The Faces are Familiar at the Durham Co-op

Elaine "Lainey" Melvin doesn't mind sitting in the miniature chair built for one of her four-year-old students. By the looks of it, there's nowhere else she'd rather be.

For the past 42 years, Melvin has had a hand in teaching hundreds of children at the , a pre-school for 3-and-4-year-olds.

"It's a great place to be and no day is the same," Melvin says.

While each day may seem different to Melvin, many of the faces are not. Every year, parents who attended the nursery and have fond memories of Melvin return with their own children, a testament to her "grow at your own pace" approach.

"I remember it being at the [Epiphany] church and we used to make pizzas in the kitchen with Lainey and I remember rest time," says Kelly Johnson, whose 3-year-old daughter Emma is now enrolled in the program.

"The biggest thing that I took away that I wanted for her was most of the kids that you went to pre-school with you graduated high school with. That's pretty cool," Johnson adds.

Chuck Harmon met his best friend at the pre-school.

"It was a long time ago but I remember Lainey pretty much exactly how she looks now. She's ageless," says Harmon, whose 3-year-old son, Jason, and 4-year-old daughter, Ella, are enrolled in the nursery school.

Next week, the school will hold registration for new and returning students (full details below).

All three of Bridget Poturnicki's children will have followed in her footsteps, including her youngest son, Josh, who will start the 3-year-old program in the fall.

"I remember Lainey teaching us Spanish. Some of the same things she does at their meeting time I can totally go back and remember that stuff," says Poturnicki, who oversees registration for the school which relies heavily on its volunteer parents.

"I tell parents not only do your kids make friends but we make friends."

Poturnicki's daughter Mia, 7, finished the program and her 4-year-old son Luke is currently enrolled.

Melvin, who works three days-a-week, says she has no plans to give up the job.

"I have always loved working with children. I'm totally fascinated by their personalities at this age. It's very interesting watching their development and to see how they grow so much."

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Durham Cooperative Nursery School Registration Info: 

Current, active member registration will be held Tuesday, March 6 from 6-7 p.m.

Alumni registration will be held on Tuesday, March 6 from 7-8 p.m.

Open public registration will held on Wednesday, March 7 from 6-8 p.m.

All registration will take place at the Durham Co-Op Nursery School located in the Durham Village, 16 Main Street Suite 307 (lower level.)  A $30 registration fee, a $100 juice/snack/insurance fee and one month's tuition will be due at the time of enrollment.

The 3-year-old program meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The 4-year-old program meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m. with an option for extended day until 2:30 p.m.

The Durham Co-Op Nursery School is non-discriminatory.  Enrollment is on a first come first served basis.  If you have any questions about enrollment or would like to set up an appointment to visit the school, please call 860-349-9885.