Terms & Conditions

1. About the service

SchoolPlaces.ie is operated by Paolo Ighina, sole trader, trading under the registered business name SchoolPlaces in Ireland. SchoolPlaces.ie helps parents search for schools and childcare providers, compare relevant information, receive matching and availability alerts and connect with providers. It is a discovery and matching platform, not a childcare provider, school, placement agency guaranteeing admission, or party to childcare contracts between families and providers.

2. Free services for parents

Free features may include Match Search & Chatbot, match and availability counters, compatibility percentages, email availability alerts and optional WhatsApp alerts, possible free provider introductions and access to relevant Featured Provider details under the conditions shown on the site. Matching Featured Providers may provide contact details at no charge where the parent shares their interest and contact details. Eligible Premium providers may request an introduction or access a relevant parent lead and contact the parent about a potential place. These possibilities are not guaranteed and depend on provider participation, service eligibility and availability.

3. Parent paid services

Unlimited Search: where described at purchase, this feature concerns providers registered on SchoolPlaces and does not represent a complete directory of every provider in Ireland. Filters showing availability updated or confirmed within the last 30 days reflect recorded provider updates or confirmations and are not guarantees of a currently vacant place. Access periods, scope and payment conditions are those shown at checkout.

Optional parent services may include Provider List Match, which reveals matching provider information for a one-time charge, and time-limited Unlimited Search access. Prices, duration, included features and any other conditions are those clearly displayed at checkout when ordered. Buying search or match information does not reserve, secure or guarantee a place. SchoolPlaces does not currently offer a Managed Outreach or assisted provider-outreach service.

4. Provider participation and paid services

Featured visibility and commercial plans: ADV, Premium, Premium Plus and other plans may offer different degrees of paid placement, banner exposure, introductions, lead access, reporting or intelligence, only as stated for the selected plan. Paid placement or a Featured label is a commercial visibility feature, not an independent endorsement, inspection or guarantee of childcare quality.

Renewals: where a provider renews a service before expiry, the applicable new service period and effective dates are determined by the checkout terms and the renewal rules displayed for that service. A renewal should not be interpreted as cancelling remaining paid access unless expressly disclosed. A one-off renewal must not be described as an automatically recurring subscription unless recurring billing was expressly agreed.

Providers may register, manage profile information, report availability, receive parent-match alerts and purchase optional services that increase visibility or enable introductions, access to eligible matched parent leads or other Premium features. Access is limited to the service actually purchased or activated; not every provider service includes contact details or introductions. Providers must use parent details solely to respond to relevant childcare or school enquiries and must comply with applicable data protection and communications law. They must not resell leads, conduct unrelated marketing or disclose parent information to unauthorised parties.

5. Availability, matching and information accuracy

Matching, compatibility percentages, provider information and availability counters are informational tools. An availability update means the provider refreshed its status; it does not necessarily mean places are available. A positive availability status is based on the latest information received and may change without notice. Parents should confirm age eligibility, hours, location, collection arrangements, fees, funding eligibility and actual vacancies directly with the provider. Providers are responsible for keeping their own information accurate.

6. Introductions and communications

A parent registering for the free matching and availability-alert service may be contacted by eligible matching providers as explained in the registration consent and Privacy Policy. Where offered, WhatsApp communications require the appropriate opt-in and a valid number; email is the primary alert channel. Neither parent nor provider is obliged to accept an introduction, enquiry, place or offer.

7. Payments, cancellation and consumer rights

For consumer purchases, any statutory cancellation rights and exceptions depend on the type of service or digital content, when supply begins and whether legally required prior express consent, acknowledgement and confirmation have been obtained. Nothing in these Terms treats a general acceptance of Terms, or payment alone, as the required consent to lose a statutory cancellation right. Any checkout-specific consent flow must be implemented and verified separately.

Payment is collected using the checkout method presented when purchasing. Services may begin immediately after purchase or be provided for the duration stated at checkout. SchoolPlaces does not offer a general voluntary refund policy or a refund simply because a parent does not secure a childcare place, a provider does not respond, or a match does not lead to enrolment. This does not affect any mandatory rights under Irish and EU consumer law, including applicable cancellation or withdrawal rights and remedies where a paid service is not supplied as agreed, is faulty, or does not conform to the contract. The availability and exceptions to any statutory withdrawal right for digital services depend on the circumstances and any legally required express consent and acknowledgement; purchasing a service does not by itself waive statutory rights. For questions about a charge or to exercise a legal right, contact hello@schoolplaces.ie with the transaction details.

8. User responsibilities

• Supply accurate details and update them when relevant.
• Use matching and contact information only for genuine school or childcare enquiries.
• Do not impersonate others, scrape personal data, send unsolicited marketing, interfere with platform security or misuse payments and access credentials.
• Providers remain responsible for their registration, safeguarding, regulatory compliance, admission decisions, childcare quality and direct dealings with families.

9. Reviews, chatbot and third-party content

Surveys and public ratings: satisfaction surveys may be offered to parents and providers. Published aggregate ratings and counts reflect the responses received and may not be representative of all users. SchoolPlaces may moderate unlawful, abusive or demonstrably inauthentic submissions, without guaranteeing independent verification of every response.

Business Partners: business partner logos, advertising, external links and potential service integrations are commercial relationships distinct from childcare provider registration and matching. Displaying a business logo does not mean SchoolPlaces guarantees that business's products or services. Submitting a partnership proposal does not create an agreement or guarantee acceptance; any commercial arrangement requires separate acceptance and agreed terms.

Reviews and provider-supplied information reflect their respective sources and are not independently guaranteed. Chatbot responses and compatibility indicators are aids to searching, not professional, regulatory or admissions advice. External websites and payment services have their own terms and privacy notices.

10. Service changes and liability

We may modify or suspend features for maintenance, security or operational reasons. We take reasonable care in operating SchoolPlaces, but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service, accurate third-party availability information, provider responses or admission outcomes. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including mandatory consumer protections.

11. Contact and updates

Questions about the service, purchases or these Terms can be sent to hello@schoolplaces.ie. We may update the Terms prospectively; material changes affecting existing purchases remain subject to applicable law.

Last updated: 16 October 2026