Bernice B Godine JCC Early LRNG Center

Located in Newton, Mass., Gateways: Access to Jewish Education offers a range of programs and services for children with special needs and educational challenges. It also provides professional development and ongoing coaching, consultation/support to teachers and administrators in educational settings throughout the community. The organization consists of special educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, learning specialists, music therapists, psychologists, early intervention specialists, social workers, behavior consultants and more. It serves Jewish day schools, congregational/community supplemental schools, Jewish preschools as well as its own Sunday school, bar/bat mitzvah training class and teen youth group.

HistoryGrace Christian Nursery School was established in 1986 as an outreach program to the community from Grace Lutheran Church. The school has grown into serving over forty local families, In the early 1990's GCNS was the first school in Needham to achieve NAEYC accreditation. The school's director Nancy Gallello is a member of NAEYC, Needham Early Childhood Council and Newton Early childhood Association.SpecialtiesGrace Christian Nursery School provides a loving and stimulating environment for young children ages 2.9 -5. Through play & developmentally appropriate instruction the children are given opportunities to select and use materials constructively. This supports the children in their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Christian attitudes and morals are incorporated through the celebration of holidays and visit from the Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. Teaching children to welcome differences is crucial to achieving harmony among our communities.