Terms and Conditions

Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully before using your hired Sling or Carrier, Cloth Nappy Kit or Party Kit.

Sling and Carrier Safety

All carriers are extremely safe when used properly; however misuse can cause injury to yourself or your child. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using the carrier correctly and that your child is safe at all times when using the carrier.

Always follow instructions for use carefully and check for signs of wear before use.

All carriers are provided in good condition and have been checked for safety before being hired out. You will be shown how to use the carrier prior to hire and where applicable given the opportunity to try it on yourself. Links to videos created by Parenting Chaos Calmly or where appropriate videos showing safe techniques created by other carrying professionals and/or links to manufacturers instructions will be provided on request.

It is the responsibility of the borrower to familiarise themselves with carrying techniques and safety guidelines and ensure they feel confident using the carrier before using it without our direct instruction.

Carriers borrowed from Parenting Chaos Calmly must not be used when taking part in any exercise class (with the exception of Sling Swing) or adventurous activity. It is not legal to use a carrier to carry a baby whilst riding a bicycle in the UK.

Always ensure that you seat your child correctly in the carrier and check any knots regularly as children do not stay still and straps and wrap passes can move or become loosened.

If you feel any pain while carrying your child, change the carrying position or remove the carrier. If you are unsure about anything you read in the instructions, are not sure what you’re doing or are at all concerned, please contact us directly.

Please do not smoke or vape while using or near the carrier or accessories. Please inform us if you are a smoker, or if there is a smoker in your home as we will need to carefully launder the items after they are returned. Smoking is known to increase the risk of cot death for babies, and these risks have also been linked to babies being in close contact with clothing or objects contaminated with smoke particles.

Food and posset marks are expected when carrying children, but please keep the sling away from anything that may stain more permanently (oil, paint, pens, etc.), or anything that might damage it (scissors, Velcro, keys in your bag, fire, etc.). The cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear may be removed from your deposit. Please spot clean the carrier using water as required, please do not launder the carrier unless with prior agreement and under specific instruction from us.

Sling, Carrier and Nappy Kit Hire

All items are lent subject to availability, condition and suitability. All items remain the property of Parenting Chaos Calmly regardless of length of loan or renewals thereof.

The standard loan period is £12 for two weeks. A £40 deposit is payable for all loans, the deposit will be returned following the timely return of the hired item, undamaged with all additional accessories. Please return items at the beginning of a library session or to us prior to the return date. Please note is your responsibility to return loans, we will not be able to collect.

The replacement cost of any lost carriers, accessories or items will be paid for out of your deposit or become due if the cost is greater than the deposit paid. Charges for lost components will be equal to replacement cost (including any postage costs). Charges for items damaged beyond normal wear and tear will be judged on a case by case basis. In these circumstances, hire fees and any associated administration costs will continue to accrue until payment is settled. Outstanding charges may be pursued through the Small Claims Court if payment is not made within a reasonable time.

If you return your hire late £1 per day late fees will be charged for every day past the agreed return date, until the date that you either return the item or pay to extend your hire including any fees incurred to that date. Persistent lateness with returns, rehires or late fees may result in you no longer being able to loan from us. It is not usually possible to renew your loan more than once unless in exceptional circumstances.

Returns can be made at any library session or via the drop box at 14 Keats Close, Royston SG8 5AU. If this is not possible the item may be returned by post to the above address to arrive on or before the returns due date. The item is returned by post at your own cost and risk (Please double bag and address both layers, please use Recorded or Special Delivery and retain proof of postage). Please ensure you allow sufficient time for the item to arrive by its return due date.

Under no circumstances are items to be left with staff at Clay Farm Centre or Jolly Postie Royston.

Deposits which are unclaimed after 28 days from the return of the item will be reinvested back into the loan stock.

Your personal details will be kept in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and will only be used to contact you in relation to your booking and loan. In line with tax and accountancy guidelines, all data will be destroyed after 7 years.

Nappy Washing Instructions

Washing reusable nappies is really simple but we recommend keeping our washing instructions by your machine or bookmarked so it is easy to refer back to during your hire.

Storing Soiled Nappies:

On removing a soiled nappy from your child, flush any solids down the toilet, and if you are using disposable liners, then they need to go in the bin. Please do not flush any liners, even if they say flushable, as they do not break down like toilet paper and can cause problems in the plumbing and sewers.

In your kit you will find an extra large wet bag. This is where you should store the nappies when soiled and waiting to be washed. There is no need to soak the nappies. Please close any Velcro tabs on the soiled nappy before placing it in the wet bag, so they don’t snag other nappies. To clean the wet bag, simply put it into the machine along with the nappies (see below).

Washing Library Nappies:

Good News! You do not need to buy anything special to wash your nappies in! All you need is normal NON-BIO washing powder from any supermarket. Please DO NOT use other types of detergent, liquids or fabric conditioners as these can affect the absorbency of the nappies, or damage the fabric of the nappies.

The dosage of the powder will be down to water hardness and amount of nappies in your wash, in our area ¾ of a dose is usually sufficient for a daily load.

When you are ready to wash, follow these steps:

Up end the wet bag into your machine drum and give it a good shake so the nappies start to come out, then just leave the bag in with the nappies. You don’t usually need to shake every nappy out, as the machine will do that during the washing process.
Wash the nappies using a cold rinse cycle (no powder). This separates the nappies out, rinses away urine etc and helps prevent staining on the nappies.
Once that cycle is finished, add your powder and put the machine on a full 40 or 60 degree wash. A 40 wash is fine in most cases, but if baby is poorly or you feel that the nappies are not coming out clean, then use a 60 degree wash or increase your detergent dosage. Always use a full wash, not an intensive, quick or eco wash, as they will not fully clean the nappies. Please do not use a higher temperature as this can damage the fabric of the nappies.
If you think there are detergent bubbles left in your machine at the end of the cycle, you can add another rinse cycle to get rid of any leftover powder.

Drying Library Nappies:

Nappies should be air dried, either on a fold out airer inside or a washing line outside. Please DO NOT tumble dry nappies belonging to Early Connections or use directly on heated airers and radiators, as this can damage the waterproofing materials.

If you have any concerns please contact us prior to your loan ending, we’d much rather troubleshoot while you still have the kit.

Party Kits

Party kits will be provided in a plastic box with a kit list of all the items included within it, please check this prior to use so any issues can be dealt with prior to your celebration.

Hire collection and return

Please collect your hired items at the arranged time and give us as much notice as possible if you are running late or need to change your collection time, we will do our best to accommodate changes, but this is not always possible. Party Kit Hire is for 7 days as standard, longer hires are available by prior arrangement only. Please ensure you return the kit on the day it is due to ensure it does not impact on the next persons hire. Late return fees of £5 per day will be charged if your hired items are not returned on time unless you have contacted us in advance and arranged a later return.

Changes to your hire may be made up to 24 hours before you are due to collect your items, after this it may not be possible to provide you with the requested additional items.

A membership deposit of £10 will be taken on booking with the hire fee due on collection of your items. Your deposit will be returned when you return your hired items. If items are damaged or missing upon return deductions will be made from your deposit that will be put towards replacement as follows -

Small items (Plates, bowls, cups, cutlery) - 50p per damaged /missing item

Larger items (Serving platter, jugs, tablecloths) - £2 per damaged/missing item

Specialist Items (Cake carriers, cupcake transporters) - Your full deposit will be retained

Deposits which are unclaimed after 28 days from the return of the item will be reinvested back into the loan stock.

Washing Up

If you are cleaning your hired items yourself, please use hot soapy water or wash using a dishwasher and please no not use any harsh abrasives when cleaning. You will need to ensure that the items are thoroughly dried before putting them back in the box to prevent mould.

If you have booked a washing up service, please scrape the plates, bowls and platters and empty jugs and cups before placing the items into the box. Please place any unused items into the wet bag provided.

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