First Day of School - AUG 13, 2025 Last Day of School MAY 22, 2026

AUG 13: First Day of School SEP 1: Labor Day OCT 10-13: Staff Development NOV 24-28: Thanksgiving Break DEC22-JAN2: Christmas Break JAN 19: MLK Day FEB 9: Staff Break FEB 16: President's Day MAR 9-13: Spring Break Staff APR 3-6: Break APR 24: Battle of Flowers MAY 22: Last Day of School

Our program is designed for children between ages 3-6 years old. Children must be 3-years-old by September 1st of the school year.

Children need to be close or completely being potty independent before enrolling into our program. (This policy will be assesed case by case)

We are an in-home program, which means we are not an allergen-free facility. Snacks provided may include, come in contact with, or be prepared on surfaces exposed to common allergens, including wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. We are also home to a cat who will remain upstairs during the program, but any serious cat allergies should be carefully considered. We are currently unable to accommodate any severe allergies or dietary restrictions to the following foods in our early childhood program: wheat, gluten, dairy, and eggs. Other minor allergies or dietary restrictions may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Please list any concerns regarding dietary restrictions in your final application. If an accommodation is made, an additional fee of up to $25/month may be applied to cover the extra time and potential costs required.

In the event of sickness or emergency within the our family or staff, we will reserve the right to take up to 4 “sick day” closures with no reimbursement. Any additional closures will incur a daily tuition credit rate of $20 per day, credited to your Brightwheel account.

Learning Casita will refer to the Southside Independent School District for guidelines on closure due to inclement weather, but ultimately, we will make our own decision on inclement weather closures. Snow and weather closures are non-refundable and will not incur a tuition credit.

In order to attend, your child must be: Free of any fever for 24-hours Free of any vomiting for 24-hours If your child is exhibiting any symptoms (runny nose, cough, sneezing, etc.) Please alert us to discuss severity to determine if your child is well enough to attend program that day. Please use your own discretion, while being respectful to limit the spread of germs to our household and the rest of the children in class. We use a natural vinegar-based cleaner to clean and sanitize all hard surfaces.

Drop-off: 9:00am - 9:30am Pickup: PART TIME: 12:00pm - 12:30pm FULLTIME: 2:30pm - 3:00pm Pickup and Drop off windows will be 30-minutes at the beginning and end of program start and end time. Doors will be closed until 9:00am and will close again after 3:00pm. Sign in & Sign out for your child will be managed through Brightwheel.

Our approach to education blends Montessori principles with the enriching experiences of outdoor learning. We nurture children's natural curiosity and independence through hands-on activities in both classroom and nature settings. Our students develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills while exploring the natural world, fostering a deep connection with the environment. This holistic approach encourages lifelong learning, creativity, and a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings.

We operate from a Christian home and worldview. While we won't teach Christian doctrine or biblical stories in our curriculum, our faith will be evident in the songs and stories we share, the blessings we say before snacks, and our reverence for God, who we believe created the Earth and the children in our care.

We will be celebrating Christian holidays as part of our program, including Christmas and Easter. In our classroom, we do not focus on the events or symbolism associated with each holiday. Instead, we emphasize the food, crafts, traditions, and the broader themes these celebrations represent, such as generosity, love and courage.

We do not expect or require all families enrolled to be practicing Christians, or to share our beliefs, however we do require an acknowledgment of the beliefs that we hold, and an agreement to respect our freedom to practice those beliefs within our own home and in own program.