The Vermont Community Loan Fund believes that early education provides an essential foundation for our children's growth and development.

We also understand that a parent's ability to find quality care is an essential piece of their ability to find and hold onto the job that supports their growing family.

Quality facilities are a key component of quality child care, so we provide loans and technical assistance for private, nonprofit, home- and center-based child care providers in Vermont. We are especially interested in child care programs that serve infants and toddlers, children from low- and moderate-income households and children with special needs.

Basic Eligibility

VCLF makes loans to Vermont child care programs that:

• Operate under the regulations of the Vermont Child Care Licensing Division
• Are licensed centers and registered and licensed homes
• Are center-based and home-based programs that are in the process of becoming licensed or registered

Acceptable Uses

• Improvements to meet Vermont Core Standards
• State regulatory requirements
• Improvements to meet ADA accessibility standards
• Renovations or additions to improve programs or increase capacity
• Purchase of equipment and materials to improve quality of service

Rates and Terms

• The current interest rate is 7%.
• Terms range from several months up to 30 years.
• Term, rate and repayment schedule is project specific and based on project need and strength of proposal.
• There is an application fee of $25.  An origination fee totaling 1% of the total loan amount and a loan documentation fee of $125 are due upon closing.  Expenses incurred for the recording of collateral documentation and anticipated discharges of such documentation are also due at closing.

Collateral

• Collateral is required on fixed assets, inventory and receivables. VCLF may also require security in the form of personal guarantees, collateral on personal assets or a cosigner.

Maximum Loan Amount

• The current maximum loan amount will not exceed $350,000.

How to Apply

Please contact Maria Lamberti, Loan Coordinator for Child Care Programs, at (802) 224-9141, or by email, for more information.

You may download information and pre-application sheets:

• Licensed child care centers
• Registered family child care

Important Links for Child Care Providers

• Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division (CDD)
• Vermont Department for Children and Families, Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS)
• Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety
• Child & Adult Care Food Programs
• Public Preschool Partnerships