1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files a website stores on your device. "Similar technologies" means other ways of storing information on your device, such as your browser's local storage and session storage. In this policy we call them all "cookies".
2. Your choice
UK law (the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations and the UK GDPR) says we must ask before using cookies that aren't strictly necessary. When you first visit Toddle, a banner asks whether you're happy for us to use analytics cookies. Nothing non-essential is set until you choose, and "Reject all" is as easy as "Accept all". Rejecting doesn't stop you using any part of the site.
We remember your choice for 6 months, then ask again. You can change your mind at any time:
You'll also find "Cookie settings" at the bottom of every page. If you withdraw consent, we stop Google Analytics and delete its cookies from your browser.
3. The cookies we use
Strictly necessary (always on)
These are needed for something you've asked for, such as logging in, so they don't need consent.
| Name | Purpose | How long |
|---|---|---|
| tk_consent | Remembers your cookie choice, so we don't ask on every page | 6 months |
| tk_provider_jwt | Keeps nursery and childminder providers logged in to their account | 14 days (30 days if you tick "Remember me") |
| tk_provider_kind | Remembers whether a logged-in account is a nursery or a childminder | Up to 30 days |
Features you choose to use
These are only stored when you use the feature they belong to, and only on your device. They are strictly necessary to provide that feature, so they don't need separate consent.
| Name | Purpose | How long |
|---|---|---|
| tk_geo_coords, tk_geo_label, tk_geo_dismissed (session storage) | If you choose "Use my location", remembers your approximate location for nearby results in this tab | Until you close the tab |
| tk_location_coords:* (session storage) | Remembers the map position of places you've searched, so results load faster | Until you close the tab |
| tk_assistant_chat (session storage) | Keeps your conversation with Doddle, our help assistant, while the tab is open | Until you close the tab |
| tk_support_chat, tk_support_profile (local storage) | If you choose "Talk to a person", keeps your conversation with our team open as you move around the site, and remembers the name and email you gave us | Until you leave the chat (conversations are deleted after 6 months) |
Analytics (only with your consent)
| Name | Purpose | How long |
|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_3L4G5PZS35 | Google Analytics, provided by Google. Counts visits and shows which pages are used, so we can improve the site. Google processes this data on our behalf. | Up to 2 years |
We don't use advertising or marketing cookies, and we don't sell your information.
4. Other services that receive your data
Some pages load content from other services, which can see your IP address when your browser connects to them. They don't set cookies on our behalf:
- OpenStreetMap, for maps on search and nursery pages.
- postcodes.io, to turn a postcode into a map location when you search.
- Google Gemini, which answers questions you type to Doddle (see our Privacy Policy).
5. Controlling cookies in your browser
As well as our cookie settings, most browsers let you see and delete cookies, block third-party cookies, or block all cookies (which may stop parts of the site working, such as logging in). For more information, visit the ICO's guide to cookies.
6. Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. There is no consistent industry standard for how DNT should be handled, so our website currently does not respond to DNT signals. We respect the cookie choices you make through our cookie banner and cookie settings.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookies Policy to reflect changes in technology, our practices or the law. The "Last updated" date above shows when it was most recently revised.
8. Contact and complaints
For questions about cookies or this policy, email support@toddlekids.com. For details on how we handle personal data, see our Privacy Policy. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.