Investing in the Future
Childcare Loan Program
CEF has designed a new loan program specifically for the childcare industry with preferred interest rates and terms.
How this program works:
Who Can Apply?
- New or existing childcare business whose facility is located in Colorado
- Small businesses not eligible for financing through a traditional bank
- Childcare business must be at least 80% owner-operated
- Home-based childcare operators are eligible
- Must have proof of proper license to run childcare facility from Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)
Loan Amount & Terms:
- Loans from $10K - $1M
- Terms vary based on use and amount, but include 7 years, 10 years, and up to 25 years amortization with a 5-year balloon.
- Fixed Rate at 3.99% on loans up to $350K.
- Fixed Rate up to 7.99% on loans up to $1 million and used for a business acquisition or commercial real estate purchase.
Loan Uses:
- Working capital
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Lease payments or commercial loan obligations
- Tenant finish or property improvements
- Purchase of a business
- Commercial real estate/facility acquisition
Business Navigation Coaching:
- Business Navigator assigned to help coach you with the business side of running a child care facility.
- Borrower must meet with a Business Navigator prior to loan closing.
- Must agree to meet with Business Navigator in monthly meetings for a minimum of 12 months after loan closing.
- Submit P&L, balance sheet, & bank statement monthly for first year; once per year after that.
- Agree to use a major accounting system such as QuickBooks.
Childcare Resources
One-On-One Consultations
CEF's no-cost, in-house business navigators will help guide you throughout the life or your loan and help your business thrive.
Other Resources:
Artificial Intelligence along with oversight from CEF Business Navigators was used to create several of the resources below.
- County & Municipalities Regulations
- Benefits of County Childcare Councils
- Weekly Classroom Filling/Enrollment Tool
- Marketing Your Childcare Facility
- Childcare Business Plan Template (required at application)
- Planning the Cash Flow of Your Childcare Business(required at application)
Ready to Apply?
CEF is working to change the childcare loan model. You deserve someone who understands that. If you're ready to start or grow your business and expand access to quality childcare, let's talk!
Apply for a Loan
Why Invest in Childcare?
- Childcare is a desperately needed community resource, but can prove to be a challenging business model.
- Create scalable financing solution with backstop guarantees, revolving loan funds, and reduce the overall cost of loan capital.
- Only 6% of CO counties have sufficient childcare for children ages 0-5..
Your investment will:
Help Build a More Productive Workforce
Support Community Needs
Create Jobs & Reduce Poverty
Partners Investing in the Future
CEF is working with multiple organizations to make an impact on the childcare crisis by providing blended finance solutions for sustainability. This includes reducing the cost of capital for the childcare provider and looking at ways to invest in real estate for childcare facilities.
Read a recent report that outlines the biggest challenges in the childcare system: Strong Foundations: Strategies for Child Care Capital and Supply-Building Solutions
THANK YOU to the organizations on the right for partnering with us to create a scalable solution to be utilized throughout Colorado. If you would like to join us as a partner in this impact, please contact us.
