Privacy Policy - Kinder M8 - Kinder M8

PRIVACY POLICY OF KINDER M8 PTY LTD

www.KinderM8.com.au

Effective Date: 1st March 2024

  1. Introduction

Welcome to Kinder M8 Pty Ltd (“Kinder M8”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). We provide a comprehensive Childcare Management System through our website, www.KinderM8.com.au, and our mobile application, TeacherM8 (collectively referred to as the “Service”). Our services are designed to support families, childcare centres, and educational professionals by offering streamlined solutions for management, communication, and engagement.

We recognise the importance of privacy to our users and are committed to safeguarding the personal information you entrust to us, in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

This Privacy Policy outlines our practices concerning the collection, use, and handling of your personal and sensitive information via the Service.

By accessing and using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our Service.

  1. Definitions

For the purpose of this Privacy Policy, the following terms are defined as such:

  • “Personal Information” refers to any information relating to an identifiable individual, as understood within the context of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
  • “Service” encompasses all the childcare management solutions provided by Kinder M8 through our website and the TeacherM8 app.
  • “User” is any individual who uses our Service, whether as a childcare provider, parent, or guardian.
  • “Sensitive Information” includes data about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, health information, or other such categories as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
  • “Children’s Information” pertains to any personal details related to children under the care of our users, which is collected and used with a high degree of care and legal compliance.
  • “Data” collectively refers to Personal Information, Sensitive Information, and Children’s Information.
  • “Website” signifies the Kinder M8 online platform accessible through www.KinderM8.com.au.
  • “Application” or “App” refers to the TeacherM8 mobile application, which is an integral part of the Service.
  1. Collection of Information

In the course of providing our Service, we collect and store various types of Data to facilitate and enhance the user experience. This includes:

  • Personal Information: Names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, and other such details that help us to establish and support user accounts.
  • Sensitive Information: Specific data points that may be considered sensitive, as outlined by law, which we handle with additional safeguards to ensure its protection.
  • Children’s Information: Data related to children that are collected with parental or guardian consent, which is essential for the tailored childcare services we provide.

This Data is collected through your interactions with our Service, such as when you register for an account, contact our customer support, or engage with other Service features.

Kinder M8 may collect information from various sources, including:

  • Directly from individuals when they provide information to us, whether in person or otherwise.
  • When an individual signs up or registers to use the Kinder M8 Application.
  • When Personal Information, including photographs or videos of an individual, is uploaded into the Kinder M8 Application. This may occur when a child is photographed or filmed in connection with educational or related activities by staff at a center, and the image or film is subsequently posted on a Kinder M8 account by an authorized User of the Application, such as the child’s parents/guardians, family members, specialists, or Early Childhood Providers.
  • If materials created by a child include Personal Information and are uploaded into the Application by the child or other persons authorised by the child’s parent or guardian.
  • In relation to a child, from the child’s parent or guardian, family member, or Early Childhood Provider at a center using the Application, or a professional care provider who has registered to use the Application.
  • Regarding sensitive information (as defined in privacy legislation) when such information is submitted in relation to a child or an adult in posts made by users through the Application.
  • When conducting transactions with us using a credit card or other method of payment.
  • When interacting with us on social media, visiting our website, sending an inquiry through, or making a comment or other post on the website.
  • When signing up or subscribing to an email marketing list.
  • When meeting with an organization wishing to do business with us, and an individual from that organization provides Personal Information about themselves.
  • When evaluating job applicants and personnel, which may include collecting details such as employment history and educational qualifications. This may also include the collection of “sensitive information.”
  1. Purpose of Collection

We collect Data for various reasons, all aimed at delivering and enhancing our Service:

  • To authenticate the identity of our users and provide personalised access to our Service.
  • To communicate with users about their accounts or any updates to our services.
  • To manage our internal operations, including record-keeping, billing, and compliance requirements.
  • To analyse how our Service is utilised in order to improve and develop its features for a better user experience.

Every piece of information we collect serves the goal of making Kinder M8 a more responsive and efficient platform for our users.

  1. Use of Collected Information

The information we gather is primarily used for the delivery and improvement of our Service. Specifically, we use this information to:

  • Administer accounts and manage user profiles.
  • Process transactions and maintain financial records.
  • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries.
  • Enhance the functionalities of our website and app, ensuring they meet your needs effectively.
  1. Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with third parties under the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers: When necessary, we share information with service providers who assist us in our operations, such as payment processing and data analysis. These partners are prohibited from using your information for any other purposes.
  • Legal Obligations: If required by law, we may disclose your information in response to a subpoena or similar legal process.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred.

We ensure that any third party with whom we share your information will provide an adequate level of protection.

  1. Data Security

At Kinder M8 Pty Ltd, we are dedicated to safeguarding your personal information with robust data security protocols including secure server hosting, data encryption, firewalls, and access control measures. We conduct regular security audits to further fortify data protection. While we strive for the utmost security, we recognise that no system is impervious to breaches. In such rare instances, we are prepared to promptly address the issue, minimise any impact, and inform any affected parties as per legal requirements.

We aim to primarily store and process data within Australia, aligning with the country’s privacy laws. In scenarios where data must be transferred internationally, we proceed only with stringent safeguards to uphold an equivalent level of protection.

  1. International Data Considerations

We store and process your information on servers located in Australia and remain committed to protecting your personal information regardless of its location. If your data needs to be transferred internationally, it will be conducted in compliance with Australian privacy laws and with appropriate safeguards in place. When transferring data internationally, we will ensure that either the receiving country provides an adequate level of legal protection or that the service providers uphold the confidentiality and security of the data.

  1. Access and Correction

You have the right to access the personal information that Kinder M8 Pty Ltd holds about you. You can also request correction of any inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading information. To access or correct your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer with your request. We will respond to your request in a reasonable timeframe and may require identification verification before providing access to ensure the security of the information.

  1. Cookies and Tracking

Our Service uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to monitor and analyse Service usage and trends, and to improve your interaction with our website and app. You have the option to disable cookies in your browser settings, but please be aware that some features of our Service may not function properly without them. Our tracking technologies do not collect personal information, and we do not use tracking information to identify individuals without their consent.

  1. Advertising and Analytics

We may use your information for analytics purposes to improve our Service and for targeted advertising to provide you with more relevant offers. However, we respect your privacy and provide you with the option to opt-out of targeted advertising through your account settings or by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in any marketing communication you receive.

  1. Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding the collection, use, and sharing of your personal information, including the right to:

  • Opt-out of our use of your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
  • Request deletion of your personal information when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
  • Restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances, such as when the accuracy of the information is contested.
  1. Consent and Withdrawal

By using our Service, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your personal information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you wish to withdraw your consent at any time, please contact us. Please note that withdrawing consent may affect your ability to use certain features of the Service.

  1. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. When personal information is no longer needed, we take steps to destroy or de-identify it securely. Should you wish to request the deletion of your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer.

  1. Complaints and Contact Information

If you have any concerns or complaints about our handling of your personal information or if you believe there has been a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), please contact our Privacy Officer at:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: +61 2 7204 2659
  • Address: Level 11/65 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

We are committed to resolving any complaints amicably and in a timely manner. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

  1. Policy Changes and User Notification

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes to our information practices. If we make any material changes, we will notify you by email (sent to the email address specified in your account) or by means of a notice on our Service prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our privacy practices.

  1. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy and any disputes arising under it shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of Australia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes or claims related to the Privacy Policy will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Australia.

  1. Interactions with Third-Party Services

Our Service may include links to third-party websites, plug-ins, and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our Service, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.

  1. User Responsibilities and Account Management

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information, including your password, and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to notify Kinder M8 Pty Ltd immediately of any unauthorised use of your account or password, or any other breach of security.

  1. Right to Amend

Kinder M8 Pty Ltd reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time. The use of information we collect is subject to the Privacy Policy in effect at the time such information is used. We will inform you about significant changes in the way we treat personal information by sending a notice to the primary email address specified in your Kinder M8 account or by placing a prominent notice on our site.

  1. Data Protection Officer

Our Data Protection Officer is responsible for overseeing and ensuring our compliance with privacy laws and this Privacy Policy. If you would like to communicate with our Data Protection Officer, please use the contact details provided in section 15.