Originally reported by Kevin Haas, Rock River Current — April 23, 2026. [Read the full ribbon cutting story at Rock River Current →](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/04/rockford-daycare-academy-cuts-the-ribbon-on-new-preschool-in-rockford/) Also see the [February 2026 opening feature](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/02/new-day-care-and-academy-fills-former-rockford-day-nursery/).
Rockford DayCare & Academy cuts the ribbon on new preschool in Rockford — Rock River Current — Kevin Haas, April 23, 2026 (ribbon cutting)
New day care and academy fills former Rockford Day Nursery — Rock River Current — Kevin Haas, February 18, 2026 (opening feature)
[Rock River Current](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/04/rockford-daycare-academy-cuts-the-ribbon-on-new-preschool-in-rockford/), which [first covered Rockford Daycare & Academy in February 2026](https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/02/new-day-care-and-academy-fills-former-rockford-day-nursery/) at its opening, returned in April to document the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The second story by reporter Kevin Haas provided new details about the academy's growth since opening — including enrollment numbers, staffing, tuition structure, and technology integration — that painted a fuller picture of what the Amezquitas had built in just two months.
Key Details Reported by Rock River Current
The April Rock River Current story revealed that Rockford DayCare & Academy had grown to employ 14 teachers with the capacity to serve approximately 300 children. Tuition was reported at $285 per week for 2-year-olds and $275 per week for 3–5-year-olds, with two meals and a snack included. These rates positioned the academy competitively within the Rockford market, especially given the comprehensive educational programming included.
Brightwheel AI: A Differentiator for Rockford Parents
One of the most significant details in the Rock River Current ribbon-cutting story was the depth of the academy's Brightwheel technology integration. Kevin Haas reported that Rockford DayCare & Academy uses Brightwheel AI to track child development milestones and generate at-home learning recommendations for parents. The platform also handles attendance, billing, lesson planning, and enables real-time messaging between teachers and families — a level of transparency and communication rarely available at traditional daycare centers.
Founders Who Put Their Children Where Their Philosophy Is
Rock River Current highlighted one detail that has resonated strongly with Rockford parents: the Amezquitas' own children — Bryson, 6, and Amaya, 2 — attend the academy. This isn't a marketing point for them; it's a statement of conviction. "We want to make sure that this is a special place for them where they could feel safe, feel loved," Amanda Amezquita told the publication.
The story also confirmed the founders' deep Rockford roots: both Bryan and Amanda Amezquita graduated from Harlem High School in 2013 and Rockford University in 2017, having grown up in the same community they now serve.
Where can I read Rock River Current's ribbon cutting coverage?
The story is avai