New Family Information

We are saving trees! To help care for our planet Tierra (Earth), we've created this page where families can access important information about The Pineapple School, including downloadable forms if you ever need an extra copy.

Family handbook

Please review the Family Handbook carefully. If you have any questions about our policies, we're happy to help. Acknowledgment of receipt and understanding is required for enrollment.

OVERVIEW OF KEY FAMILY HANDBOOK POLICIES:

  • Arrival: Children may arrive at any time during operating hours; however, we strongly encourage arrival by 8:30 a.m., when Instruction Time begins. Consistent arrival supports routines, smooth transitions, participation in morning learning, and kindergarten readiness while minimizing classroom disruptions.

  • Daily Communication: Teachers use Brightwheel to share daily reports and classroom updates. Families are encouraged to use the app to communicate with teachers.

  • Uniforms & Dress Code: Children in Early Preschool, Preschool, and Pre-K wear The Pineapple School uniform during the academic school year. Royal blue polo shirts (required) and khaki jumpers (optional for girls) must be purchased through Lands' End. Khaki pants, shorts, skorts, or skirts may be purchased from any retailer. Uniforms are not required during the summer.

  • For safety, children over six months of age must wear closed-toe, well-fitting shoes. Children should also be dressed appropriately for the weather, as outdoor play is part of the daily schedule except during extreme weather conditions.

  • Meals: Nutritious meals and snacks are provided for children eating table food. Our Pineapple School Menu features traditional Latin American favorites such as arroz con pollo, picadillo, and caldo con albóndigas. Outside food and beverages are not permitted except in approved circumstances.

    Parents of infants who are not yet eating table food must provide food from home, written feeding instructions (updated every 30 days), and any milk other than whole milk. See the Infant Feeding Plan below.

  • Child Assessments: Teachers regularly assess each child's development to individualize instruction and monitor progress. Families receive progress reports and conferences and are encouraged to share observations from home.

  • Illness: Our health policies follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics to help prevent the spread of illness. Please refer to the Family Handbook for our complete illness exclusion and medication policies.

  • Biting: Biting is a common toddler behavior. Our focus is on identifying the cause and preventing future incidents through positive, age-appropriate guidance. If a bite occurs, we provide immediate care, notify the parents of both children the same day while maintaining confidentiality, and complete an Incident Report. If biting becomes a recurring concern, a written support plan will be developed.

  • Challenging Behaviors: Challenging behaviors are a normal part of early childhood development, and our teachers use positive strategies to prevent and manage them. If persistent behaviors affect learning or safety, we will partner with families to develop a written support plan, set goals, and monitor progress.

  • Termination of Enrollment: The Pineapple School reserves the right to discontinue enrollment if a family fails to comply with school policies, payment obligations, or standards of respectful conduct, or if the School is unable to safely meet a child's behavioral, medical, or developmental needs.

  • Withdrawal: Written notice must be provided to the Director at least four weeks before withdrawal. Tuition for the notice period is required if adequate notice is not given.

  • Technology Use: To promote safety and meaningful interactions, please refrain from talking or texting on cell phones while on school premises.

the role of families

Families are valued partners in our school community. We encourage participation through volunteering, sharing talents, supporting events, donating materials, and reinforcing learning at home. Your involvement in celebrations such as Rodeo, Carnaval Calaca, and Fiestas Navideñas enriches children's understanding of culture, traditions, values, and community.

School calendar

Our school year is filled with unique events and traditions that make The Pineapple School special. Use the 2026-27 School Calendar to stay informed about important dates, holidays, staff development closures, and special events so your family doesn't miss a thing. You can view last year’s calendar here: 2025-26 School Calendar

tuition & fees

The Tuition & Fees document outlines current tuition rates by age group, along with enrollment fees, sibling discounts, and vacation credits. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

parent overviews

We've created Parent Overviews for each of our youngest age groups with information specific to your child's classroom, including curriculum, meals, nap schedules, what to bring each day, and more. Use the links below to view the appropriate Parent Overview.

Parent Overview – Infants (0-12 months)

Parent Overview – Tots (12-18 months)

Parent Overview – Toddlers (18-24 months)

Parent Overview – Tykes (2 – 3 years)  

Parent Overview – Early Preschool (2 ½ - 3 ½ years)

We do not have Parent Overviews for our Preschool and Pre-K age groups; however, we do hold Open Houses for these age groups in September.

Safe Sleep Policy

Our Safe Sleep Policy, which applies to infants 12 months old and younger, outlines sleep requirements and restrictions, sleep positioning, and crib requirements.

storage & administration of breast Milk

It is our goal to maintain the quality and safety of our mommies’ breastmilk, and we have developed these Storage & Administration of Breast Milk guidelines for handling and storing breastmilk.

discipline & guidance

Please review this Discipline & Guidance sub-chapter of the Minimum Standards policy and acknowledge receipt on the Enrollment Form.

texas rising star

The Pineapple School is proud to be part of Texas Rising Star, a voluntary quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs that recognizes schools meeting standards above and beyond Texas minimum licensing requirements. Programs are evaluated in areas such as teacher-child interactions, family engagement, staff qualifications, and the learning environment. We are committed to continuous improvement and to providing the highest quality care, education, and experience for every child and family we serve.

parent resources

As part of our commitment to Texas Rising Star quality standards, our Reception Area includes Developmental milestone checklists from the CDC as well as printed resources highlighting family support services and community activities available to families.

Child Care Services (CCS)

If your family participates in the CCS program or is interested in learning more about eligibility, our administrative team is happy to answer questions, provide guidance, and connect you with available community resources.

New Student Checklist

Use this New Student Checklist make sure you're ready for your child's first day at The Pineapple School. The second page also includes tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.

Forms

Healthcare Professional’s Statement Within one month of your child starting at The Pineapple School, a signed statement of the child’s health from a healthcare professional is required. Your pediatrician may have his/her own form, or this form may be used.

Medication Authorization Form Please use this form when your child requires medication to be administered by a member of The Pineapple School staff. (Use this version if you would like to complete the form (except for signatures) on your computer before printing.)

Food Allergy Emergency Plan The State of Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers requires a written Food Allergy Emergency Plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy, which identifies the food/s the child is allergic to, potential symptoms associated with exposure to the food/s, and actions to take if these symptoms occur. This plan must be signed and dated by a health care professional AND a parent.

Diet Restriction Form If your child requires a special diet due to a health condition, parents must fill out the Diet Restriction Form and provide a written note from the child's health care professional or a licensed/registered dietitian addressing this issue. Parents are responsible for providing the child's meals and snacks or suitable substitutions in cases of only specific foods to be eliminated.

Infant Feeding Plan To guide us in feeding your baby according to your preferences, we ask parents of infants (<18 months of age) to complete a “Feeding Plan”. This Feeding Plan must be updated at the beginning of each month, and of course, any time there is a change in your baby’s feeding plan.

Automatic Tuition Payment Enrollment  This form, which is to enroll in our automatic and secure tuition payment service, is included in our online enrollment packet. If you would like to change your account information, please complete this form and submit it to the Front Desk. Please note that tuition must be paid using this service.