UpStudio Africa

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Terms and Conditions

Updated as of 31-Jan-2024

  1. Admission and Application Forms
  • For children turning 4 years old or those who have recently turned 4, UpStudio Africa requires a 20-minute assessment before finalizing their admission and requesting an application. A final decision on the assessment may be delivered within 48 hours. UpStudio Africa reserves the right to delay admission and will provide a timeline for reassessing students’ readiness to join UpStudio.
  • All applications must be completed before the first day of class. Incomplete, illegible, or indecipherable applications will not be considered valid and will be deemed void.
  • We cannot accommodate your child in a program if it is already full, as we aim to maintain the best and safest learning environment.
  • Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to provide accurate and honest information about their child’s learning capabilities in the application. This helps us customize and optimize their learning and growth experiences at UpStudio Africa. Clear communication about special learning needs or considerations will enable us to provide the best possible support to each student.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to any program or activity. UpStudio reserves the right to assess applications and make admission decisions based on available space, qualifications, and other relevant factors.
  1. Payments and Reservations

    Price
  • Payments for UpStudio Africa courses or camps are required to be made in full. We do not provide parents and/or guardians with the option to make instalment payments for each class in a course or camp unless explicitly stated in the program’s marketing. This policy is in place to ensure that students can optimize their learning outcomes and experiences.
  • UpStudio Africa reserves the right to adjust the prices of its programs to maintain the quality of our teaching and learning. Parents and/or guardians will receive notification of any price changes at the beginning of each program.
  • Prices for courses and/or programs offered by partners and/or external facilitators may differ from regular in-house programming.

    Payment Methods
  • We currently accept mobile money, bank transfers, and card payments. All fees associated with bank transfers and mobile money transactions are the responsibility of the parent and/or guardian. Debit or credit card payments at our facility will incur a 2% processing fee, transferred to the parent.
  • Cash payments are not accepted unless communicated and approved by UpStudio administration.

    Payment Confirmation
  • Once payment has been made, parents and/or guardians are required to share the payment confirmation with UpStudio via WhatsApp or email at shama@upstudio.africa. UpStudio will respond within 48 hours, confirming receipt of payment and providing a virtual receipt via email.

    Payment Timelines
  • Payments made after the initial 15 days of the term or the first 2 days of camp will incur a 10% penalty unless approved payment terms and plans have been communicated and approved by UpStudio’s administrative team.
  • Payments for expeditions and workshops must be completed at least 2 days before to secure your spot.
  • Payment plans can be arranged with parents and/or guardians on a case-by-case basis.
  1. Cancellation and Make-Up Class Policy
  • A 24-hour notice is required for class cancellation, allowing us to find an alternative time for a make-up class, subject to facilitator availability. If scheduling a make-up class is not feasible due to time or facilitator constraints, a class credit will be provided for future classes. Failure to provide a 24-hour notice means the class cannot be rescheduled or credited.
  • The value of the credit offered for a missed class is determined by the session’s value and the overall program cost. UpStudio retains the right to make the final decision on the credit’s value.
  • Class credits can be applied or redeemed for any course, camp, or innovation pop-up conducted or facilitated by members of the UpStudio Africa team. However, they cannot be applied to programs conducted by partners or external facilitators.
  • UpStudio reserves the right to cancel or reschedule programs or classes due to circumstances beyond its control, such as low enrollment, instructor availability, or facility issues. In such cases, participants will be offered a refund or credit for the affected program.
  1. Code of Conduct

    Drop-off and Pick-up
  • Parents and/or guardians must introduce themselves, along with the individuals responsible for pick-up and drop-off, to the facilitators and the rest of the UpStudio Africa team.
  • Students are required to be ready for class 3 minutes before start time. They should wait outside under the supervision of parents and/or guardians until the facilitator allows them to enter the space, ensuring smooth transitions between classes.
  • Ensure children use the bathroom before class time to facilitate active participation in the classroom without disruption.
  • Parents, guardians, maids, and/or drivers are required to arrive 5 minutes before class ends to pick up the child. Timely collection of children is crucial to ensuring that teaching and learning are not disrupted. Late pickups will incur charges, with fees of Tsh 10,000 applied for every 15 minutes students are waiting to be picked up.

    Behavioural Policy
  • Bullying, harassment, discrimination, or any behaviour that disrupts the learning environment is strictly prohibited. Depending on the severity of the violation, parents and/or guardians may be contacted, and students may be asked to leave the session immediately.
  • All participants, including visitors, staff, volunteers, and program participants, are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, inclusive, and considerate manner while on UpStudio’s premises or participating in any activities provided by UpStudio.
  • UpStudio reserves the right to thoroughly investigate reported incidents and take appropriate action based on the findings. The following is the process UpStudio will use to investigate the offence:
    • Students will be allowed to share their perspectives on the incident at hand.
    • Parents and/or guardians will be invited to meet with the student and the UpStudio team to discuss the incident and plan the next steps.
    • Students may be asked to leave a course, or UpStudio as a whole. UpStudio reserves the right to make a final decision to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students.
  • Consequences for violating the behaviour policy may include verbal warnings, temporary suspension from participating in UpStudio’s activities, or permanent expulsion from UpStudio programs, depending on the severity of the offence.

    Parental Engagement
  • Parents, guardians, and/or caretakers will not be permitted inside the classroom during the sessions. Students under the age of 4 years or those attending UpStudio for the first time may have a caretaker for the first class. UpStudio will review these requests 24 hours ahead of the sessions and reserves the right to make the final decision.
  • Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to ask questions and engage with students about the sessions conducted at UpStudio. Queries or concerns can be directed to the UpStudio Africa team through WhatsApp or email at shama@upstudio.africa.

    UpStudio and Personal Property
  • Students are required to carry a reusable water bottle to class at all times. The allowance for snacks will be communicated to parents and/or guardians ahead of time and may be limited to longer sessions, such as camps or expeditions.
  • UpStudio is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings. Both students and their parents and/or guardians are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their belongings.
  • UpStudio advises students against bringing valuable items unless discussed and agreed upon with the UpStudio Africa team. This precaution helps prevent potential loss or theft and promotes a safer environment.
  • Students are expected to care for the tools and facilities provided by UpStudio Africa for learning. Any damages due to misconduct will be communicated to parents, and UpStudio reserves the right to request parents and/or guardians to cover the costs of the damage.
  1. Health and Safety
  • UpStudio strives to create a healthy and safe environment, adhering to OSHA and other global regulations.
  • UpStudio is not liable for injuries, allergic reactions, or any incidents within or beyond the UpStudio Africa space. This includes in-house classes, afterschool programs at school sites, expeditions, or any other programs.
  • UpStudio Africa’s team has received first aid training and certification to ensure we can support children if and when they are in immediate need of medical attention. In emergencies, parents and/or guardians will be called, and students will be transported to the nearest hospital (IST clinic) unless otherwise stated in their application form. UpStudio will not be liable for any costs incurred for the medical services provided at the hospital or medical centre.
  • Unwell children should not attend UpStudio sessions to avoid spreading illness to their peers and facilitators.
  • Parents and/or guardians are required to disclose when students are unwell or have any symptoms related to or similar to COVID-19 or other viral, or communicable infections. These symptoms include fevers, chills, sore throat, a runny nose, irritable eyes, and/or others. UpStudio retains the right to request students to remain at home until they are better. If appropriate notice is provided, as described in the section above, the Cancellation policy will be applied.
  • In the event students exhibit symptoms similar to COVID-19 or a viral infection during a session, students will be asked to wear a mask, and a parent will be contacted. Parents and/or guardians will be requested to pick up their children if they are unwell and exhibit signs of risking the well-being of other students and facilitators.
  1. Child Protection 
  • UpStudio is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all participants, especially children.
  • All individuals working directly with children, including staff and volunteers, are required to undergo comprehensive background checks and specialized training related to child protection.
  • Any suspicion or report of child abuse or neglect inside or outside of UpStudio will be promptly reported to the parent, guardian, school leader, and/or appropriate authorities, as mandated by local laws and regulations.
  • UpStudio will prioritize the child’s safety and well-being throughout any investigation, while also respecting the need for confidentiality.
  • Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to communicate any concerns to the Chief Executive Officer/Founder for appropriate action.
  1. Communication
  • All parents and/or guardians enrolled in any program will be added to a specific WhatsApp group assigned for that particular program.
  • Updates regarding the course will be communicated through the WhatsApp group. This may include learning updates, requests to bring items from home, sharing of photographs and videos from the course, and more. Any student-specific and sensitive information will be shared individually with the parents, not in the group.
  • Parents and/or guardians are requested not to share pictures or videos of students, other than their own children, on their social media. This is to ensure the rights and safety of all children are maintained. However, parents and/or guardians may repost photos and/or videos that have been shared on UpStudio Africa’s website, Instagram, and/or Facebook.
  • At the end of the term, parents and/or guardians will be removed from the program-specific WhatsApp group. Remember to save any information or media shared before the end of the term.
  • Parents and/or guardians will receive email newsletters and promotional materials. All parents and/or guardians will be added to the WhatsApp News Channel for ongoing news and updates from UpStudio.
  1. Growth Assessments
  • UpStudio will provide a growth assessment of a student once the student has completed two consecutive or simultaneous courses at UpStudio. Growth assessments will automatically be provided for students aged 7 years and above. For students under 7 years old, growth assessments can be provided upon request.
  • The student assessment will focus on growth over performance. Students will be assessed on their growth across six core skills: 1) Critical thinking, 2) Communication, 3) Collaboration, 4) Creativity, 5) Confidence, and 6) Compassion. UpStudio will not provide any quantitative assessments of students’ performance or growth across these indicators; assessments will be purely qualitative.
  1. Loyalty and Discounts
  • Parents and/or guardians with multiple children (defined as immediate siblings) taking multiple courses at UpStudio may receive up to a 10% discount on any in-house facilitated programs. The final decision rests with the UpStudio team.
  • Families who have demonstrated loyalty to UpStudio will be enrolled in a loyalty program that will be released later in 2024. The prerequisites for the loyalty program will be disclosed when the program is introduced.
  • Unless explicitly stated, discounts cannot be combined with other offers, promotions, vouchers, or discounts.
  • Discounts cannot be applied to programs that have already started (but not paid for) before the terms and conditions are updated.
  • UpStudio reserves the right to modify or discontinue discounts at its discretion. Any changes will be communicated through our official channels.
  1. Intellectual Property
  • Designs and products created by students are the property of UpStudio and may be used in marketing materials as deemed fit by the UpStudio team.
  • Parents and/or guardians are not permitted to use any materials shared about the courses, lesson updates, and/or curriculum for any personal or professional benefit or use.
  1. Student Internships
  • UpStudio offers internships to UpStudio students above the age of 10 years. Students in the age group are eligible based on specific criteria set out by UpStudio Africa, including completing at least two full courses conducted by UpStudio and/or partners. The full eligibility criteria will be available on the Internships page on our website.
  • Students will be selected based on their application as well as an interview process with the UpStudio Africa team. UpStudio retains the right to deny access to the internship program based on various eligibility criteria as well as core 21st-century skills. 
  • Selected student interns will be required to sign a contract before joining the team.
  • Interns are required to adhere to UpStudio’’s policies, procedures, and code of conduct throughout their internship.
  • Interns will be provided with a clear outline of their responsibilities, tasks, and goals at the beginning of the internship period.
  • UpStudio may terminate an internship at any time for reasons including but not limited to poor performance, violation of policies, or other conduct deemed incompatible with UpStudio’s values and the contract.

    — OPT OUT —
  1. Marketing
  • UpStudio Africa is authorized to use pictures and videos of students, parents, and/or guardians for publications, promotions, and other marketing-related platforms.