In 1984, the Grace Lutheran Church Council approved a feasibility study to determine if a Christian Nursery School would be a benefit to preschool aged children in the greater Needham Community. After months of research, the Church Council determined that a preschool would be of great value and would serve as a community outreach program for the Church. In1986, Grace Christian Nursery School (GCNS) opened its doors and served the Needham community until Grace Lutheran Church closed its doors in 2023.

Faced with school closure, Jean Lorence and the current teaching staff recognized the need to continue to offer a nature based preschool program to the greater Needham (and Metrowest) Community. The unique makeup of the school, which provides a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, allows children to explore and learn according to their bodies’ needs. They worked to open their own Non-Profit school to ensure that families from GCNS had a home for the 2023-2024 school year.

GCNS was relaunched as Wonder Garden Inc. in the fall of 2023 and welcomed 26 children to the Charles River Center Campus in Needham. The commitment of the Charles River Center and Wonder Garden Inc to work together is a reflection of our core value: Friends Help Friends.