by sitters or the conditions under which care is provided by families.
Conduct: Reports of behavior by families or sitters that is inappropriate, unprofessional, or in violation of MCS policies.
Compliance with MCS Policies: Disputes arising from alleged non-compliance with any MCS operational guidelines, terms of service, or policies.

Dispute Resolution Process

Initial Reporting

Parties wishing to report a dispute must complete the designated Dispute Form available on the MCS platform, providing a detailed account of the issue, including relevant dates, communications, and any attempts at resolution.

Acknowledgment

MCS will acknowledge receipt of the dispute report within two business days and provide an overview of the next steps.

Investigation

A neutral MCS representative will conduct an investigation, which may include discussions with both parties, review of documentation, and consultation of relevant policies.
Both parties will have the opportunity to present their side of the story and any evidence they wish to be considered.
Mediation
If deemed appropriate, MCS may suggest mediation, facilitating a discussion between the parties to reach a mutually agreeable resolution.
Mediation sessions will be conducted in a neutral and respectful manner, aiming for constructive dialogue.

Resolution and Follow-up

Upon conclusion of the investigation or mediation, MCS will propose a resolution based on the findings and the principles of fairness and policy compliance.
Both parties will be informed of the resolution and any required actions to be taken.
MCS will conduct a follow-up to ensure the resolution has been implemented and to assess the need for any further action.

Roles and Responsibilities

MCS: Responsible for facilitating the dispute resolution process, ensuring it is conducted fairly, transparently, and efficiently.
Sitters and Families: Expected to participate in the dispute resolution process in good faith, provide all relevant information, and adhere to the proposed resolution.
Confidentiality
All disputes and discussions during the resolution process will be treated with confidentiality to protect the privacy and dignity of all involved parties.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of the Motor City Sitters (MCS) Safety and Emergency Response Policy is to ensure the safety and well-being of both the children under care and our sitters. This policy outlines the procedures to follow in situations where a sitter feels at risk, an emergency occurs, or there is suspicion of neglect or abuse.

Scope

This policy applies to all sitters engaged with MCS and families utilizing MCS childcare services.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Immediate Safety Measures: If a sitter feels at risk or identifies an immediate danger to themselves or the child, they are to prioritize safety by moving to a secure location if possible and necessary.

Emergency Services Contact: In the event of an emergency that requires immediate medical attention or poses a direct threat, the sitter should dial 911 or the local emergency number without delay to ensure prompt assistance.

Notification to MCS:

For non-threatening situations requiring support or guidance, sitters are instructed to use the designated MCS Google Voice number for direct contact. This line will be monitored for timely response to sitter queries or concerns.
For urgent issues outside the scope of Google Voice support, detailed contact procedures for emergency situations will be provided, including secondary contact numbers and email addresses.

Policy for Reporting Neglect/Abuse:

Observation and Documentation: Sitters are trained to observe and document any signs of neglect or abuse, including but not limited to physical injuries, behavioral changes, or verbal disclosures by the child that may indicate maltreatment.

Immediate Reporting:

To MCS: Sitters must report any suspicions or evidence of neglect or abuse to MCS immediately, providing a detailed account of their observations and concerns.
To Authorities: Depending on the severity and immediacy of the situation, sitters may also be instructed to report directly to local child protective services or law enforcement, following which MCS will provide support and follow-up on the report.

Legal Compliance and Support:

MCS is committed to complying with all local and state laws regarding the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.
MCS will support sitters and families through the reporting process, ensuring that all legal obligations are met and that the welfare of the child is prioritized.

Confidentiality and Protection:

All reports of neglect or abuse will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity.
MCS will take appropriate measures to protect the identity and welfare of the sitter, the child, and the family involved, consistent with legal requirements and the best interest of the child.

Contact Information

MCS Phone Number: 810-354-5508

Emergency Contact for MCS: Francesca Munaco

Feedback Policy

Overview: Motor City Sitters (MCS) believes in the continuous improvement of our childcare services, enhancing the experiences of both families and sitters. This Feedback Policy is established to guide the submission and utilization of feedback, underlining its significance in fostering a transparent, respectful, and quality-driven childcare community.

Scope

This policy applies to all families and sitters engaged with MotorCity Sitters services, outlining the expectations and procedures for providing and handling feedback.

Feedback Submission

Encouragement of Feedback: While not mandatory, MCS strongly encourages both families and sitters to provide feedback after each placement. This feedback is crucial for maintaining the quality of our services, addressing concerns, and celebrating successes.

Method of Submission:

Families and sitters will be provided with a link to an online feedback form via email after the completion of each service.
Timeliness: To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of feedback, MCS requests that feedback be submitted within 48 hours following the end of a placement.

Content of Feedback

Constructiveness: Feedback should be constructive, providing clear examples or explanations that support the rating or comments given. This approach facilitates understanding and actionable improvement.
Respectfulness: All feedback must be provided in a respectful and courteous manner, regardless of the nature of the feedback. MCS promotes a culture of respect and constructive communication.
Confidentiality: Identifiable information about individuals should not be disclosed in feedback. MCS is committed to protecting the privacy of all parties involved.

Use of Feedback

Improvement: Feedback will be reviewed by MCS staff and used as a basis for service improvement, sitter training, and addressing any family concerns.
Recognition: Positive feedback may be used for the recognition of sitters, contributing to their professional development and reputation within the MCS community.
Resolution: In cases of negative feedback, MCS will initiate a follow-up process to understand the concerns raised, mediate where necessary, and implement solutions to prevent future occurrences.

Feedback Review and Response

Review Process: MCS will review all feedback received, maintaining confidentiality and impartiality.
Response: MCS may respond to feedback where clarification is needed or to inform the submitter of any actions taken as a result of their feedback.
Dispute Resolution: Should feedback raise issues of a serious nature, MCS's dispute resolution process may be initiated to address and resolve these concerns effectively.

Policy Acknowledgment

By utilizing Motor City Sitters services, both families and sitters acknowledge this Feedback Policy and agree to the guidelines outlined for submitting and handling feedback. MCS appreciates the involvement of our community in sharing their experiences, as this collective insight drives our mission to deliver exceptional childcare services.