Our History
Sunshine Academy Learning Center was started by Kenneth Ballard and his family back in August of 2000. Kenneth and his daughter, current director at Sunshine Academy – Diane Yunghans, and family acquired Sunshine Academy with an enrollment of 65 and did all of the bookkeeping and care by hand and heart. Since, Diane, family and staff have worked tiredlessly on behalf of Sunshine Academy, keeping it up, running and in business as a non-profit organziation serving and meeting the needs of children and parents in and around Harvey County, Kansas area.
Over time Sunshine Academy has grown. In the spring of 2002 a lot across the street from our facility came up for sale. We jumped at the opportunity for expansion, moving into a new 10,000 sq. ft. building in September of that year. We now have nine class rooms as well as an office, kitchen and art room. We even have separate play ground areas for 1-3 year olds and 4-12 year olds. Enrollment has reached 135 to 160 children and our staff has grown to between 30 and 35 full and part time teachers, as well as an office staff of 4.
To say the least, we have grown and will continue to grow and provide the affordable and dependable childcare that many have grown to love!
Read more on our purpose!
