fbpx
Kaylie McLaughlin
Kaylie McLaughlin
Churches
2 min. read

Former Shawnee Maranatha campus could become daycare

Maranatha Christian Academy used to operate one of its schools out of Cross Points Church off of Lackman Road. Since opening a new facility in western Shawnee, much of its old space has been empty. Now, Vadas Little Lambs Childcare is hoping to make use of it.
Maranatha Christian Academy used to operate one of its schools out of Cross Points Church off of Lackman Road. Since opening a new facility in western Shawnee, much of its old space has been empty. Now, Vada's Little Lambs Childcare is hoping to make use of it. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

A childcare provider is looking to move into a church space formerly occupied by Maranatha Christian Academy at Lackman Road and West 67th Street in Shawnee.

The Shawnee Planning Commission on Monday recommended approval of a special use permit for Vadas Little Lambs Childcare, proposed to operate on part of the Cross Points Church campus at 6826 Lackman Road.

The center will have room for 75-100 kids

  • If ultimately approved, Vadas Little Lambs will serve kids from 6 weeks old up to age 5.
  • Proposed business hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • The childcare facility proposes comprising just under 10,000 square feet of the former Maranatha school and also use the outdoor playground on site.
  • No external renovations or changes are planned, but some internal improvements are expected.
  • There would be 10 employees working for the center, according to its plans.
In the past, Cross Points Church in Shawnee leased out space to Maranatha Christian Academy. Now, it could lease some of the old school part of the building to Vadas Little Lambs Childcare.
In the past, Cross Points Church in Shawnee leased out space to Maranatha Christian Academy. Now, it could lease some of the old school part of the building to Vadas Little Lambs Childcare. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

City staff say childcare is compatible with the area

  • In addition to the church, part of the campus is also used by a Lenexa-based early intervention program called Autism From the Start.
  • Shawnee planner Mark Zielsdorf said there “are not any concerns … of any overlap or issues with parking or facilities.”
  • Commissioner Joe Van Walleghem noted that churches often make good hosts for childcare.
  • Additionally, the planned childcare fits in with the city’s long-term land use goals, which suggest this particular area should be used for community facilities, Zielsdorf told the planning commission.

Planning commissioners voiced support for the proposal

  • The planning commission on Monday unanimously recommended approval of the special use permit.
  • “It’s always great to see, now that Maranatha’s moved out, their facility is going to be used for other things and not just left empty,” said Commissioner David Aber.
  • No one from the public voiced opposition to the project at the meeting.
Autism From the Start operates a small early intervention program in Shawnee on the Cross Points Church campus already. Vadas Little Lambs Childcare may soon be its neighbor.
Autism From the Start operates a small early intervention program in Shawnee on the Cross Points Church campus already. Vadas Little Lambs Childcare may soon be its neighbor. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

Maranatha moved to western Shawnee last year

  • Until last fall, Maranatha Christian Academy leased part of the church as one of two private school facilities, including another at 15000 W. 63rd St.
  • The school purchased land in western Shawnee in 2020 and built a new $25 million stand-alone campus.
  • Classes officially began at the new facility at 7055 Silverheel St. near K-7 and Shawnee Mission Parkway in September 2022.

City council will still need to sign off

  • The Shawnee City Council will consider the special use permit for Vadas Little Lambs on March 27.

Related news: Maranatha Christian Academy unveils new $25M campus in Shawnee

About the author

Kaylie McLaughlin
Kaylie McLaughlin

? Hi! I’m Kaylie McLaughlin, and I cover Overland Park and Olathe for the Johnson County Post.

I grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Mill Valley in 2017. I attended Kansas State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2021. While there, I worked for the K-State Collegian, serving as the editor-in-chief. As a student, I interned for the Wichita Eagle, the Shawnee Mission Post and KSNT in Topeka. I also contributed to the KLC Journal and the Kansas Reflector. Before joining the Post in 2023 as a full-time reporter, I worked for the Olathe Reporter.

Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at kaylie@johnsoncountypost.com.

LATEST HEADLINES

About

Contact info

© Post Publishing Inc 2010-2026
Website by Web Publisher PRO

The Post's copyrighted work may not be used to train large language models or otherwise develop artificial intelligence tools without the express written consent of Post Publishing Inc.