Trust & Safety at KidzMaps
We verify provider identities, review listings, secure payments, and protect children's privacy. Here's exactly what we do — and what we don't.
- Provider Verification — Identity & business checks
- Credential Review — Insurance, license & more
- Secure Payments — Stripe-powered processing
- Children's Privacy — COPPA-aware practices
Provider Verification
How we verify providers who accept bookings on KidzMaps.
Identity Verification
Providers who accept bookings on KidzMaps complete Stripe Connect identity verification, which includes government ID verification and matching against business records. KidzMaps relies on Stripe's verification; we do not independently re-verify identity. Required for providers accepting bookings.
Business Verification
Providers who accept payments through KidzMaps complete Stripe Connect onboarding, which verifies their business entity, tax information, and banking details before any money can move. Required before accepting payments on KidzMaps.
Listing Review
Activity listings are reviewed for accuracy and compliance with our community standards before they appear in search results. AI-assisted moderation flags content policy violations (prohibited categories, misleading claims, inappropriate language) for human review. Listings reviewed for content policy before publication.
Review Authenticity
Reviews on KidzMaps are restricted to parents who completed a booking through the platform. This reduces fake reviews and helps ensure ratings reflect real experiences. Booking-verified reviews only.
A note on informational listings
Some listings on KidzMaps are informational only — parents discover the program here and book directly with the provider, off-platform. These listings have a clear "Informational listing" banner on the detail page and don't go through Stripe Connect onboarding or identity verification (there's no payment for us to safeguard). Listing review and content moderation still apply. When the provider claims the listing and enables bookings on KidzMaps, the full verification flow described above kicks in.
Safety Credentials
Documents providers can verify to earn trust badges.
- Liability Insurance (Insured): General liability insurance covering activities and participants. We verify policy details, coverage amounts, and expiration dates.
- Business License (Licensed): State or local business operating license appropriate for the type of activity offered. Childcare licenses verified where applicable.
- Additional Certifications (Certified): CPR/First Aid certifications, lifeguard certifications, coaching credentials, and industry-specific accreditations (ACA, STEM.org, etc.).
Document Verification Process: Uploaded documents are reviewed by KidzMaps administrators. Verified credentials display a green checkmark badge on the provider's profile and their activity listings. Documents pending review display an amber clock icon.
Platform Protections
Built-in safeguards for every booking.
Secure Payments
- Stripe-powered payment processing
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliance
- Card data never touches KidzMaps servers
- Fraud detection & prevention
Children's Privacy
- COPPA-aware practices
- Minimal data collection
- No child photos stored
- Parent-controlled profiles
Data Security
- Encryption at rest & in transit
- SOC 2 infrastructure (Supabase)
- Regular security audits
- GDPR-ready data handling
Understanding Trust Badges
What each badge means when you're browsing.
- KidzMaps Verified: Provider has claimed their profile, completed identity verification, and agreed to our safety standards.
- Insured: Provider carries liability insurance. Policy documentation has been verified by KidzMaps.
- Childcare Licensed: Provider holds a state-issued childcare license. The trust card on their profile links directly to the state agency's public record so you can verify the license yourself.
- Business License: Provider has submitted a state or local business operating license. This is a general business registration — not a substantive safety credential.
- Accredited / Permitted: For camps: ACA (American Camp Association) accreditation, state camp permits, or comparable industry credentials when applicable to the activity type.
What KidzMaps does not do
We want to be clear about what our verification covers — and what it doesn't. Providers on KidzMaps are independent operators. Parents are responsible for making informed decisions about who cares for their children.
- We do not conduct site visits or facility inspections.
- We do not independently verify staff backgrounds or qualifications beyond reviewing submitted documentation.
- We do not monitor activities, classes, or programs in real time.
- We do not provide childcare or supervise children — providers are independent operators.
- We do not endorse or guarantee the safety of any activity or provider.
- We do not audit insurance policies for ongoing coverage between renewal cycles.
The trust badges and verifications described above tell you what KidzMaps has reviewed. They are not a substitute for your own judgment, references, in-person visits, or direct conversations with the provider.
Safety Tips for Parents
What to look for and ask when booking.
- Check Trust Badges: Look for the "KidzMaps Verified" badge and green credential badges. More badges = more verified credentials.
- Read Reviews: Read reviews from other parents. Our reviews are booking-verified — only parents who actually participated can review.
- Ask Questions: Use KidzMaps Messaging to ask providers about staff qualifications, safety protocols, and child-to-staff ratios before booking.
- Visit First: For day camps and recurring activities, consider visiting the facility before your child's first day. Most providers welcome drop-in visits.
- Provide Emergency Info: Always complete emergency contact forms and share allergy/medical information. Providers need this to keep your child safe.
- Report Concerns: If something feels wrong, contact KidzMaps support. We review every report and take appropriate action.
Report a Safety Concern
If you have a safety concern about a provider, activity, or experience on KidzMaps, please contact us. We review every report and take appropriate action.