We want all parents and caregivers to have the chance to use and enjoy our carriers safely, so for all loans, consultations and events we ask that you read and agree to our Terms and Conditions.

You will have access to these Terms and Conditions online at all times. PDF or printed versions are available by request. We update our Terms and Conditions periodically, and so printed or PDF versions may not match those below. This webpage contains the most current and complete version of our Terms and Conditions.

If you need any further explanation or help, please email info@southlondonslings.co.uk

South London Sling Library Terms and Conditions

For the avoidance of doubt, the words “sling” and “carrier” may be used interchangeably. “South London Sling Library” may also be referred to as South London Slings”.

1 – Online Registration for Loans
1.1 – To hire an item you will be required to register for an account on our hire system: southlondonslings.myturn.com. This account will require up-to-date and accurate contact details and details of a credit/debit card (see 3.1).
1.2 – Your personal details will be kept in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and will only be used to contact you in relation to your loan.

2 – Loan Cost and Duration
2.1 – All items are lent subject to availability, condition and suitability. Subject to availability up to three items may be borrowed at one time. This may be limited to no more than one of each item type depending on demand and availability. Once an item is returned, another loan may be made.
2.2 – The standard loan period is two weeks. Each item loan fee is as listed in our MyTurn Inventory (southlondonslings.myturn.com/library/inventory) and the price listed is for the standard two-week loan period.
2.3 – At our discretion, you may arrange to borrow an item for a longer period. For additional days beyond the normal two-week period, that have been fully agreed in advance, we charge 10% of the two-week rate per day, 60% of the two-week rate per week, or the full standard loan fee for a full two-week extension.
2.4 – Items can be hired for a maximum of three months, subject to demand and at our discretion.
2.5 – Loan costs are payable by debit/credit card only, by registering your card details to your account with us on our hire system. We are unable to take cash payments for hires at any time.

3 – Hire Deposit
3.1 – Your debit/credit card details are held via our payment gateway (Stripe), in lieu of a deposit, whilst you have an item on hire. Your card details are not passed directly to us at any time and we do not have access to them. When you have returned your hired items, you are able to remove your debit/credit card details from the online system, if you wish to do so. Alternatively, we can remove them on request.
3.2 – The replacement of any lost items or accessories will be charged to the debit/credit card attached to your account unless other arrangements are agreed upon. Charges for lost components will be equal to replacement costs (including any postage, import, or other related costs). Charges for items damaged beyond normal wear and tear will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

4 – Reservations
4.1 – It may be possible to reserve an item you wish to hire, up to one week in advance. You will need to register your payment card details with our hire system before requesting a reservation.
4.2 – You will be asked to pay the hire fee in advance, via invoice. The item(s) will only be reserved if this payment has been received and acknowledged by us.
4.3 – You will be able to collect the item(s) subject to when they are next available and as agreed in advance. In the case of postal hires, we will post the item(s) on or in advance of the scheduled hire start date, subject to availability and as agreed in advance. We cannot give guarantees for when carriers will become available, but will do the utmost to provide you with the best availability information available.
4.4 – If you cancel a hire reservation less than 48 hours before the agreed scheduled collection or scheduled postage date, or fail to collect an item you have reserved, 50% of your prepaid loan fee will be retained to cover administrative costs and possible loss of revenue incurred by holding the item for you.
4.5 – We will not invoice you for a reservation request until we can guarantee the item’s availability.
4.6 – Reservation services are made available entirely at our discretion and these facilities may be withdrawn or unavailable at any time without notice.

5 – Postal Loans and Reservations
5.1 – At our discretion and by request you may be able to hire by post. For postal loans the standard loan period is two weeks, and loan fees are the same as for ‘in person’ hire. Longer hire periods may be considered at our discretion. An extra charge will be made to cover postage and packaging. Your debit/credit card details must be registered to your account with us on our hire system, as these are held in lieu of a deposit. Hire charges for postal hires may be charged via the online system, or in advance (via invoice) if the item is reserved in advance.
5.2 – Hired items must arrive back with South London Sling Library on or before their due date unless an extension is agreed in advance. See section 6 for information on returning items by post.
5.3 – Postal loan services are made available entirely at our discretion and may be withdrawn or unavailable at any time without notice.

6 – Returning Hired Items
6.1 – Returns can be made by prior arrangement at a mutually convenient time and location. If this is not possible the item(s) may be returned by post to arrive on or before the returns due date. Hired items must arrive back at South London Sling Library on or before their due date unless an extension is agreed in advance.
6.2 – PLEASE NOTE THE SLING LIBRARY LOCATION CHANGED IN JULY 2024 to a new address in Penge, London SE20. We can take no responsibility for items mistakenly sent to previous Sling Library addresses. The address for returning items can be confirmed by emailing info@southlondonslings.co.uk.
6.3 – The item is returned by post at your own cost and risk, and remains your responsibility until it arrives back to South London Sling Library. You must use a tracked and insured shipping method and retain proof of postage in case a claim needs to be made against the postal / courier service. Please allow sufficient time for the item(s) to arrive on or before the return due date.
6.4 – Please ensure that the item(s) and any accessories are packaged appropriately for postage. They should be ‘double-bagged’, with at least one waterproof layer (eg a carrier bag inside a postage bag, or two postage bags), to prevent damage during transit. For environmental reasons, where possible we save and reuse undamaged packaging material for sending postal hires, and we encourage you to do the same for returns.

7 – Late Returns and Loan Extensions
7.1 – It is often possible to extend or renew your loan (unless the item is in high demand), with payment taken via our hire system. Please email info@southlondonslings.co.uk to arrange this. Extension fees are as per Section 2 above.
7.2 – If you return your item after the agreed date, without arranging an extension, we will charge daily “late fees” of 20% of the standard two-week loan fee, for each day past the agreed returns due date, until the date that you contact us and agree a resolution. These fees will be deducted from your credit / debit card.
7.3 – If for any reason, we are unable to deduct these fees via your credit/debit card, we will send you an invoice for the outstanding amount. This is payable on receipt and if it remains unpaid after 14 days, we reserve the right to report the item to the police as stolen, and/or proceed to small claims court to recover the unpaid amount and associated costs.
7.4 – Under adverse or unforeseen circumstances we may reduce or waive fines for late returns, at our discretion, as long as the late period is less than seven days and has been agreed by us before the end of the loan period (this allows for things like postage delays or extenuating circumstances).
7.5 – If we do not hear from you within 30 days from the end of your original loan period, we will consider the item(s) lost and charge your card for the full retail price of the item(s), or the cost to us to replace the item, including any shipping, import or other additional costs.
7.6 – If we are unable to charge your card, we will send you an invoice for the cost of the item(s).
7.7 – If the item(s) are still not returned and invoice remains unpaid, we will proceed to reclaiming the cost of the item(s), and any associated administration fees, via small claims court.
7.8 – If you are unable to return your item by the agreed date due to South London Sing Library staff illness, absence or holidays, we will extend your loan period for free and agree a new return due date with you.
7.9 – If you do not respond to our efforts to contact you regarding your late / overdue item, we reserve the right to report the item to the police as stolen, and proceed to reclaiming the cost of the item, and any associated administration fees, via small claims court.

8 – Condition of the Item(s)
8.1 – All items are checked before lending to ensure that they are in good condition and working order. The borrower may check the condition of the item prior to the start of the loan and must decline to hire the item before leaving the premises, if unhappy with its condition.
8.2 – If an item is received by post, any breaks or flaws that prevent its use should immediately be reported to the Library on receipt of the item. In such cases the hire fee will be refunded in full on return of the item, however postal fees cannot be refunded.
8.3 – It is the borrower’s responsibility to check over the item before every use. Check all buckles, hems and seams ensuring that there are no tears, breaks, cracks or holes. If any damage is discovered, please stop using the item immediately and contact us.

9 – Safe Use of Carriers
9.1 – All our carriers are 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 baby or child is safe at all times when using the carrier. South London Sling Library cannot be held responsible for any accident that results in injury or death whilst the carrier or other hired item is in your care.
9.2 – All carriers and other hire items are provided with manufacturer instructions for use. These can be found under the individual item listing in our hire system: southlondonslings.myturn.com/library/inventory/browse
If, for any reason, they are not provided, it is the borrower’s responsibility to request a copy of the instructions by emailing info@southlondonslings.co.uk.
9.3 – The borrower must read all safety, use and care instructions provided prior to using the carrier or other hired item. Items must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, though where there is a choice we may recommend particular carrying methods or positions.
9.4 – We suggest that after familiarising yourself with the instructions given, you then practice using the carrier with an item such as a doll / teddy / cushion / pillow instead of your child, so that you get used to the tying / fastening / adjusting methods.
9.5 – Always ensure that you seat your child correctly in the carrier and check any knots and buckles regularly, as children do not stay still and straps and wrap passes can move or become loosened. Always monitor your child in the carrier, and ensure they maintain a safe and supported position, and that their airways remain clear and free from obstruction.
9.6 – If you feel any pain while using the carrier, change the carrying position or remove the carrier and contact us for advice before continuing use.
9.7 – 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. We can point you in the direction of lots of helpful resources and give you tips to make sure you’re getting the best out of the carrier and using it safely.
9.8 – No information provided by South London Slings, whether in person or online, constitutes medical advice. If you have health concerns about yourself or your child, please consult your GP, midwife, health visitor, or other relevant and appropriately qualified professional.

10 – Care of Hired Items
10.1 – Under no circumstances is smoking permitted whilst wearing or holding the item(s). Please avoid the item being around those who are smoking. Please inform us if you are a smoker, if there is a smoker in your home, or if the item has otherwise been exposed to smoke, as we will need to carefully launder the item after it is returned. Smoking is known to increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for babies, and these risks have been linked to babies being in close contact with clothing or objects contaminated with smoke particles (thirdhand smoke exposure).
10.2 – We cannot guarantee that there are no marks or hairs on the items we lend. Items are spot-cleaned and only laundered as necessary and appropriate, as freshly washed carriers are less soft or flexible so often harder to use, and frequent machine washing can shorten the lifespan of the item or may be unsuitable for certain fabrics. If you would prefer to use a freshly laundered carrier, please request this before you borrow. If you or your child have allergies that will require extra care (eg dried indoors not outdoors to reduce hayfever risk) it is your responsibility to let us know in advance so that we can agree the best process to minimise risk.
10.3 – Do not wash the item while it is in your care, unless expressly agreed with us first. Please do spot clean any marks when they occur, using washing up liquid and water and a damp cloth or baby wipe. If you should need to clean the item while on loan to you, you must contact us first for advice.
10.4 – We ask that all items are kept away from pets to minimise the possibility of them coming into contact with animal hairs. If you are allergic to animal hairs, please make us aware and request that the item be laundered before you borrow it to help reduce any potential reaction.
10.5 – Keep the item away from anything that may stain (sunblock, oil, paint, pens, etc), or anything that might damage it (sharp jewellery, scissors, Velcro, keys in your bag, fire, etc). Please do not offer your child food or drink other than milk or water while in the carrier. The cost of damage or cleaning beyond normal wear and tear may be charged to the debit/credit card you have saved on our system.
10.6 – If you or your child are unwell, or you are affected by any of the following whilst you have one of our items on hire, please let us know BEFORE returning, so that we can appropriately treat or quarantine the item: COVID-19; cold / flu; chickenpox; measles; hand, foot and mouth; norovirus; rotavirus; slapped cheek syndrome; roseola; staph infection; MRSA; whooping cough; ipetigo; conjunctivitis; head / body lice; bed bugs; any other condition of concern. 

11 – Ownership of Hired Items
11.1 – All slings, carriers, instructions, accessories and other hired items remain the property of South London Sling Library at all times, and all loans are subject to availability and at our discretion.

12 – Cancellations and Late Arrivals
12.1 – We have a 48 hour cancellation policy. Consultations, workshop places, support sessions or other pre-booked appointments missed or cancelled less than 48 hours in advance incur full fees, and we are not able to refund or transfer your booking.
12.2 – Let us know if you are running late for your appointment. If you are running more than 15 minutes late without letting us know, your appointment may be cancelled.
12.3 – We are not able to offer additional time for late arrivals, though this may be waived at our discretion and subject to availability under extenuating circumstances. For our Sling Support Sessions, we may still be able to accommodate you later in the session subject to availability, but we are not able to extend the session beyond its scheduled finish time.

13 – Retail Goods – Returns/Refunds/Exchanges
13.1 – We can only accept returned items that are unused and in their original, as new condition. Items must be in their original intact packaging, with all tags, labels, and instruction manuals undamaged. We cannot refund items that have been used, worn, or washed. Returned items must be in fully resalable condition. If you are unsure if an item is suitable for you, please ask for advice and take advantage of our hire service to fully test items prior to purchase.
13.2 – If your purchased item is faulty, please contact us at info@southlondonslings.co.uk. We may request photographs of the item and the fault to send to the manufacturer/supplier, before we can assist with the problem. Once the manufacturer/supplier confirm that we are permitted to exchange your item, and we have received your returned item, we will endeavour to exchange it as quickly as reasonably possible. Please note we will not be able to refund items that have been damaged due to misuse.
13.3 – You are responsible for the cost of return postage. We suggest that you use a tracked, insured service, as items remain your responsibility until they are in our possession.
13.4 – Once we have received the returned item, we will send you a full refund for the purchase price of the item within 14 days of receiving the item back. We will refund to the credit/debit card or PayPal account that you used for the original purchase. Please note the refund may take some days to appear in your account once we have processed it, with the time dependent on your credit/debit card provider.

14 – Gift Vouchers
14.1 – We do not currently offer or redeem Gift Vouchers.

Privacy Policy

Here at South London Sling Library, we are entirely committed to protecting your privacy. We comply with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulations 2018.

We collect information about you in order to process your appointment booking, item hire, or otherwise offer babywearing support. That information will only be shared with other parties that may be involved in your appointment or hire. In certain situations, we may feel the need to reach out to our wider professional network for additional expertise to allow us to better support you. In these circumstances we would either fully anonymise all information, or request and require your consent before doing so. We will always obtain consent for any information or images used on our website, social media, or promotional materials.

We may from time to time send you information about us, our products or services, which we deem appropriate.

The information we hold may include:

• Your name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Any other information necessary for processing your booking or hire, or otherwise offering you babywearing support.

This data will be held in accordance with our internal security policy. If we propose to send your data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) we will seek your consent first.

We do not store details of any credit/debit card you use to make a booking or hire. Your card details will be held by Stripe, in lieu of a deposit. Their privacy policy can be found here. You are welcome to remove your card when your hire period ends, or we can remove it, on request.

We will never collect sensitive information about you without your agreement. You have a right to ask for a copy of the information which we are holding on you and we will provide this for you. We will delete information or correct any inaccuracies as soon as you make the request.

Data will only be released to third parties (eg the police) on request where there is a legal requirement for us to do so. In extreme situations, we might share your personal details with the emergency or care services if we believe it is in your ‘vital interests’, or those of another person, to do so (for example, if someone is taken ill or injured while at one of our events, or if there are safeguarding concerns).

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