Privacy Policy

This policy explains what top3elc.com.au collects, why, how long we keep it, and your rights under the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We collect personal information only when you choose to contact us or submit an enquiry, plus standard website analytics. We do not sell your information, and we do not build marketing lists.

1. Who we are

top3elc.com.au is an independent guide to childcare centres across Victoria. We rank the top long day care centres in each suburb using public data: NQS ratings from ACECQA, fees verified through the Starting Blocks government database, and parent reviews.

We are independent. We do not accept payment from any centre to appear in our rankings or to improve a position. In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the team that operates top3elc.com.au.

2. What we collect

Information you give us through an enquiry or tour request. When you submit the enquiry form, we collect the details you enter, which may include:

• Your name, email address, and phone number (phone is optional)
• Your child’s age, your preferred start, and your preferred tour day and time (day and time are optional)
• The centre or centres you select, the suburb, and any optional message or notes you choose to add

Suburb waitlist requests. If your suburb is not yet covered and you ask to be notified, we collect your email address and the suburb you request.

Technical and usage information. Like most websites, our hosting provider records standard server log data when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, and the referring page. When you arrive through a campaign link, the enquiry may also record the referring page and basic campaign parameters.

Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4 to understand, in aggregate, how visitors use the site. This produces anonymised usage data rather than information that identifies you personally.

3. How we use your information

• To respond to your enquiry and arrange a tour at the centre or centres you selected. To do this, we pass the relevant details to that centre on your behalf.
• To contact you about a suburb waitlist request you have made.
• To understand lead volume and how the site is used, in aggregate, so we can improve our guides.

We do not sell your personal information, we do not add you to marketing lists, and we do not share it for advertising. The only centres that receive your enquiry details are the ones you explicitly selected.

4. Service providers we rely on

We use a small number of trusted providers to run the site and deliver your enquiries. They process information on our behalf and only for the purposes described here:

• Email delivery, Resend (resend.com): when you submit an enquiry or waitlist request, Resend transmits it to our inbox so we can act on it.
• Hosting and server logs, Vercel (vercel.com): Vercel hosts the site and records the standard server logs described above.
• Analytics, Google Analytics 4: Google Analytics 4 provides the aggregate usage statistics described above.

These providers process data on our behalf and are likely to handle it outside Australia (most commonly in the United States). We share with them only what is needed to operate the site and respond to you.

5. How long we keep it

We keep enquiry details for up to 12 months to allow for follow-up, then delete them. If you ask us to delete your details sooner, we will.

Analytics data is retained according to Google’s standard retention settings for Google Analytics 4.

6. Cookies and tracking

We use Google Analytics 4 for aggregate, anonymised usage measurement. We do not use advertising or remarketing trackers, and we do not run advertising pixels.

You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings, or use Google’s opt-out tools, without affecting your ability to browse the site or submit an enquiry.

7. Children’s privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children. Our enquiry form is intended to be completed by a parent or guardian about their child’s care needs, not by a child. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Your rights under the Australian Privacy Principles

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you can:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request that we correct or delete your information
• Make a complaint if you are concerned about how we have handled your information

To make any of these requests, email us at the address below. We will respond within a reasonable time. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

9. Contact us

For any privacy question or request, email top3elc@gmail.com. We are a small operator and do not publish a postal address; email is the best way to reach us.