Our Story
What began in 1998 as one school in West Vancouver has grown into a network of 50+ CEFA schools, bringing our approach to early years education to more children, families, and communities.
Natacha Beim Boserup
Our Founder
Natacha Beim Boserup founded CEFA Early Years School with a vision to create a more purposeful school experience for the early years. Drawing on her background in elementary and junior kindergarten teaching, along with international best practices and ongoing research, she opened Canada’s first junior kindergarten school in West Vancouver in 1998. Her approach continues to shape CEFA’s curriculum through creativity, confidence, emotional intelligence, and a love of learning.
Our History
The History of CEFA Early Years School
CEFA’s Origins
By age 22, our founder, Natacha Beim Boserup, had already finalized her curriculum and begun building the plan behind her vision. At 25, she opened the first CEFA school in West Vancouver in June 1998, after personally training each teacher to bring the program to life. From the beginning, the school introduced something different for the early years, with reading, writing, science, math, art, yoga, dance, and other disciplines that were not the norm at traditional daycares.
Curriculum in Progress
As CEFA began to grow, Natacha continued refining the curriculum in the classroom, spending hours with teachers to create even more games and activities to introduce. The curriculum was presented through games and play, bringing structure, creativity, and joyful engagement together in ways that felt meaningful for young children.
Growth By Demand
The first CEFA school was embraced quickly by families. It offered children a holistic program, including reading, writing, science, math, dance, and drama, along with chef-prepared meals and full-day programming. As more families experienced the CEFA difference, demand continued to grow. In 2003, a second CEFA school opened in Burnaby, marking the beginning of CEFA’s expansion into more communities across Canada.
Impact and Expansion
CEFA’s growth has been shaped by the families and communities who believed in the vision from the beginning. What started as one school in West Vancouver has grown into more than 50 schools across Canada, with expansion across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and expansion into the USA. As demand continues to grow, so does our commitment to bringing CEFA to more communities.
Our Methodology
Built for the Years That Matter Most
By age five, nearly 90% of your child’s brain is developed, making these years the ideal time to build strong foundations. Our philosophy blends structured learning with child-led exploration through language, early math, problem solving, the fine arts, and life skills.
CEFA Franchise Opportunities
Partner with CEFA
Bring CEFA to your community through a franchise model built on over 25 years of experience, thoughtful growth, and a shared belief in the importance of the early years.
