Montgomery County Early Care and Education (ECE) Facility Loan Program
The Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program is an initiative that helps child care providers in Montgomery County, Maryland grow, improve, and serve more families. Centered on equity, the Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program supports both home and center based child care providers to ensure that children across the County, especially those in underserved and low-income communities, have access to safe, high quality learning environments.
What Does the Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program Offer?
The Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program offers two types of loans to help child care providers invest in their facilities:
Forgivable Loans – for Homes and Centers |
0% Interest Loans – for Centers |
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Who can apply? Homes and Centers Max. Amount: up to $74,000* Use of funds: Facility expansion or improvement Note: These loans do not need to be paid back if the borrower meets certain requirements over time. |
Who can apply? Centers only Max. Amount: up to $300,000* Use of funds: Facility expansion or improvement Note: These loans must be repaid, but there is no interest. |
*Maximum amounts vary by provider type and whether the project supports facility improvement or expansion
Who Can Apply?
- Continuously Licensed child care providers in Montgomery County, MD who remain in compliance with the Office of Child Care licensing regulations
- Family child care, large family child care, and child care centers
- Providers with a published Maryland EXCELS rating
- Providers who offer full-time and full-year care
Please note, if you received an award during the last cycle your program is ineligible to receive funding for the same project site.
What Can the Loans Be Used For?
Providers can use the loans for:
- Expanding to create more child care spots
- Renovating or upgrading existing child care spaces to improve quality
- Planning and predevelopment costs (like architect fees and permits)
- Purchasing equipment, furniture, fixtures, and learning materials
Key Application Dates
Forgivable Loan Applicants
- September 1, 2026: Letter of Intent opens.
- September 30, 2026: Letter of Intent deadline.
- October 26, 2026: Applications open for applicants with an approved Letter of Intent.
- November 30, 2026: Application deadline.
- Application statuses will be announced in early 2027.
Zero Percent Interest Loan Applicants
- October 1, 2026: Letter of Intent opens.
- October 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027: Letter of Intent are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until January 31, 2027, or until available funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
- October 26, 2026: Applications open for applicants with an approved Letter of Intent.
- October 26, 2026, to March 1, 2027: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March 1, 2027, or until available funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Please note that any program interested in submitting an application MUST first submit a Letter of Intent by the above deadline.
How to Apply?
Letters of Intent (LOI) Open September 1, 2026, for Forgivable Loans and October 1, 2026, for Zero Percent Interest Loans.
- Start your LOI through Reinvestment Fund’s online application platform, SmartSimple.
- If you do not already have a SmartSimple account, you must create a free account here.
- For instructions on creating an account, please visit here.
- LOI forms and applications are available in multiple languages, please let us know if you need an application in a language other than English.
If you submitted an LOI and application during the last funding cycle and would like a copy, please let us know we are happy to provide you with a copy.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Join one of our upcoming information sessions to get details about the ECE Facility Loan Program, the application process, and available support.
For Forgivable Loans
Virtual Sessions:
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In-Person Session:
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For 0% Interest Loans
Virtual Session:
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Resources to get started
Business Trainings and Forgiveness Requirements
In order to meet the requirements for loan forgiveness each year, a provider must stay open and licensed for a five-year period, as well as complete 12 hours of business training each year.
- Access the Business Trainings recordings, slides, and resources (using this link). Please use the 🌐 to view the live Spanish interpretation on every video.
- Please use this form to document the business trainings as you attend them.
Key Program Terms
- Forgivable Loan: Loan that does not need to be repaid if conditions are met over time.
- 0% Interest Loan: Traditional loan with no interest charges, repayment required.
- Eligibility: Who can apply (continuously licensed child care providers in Montgomery County, MD who remain in compliance with the Office of Child Care licensing regulations).
- Expansion: Adding more space to increase your licensed capacity for children to an existing child care facility.
- Facility Improvement: Renovations or upgrades that make the space safer, healthier, or better for children.
- Pre-Development Costs: Early planning expenses such as architect fees, permits, and zoning approvals before construction begins.
- Contingency: Extra funds in a project budget to cover unexpected costs.
- New Construction: Building a new child care facility.
- Acquisition: Purchasing an existing child care facility.
- Renovation: Upgrading or repairing an existing child care facility.
For more information:
If you have any questions, email Laura Montas-Brown, ECE Program Manager, at laura.montas-brown@reinvestment.com.