Originally reported by Kevin Haas, Rock River Current — February 18, 2026. [Read the full article at Rock River Current →](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/02/new-day-care-and-academy-fills-former-rockford-day-nursery/)
New day care and academy fills former Rockford Day Nursery — Rock River Current — Kevin Haas, February 18, 2026
Rock River Current Facebook: New Day Care and Academy post — Rock River Current on Facebook — shared February 18, 2026
On February 18, 2026, [Rock River Current](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/02/new-day-care-and-academy-fills-former-rockford-day-nursery/) — Rockford's leading independent local news outlet — published a feature story on the opening of Rockford Daycare & Academy. Reporter Kevin Haas profiled the academy and its founders, Bryan and Amanda Amezquita, in a story that quickly became one of the outlet's most-shared articles of the month.
Filling a Community Void
The Rock River Current story centered on what made the opening significant for Rockford's south side: the revival of the former Rockford Day Nursery site at 2323 S. Sixth St. The Rockford Day Nursery, which had served the community since 1917, abruptly closed in November 2024, leaving dozens of families scrambling for childcare with little notice. The building sat vacant for over a year before JPM Rockford purchased it for $675,000 in August 2025 and partnered with Bryan and Amanda Amezquita to launch Rockford Daycare & Academy.
"It was so sad that it closed," Amanda Amezquita told Rock River Current. "The community always needs child care, especially in this area. Providing the child care option while also providing the education piece we feel fills a huge need for our location."
A Philosophy Built in Rockford Classrooms
The article highlighted the founders' deep roots in Rockford education. Both Bryan and Amanda Amezquita are 2013 graduates of Harlem High School and 2017 graduates of Rockford University. Amanda brought 15 years of early childhood education experience from Rockford Public Schools — having taught at Dennis and Beyer elementary schools — directly into the academy's curriculum and hiring philosophy.
"All of our teachers match our philosophy," Amanda Amezquita said. "We intentionally chose teachers who are caring, who are kind, who have education in their background and have the same philosophy of kindergarten readiness — more than just academic. Working on our social and emotional skills are essential to that kindergarten readiness."
What the Academy Offers
Rock River Current detailed the academy's 12 classrooms, five outdoor playgrounds for different age groups, indoor play spaces, and new classroom equipment including books, mini basketball hoops, climbers, and bikes. The Montessori-inspired, nature-based program enrolls children ages 2–5, with a waitlist for eventual infant and toddler expansion.
Where can I read the original Rock River Current article?
The original feature by Kevin Haas is available at rockrivercurrent.com — published February 18, 2026, under Business and Top Stories. Rock River Current is Rockford's leading independent local news publication.
What happened to the former Rockford Day Nursery?
Rockford Day Nursery, founded in 1917, abruptly closed in