In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Paul Dean, Vice President of Business Development & Real Estate at CEFA Early Years Schools, shares his insights on scaling a mission-driven franchise system in the highly impactful early childhood education sector. With over 25 years of experience, Paul has played a pivotal role in CEFA’s remarkable expansion across Canada and beyond. He discusses the blend of high-quality education and business development that drives CEFA’s success, offering valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable, purpose-led businesses.
Interview By Maheen Bari
Paul Dean, CFE, is Vice President of Business Development & Real Estate at CEFA Early Years Schools, where he supports the growth of one of Canada’s most respected early-education franchise systems across North America.
CEFA is more than 25 years old and now has 50+ schools across Canada, with many more in development. What makes early learning such a scalable franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs, and how does CEFA practically support franchisees from site selection to day-to-day operations?
Early learning is a scalable franchise opportunity because it’s built on consistent, long-term demand. Families don’t cycle in and out of needing childcare and early education, and when parents find a high-quality program they trust, they tend to stay. At the same time, research continues to reinforce how critical the first six years are to lifelong learning and wellbeing. That combination creates a strong and sustainable foundation for growth.
What makes CEFA different is that the work was done long before scaling began. The curriculum, the operating model, and the standards have been refined over more than 25 years. CEFA’s education-first foundation, supported by a proprietary, research-driven curriculum that balances academics, creativity, mindfulness, and physical development, gives entrepreneurs clarity and confidence as they enter the system. That consistency allows franchisees to deliver a premium experience within a proven framework.
From a support perspective, we’re involved from the very beginning. My team works closely with franchisees on site selection and real estate strategy, and that support continues through design, construction licensing, staffing, training, and day-to-day operations. Early learning is highly regulated, and having experienced guidance matters. Our goal is to remove as much friction as possible so franchise partners can focus on running great schools and supporting their communities.
Your career has taken you from banking and franchise finance to Nando’s and now to CEFA. What key lessons from working with global brands and franchise systems shaped the way you approach business development and real estate in the early learning sector today?
My career has given me exposure to franchise systems from multiple angles, and each stage shaped how I think about growth today. Early on, working in banking and franchise finance reinforced the importance of fundamentals – understanding unit economics, managing risk, and making real estate decisions that support long-term sustainability, not just short-term expansion.
At Nando’s, I saw how a global brand can scale successfully without losing its identity. The strongest systems are disciplined about site selection, clear about their values, and intentional about how they grow. That experience reinforced that growth only works when it’s supported by strong systems and a clearly defined purpose.
Those lessons directly inform how I approach business development and real estate at CEFA. I look at growth through both a commercial and a values lens – choosing sites and markets that make sense financially, but also align with the long-term needs of families and communities. We’re not just opening locations; we’re creating environments where families place an enormous amount of trust. That perspective keeps the focus on quality, consistency, and long-term impact – both for franchise partners and for the communities they serve.
CEFA’s schools are locally owned but supported by a national system and proprietary curriculum. How do these centres contribute to job creation, support working families, and strengthen local economies in the communities where they operate?
Each CEFA school is locally owned, which means the impact goes far beyond the classroom. These schools create meaningful, long-term employment for educators, administrators, and support staff within their communities. Early learning centres are people-driven businesses, and that translates into stable job creation in every market where CEFA operates.
The schools also play an important role in supporting working families. Access to reliable, high-quality early education allows parents to fully participate in the workforce, knowing their children are in nurturing, well-structured environments. And that support has a real economic impact at a local level.
What I find especially powerful is how connected many franchisees are to their communities. A number are parents or educators themselves, so there’s a real sense of ownership and accountability. Schools often work with local suppliers and organizations, which helps them become part of the neighbourhood fabric. It’s a model that combines national support with local commitment in a very real way.
You’ve spoken about the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and community building. From your perspective, what attracts purpose-driven entrepreneurs to CEFA, and what mindset do they need to succeed in a premium early learning franchise model?
Most people who are drawn to CEFA are looking for more than just a business. They want to build something that matters – something that contributes to their community and has a positive, lasting impact.
That said, success in a premium early learning franchise requires the right mindset. Franchise partners need to be hands-on, committed to quality, consistency, and long-term thinking. This isn’t a short-term investment or a passive model – it’s a people-focused business that demands care, leadership, and engagement.
The strongest CEFA franchisees embrace the education-first philosophy and see themselves as stewards of the brand. They value strong systems, ongoing learning, and collaboration with the broader network. When franchisees align with CEFA’s values and are willing to invest in both the business and the community, the results are incredibly rewarding – financially and personally.
Looking ahead, as CEFA continues to expand across Canada and beyond, what opportunities do you see for small business owners who want to build a values-driven, scalable business—and what advice would you offer someone considering early learning as their next venture?
Early learning continues to be a strong opportunity because it’s rooted in real need. As workforce participation grows and awareness of early childhood development increases, demand for high-quality education will continue. For small business owners, the opportunity is to build something stable, values-driven, and scalable. CEFA’s growth across Canada reflects years of refining both the educational model and the franchise system.
CEFA’s continued expansion across Canada and North America creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter a mature system with strong brand recognition, refined operations, and decades of educational expertise behind it. The opportunity isn’t just to open a school – it’s to build a long-term asset rooted in community trust.
My advice to anyone considering this space is to go in with open eyes. Make sure you understand the responsibility that comes with early learning, and choose a brand whose values align with your own. Passion for education and children is essential, but so is respect for systems, standards, and long-term planning. When those pieces come together, early learning can be one of the most rewarding businesses you can build.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Our platform is dedicated to fostering dialogue and sharing insights that inspire and empower small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
