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. It supports both home and center based child care providers. Centered on equity, the Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program works to ensure that children across the County— especially those in underserved and low-income communities— have access to safe, high-quality early 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? Home 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 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?
- Licensed child care providers in Montgomery County, MD
- Both family child care (home-based) and child care centers
- Providers with a published Maryland EXCELS rating
- Programs serving areas with a shortage of child care for infants and toddlers (based on The State of Supply and Demand for Childcare in Montgomery County, MD report), or those serving low-income and underserved communities
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
Apply Now
- Start your application 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.
- Applications are available in multiple languages, please let us know if you need an application in a language other than English.
Applications received by December 15, 2025, will be reviewed together as a first batch. We will communicate approval timelines in 2026.
Information Sessions
The information sessions are now available on demand. Watch the recordings to get details about the Montgomery County ECE Facility Loan Program, the application process, and available support.
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. Below is a list of suggested business trainings for this year. Please note, any provider can participate in the trainings below, even if you do not have a loan approved. Every session includes live interpretation.
Please use this form to document the business trainings as you attend them.
Topic |
Description |
Date | Time |
Registration Links |
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Understanding Loan Terms & Forgiveness |
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Nov 19, 2025 |
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Budget and sustainability |
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Dec 10, 2025 |
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Tax management |
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Jan 14, 2026 |
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Time Management and Organization |
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Feb 11, 2026 |
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Grants and funding opportunities (beyond the loan) |
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March 11, 2026 |
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HR and hiring help |
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April 22, 2026 |
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Marketing |
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May 13, 2026 |
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 (licensed Maryland EXCELS providers, home-based or centers, Montgomery County, etc.).
- 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.
- 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 MCLoans4ECE@reinvestment.com.