House rules

What The Village is

The Village is a private club, by invitation only, for travel nannies, travel companions, childcare, elderly care and everyday help. It introduces and vets members. Families and helpers make their own written agreements with each other. The Village is not an employer, an agency, a travel company or an insurer, and never holds or transfers the money members pay each other.

A formal club, not favours between friends

Every engagement made through The Village is a formal agreement, written down and accepted by both sides before it starts. It is not a favour, and it is not a casual gig. Both sides know exactly what they agree to, and the written agreement can be relied on, including in court, if something goes wrong.

Two kinds of engagement

• Paid. The request states what the family pays and how: by the hour, the day or the engagement. The family pays the helper directly.
• Travel experience. No payment in money. The request states exactly what the family covers, such as the flight, the hotel, meals and transfers, plus the working hours and the free time.

Membership

• Membership is by invitation only. The person who invites you vouches for you, and their name stays on your profile.
• A person from the club team approves every new member.
• Helpers have a welcome interview, give two references and show the official record check from their country before they can respond to requests. We record that we saw it and when, and never keep a copy.
• When you invite or vouch for someone, you say how you know them, for how long and why you vouch for them. Your name and your words stay on their profile for members to see.
• Vouch only for people you know personally. If someone you vouched for breaks these rules, the club team talks to you too. You can withdraw your vouch at any time.
• Each member has three invitations. Invite only people you would trust with your own family.

Villages, ambassadors and gatherings

• Every member belongs to the Village of the city where they live. Requests can be answered by members of any Village, which matters for travel.
• Each Village has ambassadors, appointed by the club team. They welcome new members, may approve members who join their Village, and host gatherings. Helper checks, warnings and suspensions stay with the club team.
• Gatherings are for members only. The address is shared only with members who reply that they are coming. Keep it within the club.
• Parents look after their own children at gatherings. No photos of other members' children without their parents' consent.

Your word is binding

• If you agree to something, you do it. A confirmed agreement is cancelled only by written mutual agreement or for a valid reason: illness or injury with medical documentation, death or serious illness in the close family, official travel restrictions or cancelled transport, or a real risk to safety.
• Cancelling a confirmed agreement without a valid reason breaches these rules and normally ends your membership. The costs owed to the other side are set out in your agreement.
• Every cancellation is made in the club, so the date, time and reason are on record.
• Do not accept an agreement you are not sure you can keep. Ask for a new draft first.

Before any trip

• Family and helper meet first, in person or by video.
• No first engagement between a family and a helper is overnight or abroad. Do a shorter local engagement together first.
• Tickets and bookings for the helper are made only after both have accepted the written agreement. Choose changeable fares and refundable stays where possible.
• Helpers hold their own travel and health insurance and the right documents for the destination.

Honesty and safety

• Give true information about yourself and about the people to be cared for.
• Never ask a member for money outside a signed agreement. Report anyone who does.
• No alcohol or drugs while responsible for a child or a person in care. No photos of other members' families on social media.
• In an emergency, call the local emergency number first. Report every incident to The Village within 24 hours.
• Zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, discrimination, fraud and unsafe behaviour.

Tax, insurance and the law

Each member is responsible for their own tax, social security, insurance, registrations and permits, where they live and where the engagement takes place. In many countries, a trip given in return for work also counts as income.

When a rule is broken

A person from the club team reviews what happened, speaks to both sides and informs the member who invited them. Software never suspends or removes anyone. Every suspension or removal comes with written reasons, and the member has 14 days to reply before the decision is final.

What The Village promises, and what it does not