Montgomery County Early Care and Education Facility Loan Program Awardee Celebration in Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, MD – Reinvestment Fund celebrated the investments of the Early Care and Education (ECE) Facility Loan Program in Montgomery County, marking a major step toward expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for families across Maryland.
The event highlighted a milestone for the County—strengthening early childhood infrastructure and deepening support for the providers who make that care possible.
In 2024, through its Early Care and Education Initiative, Montgomery County asked Reinvestment Fund’s Policy Solutions team to study the early care and learning landscape across the County. Led by Emily Dowdall and working with a diverse group of stakeholders, the team identified where access was falling short. One finding stood out: the County had enough preschool seats to serve roughly 83% of children ages two to five, but only enough infant and toddler seats for about 19% of children under two.
Reinvestment Fund’s study shaped what became the Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program. Because access to capital has long been one of the steepest barriers for providers, the program was tailored to how their businesses operate and the entire process was available in both English and Spanish. Two features anchor the program: flexible, forgivable financing available to a wide range of providers, and zero-interest financing for larger, center-based projects.
Child care providers are part of the daily support system that so many children and families rely on. Your work creates stability, opportunity, and care in ways that ripple far beyond the walls of your programs.
LaToshia DeVose, Managing Director, Early Childhood Education, Reinvestment Fund
During the program, as she welcomed each provider forward for congratulations and a photo, Reinvestment Fund’s Managing Director of Early Childhood Education, LaToshia DeVose, offered remarks:
“Congratulations to all of tonight’s awardees, and thank you for the vital work you do every day. Thank you, Montgomery County, for your vision and commitment to the early learning sector.
We’re hopeful we’ll be back next year celebrating the completion of these facility projects, alongside a new group of providers funded in the next round.”
The first cohort at a glance:
- More than 100 providers applied
- 19 projects selected: 12 family and large family child care providers, 7 child care centers
- $2.268 million in total support: $868,000 forgivable, $1.4 million zero-interest
- 178 new licensed seats anticipated from expansion projects, concentrated where families most need infant, toddler, and high-quality care
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