For licensed home-based childcare providers
A childcare business loan: up to $25,000 in 48 hours.
If you have run a licensed home-based childcare business for at least 3 years, we offer up to $25,000 at a fixed rate, with a fast-track process for quicker decisions and funding.
- 9.99%–15.99% fixed
- Up to 60 months
- $0 upfront
The whole deal, upfront
| Loan amount | Up to $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | 9.99%–15.99% fixed |
| Repayment | Up to 60 months |
| Fast-track | Up to $25K in 48 hours |
| Where | Every U.S. state except Vermont |
| Upfront cost | $0 out of pocket |
Fees are included in the loan and only charged if it is approved and disbursed. See every fee.
Am I ready for the childcare loan?
You are ready if you have run a licensed home-based childcare business for at least 3 years and meet the four credit requirements below. The two-minute check walks through the same list.
Licensed for less than 3 years? The Business Term Loan is the right fit.
- A licensed home-based childcare business for at least 3 years
- A FICO score of 575 or higher, or no credit score at all
- No collections, charge-offs, or past-due debt over $3,000Between $3,000 and $10,000? The Get Ready program is built for that.
- Any bankruptcy discharged more than 12 months ago
- No mortgage or rent payment more than 30 days late in the last 12 months
Am I ready?
Five questions, two minutes, no credit check. We compare your answers with the requirements on this page and tell you where you stand, and what to do next.
Your answers are never saved or sent anywhere, and this is not a credit check – it compares your answers with the requirements on this page. If you connect with our team, this page only remembers that you did, on this device.
What can I use the loan for?
You can use the loan for five things, each with its own limit: payroll and day-to-day expenses, licenses and training, equipment and furniture, educational materials and supplies, and renovations. These uses are designed to strengthen quality, safety, and long-term sustainability.
| What you can do | Up to |
|---|---|
| Cover payroll and day-to-day expenses | $10,000 |
| Pay for licenses and professional training | $5,000 |
| Purchase equipment and furniture | $10,000 |
| Buy educational materials and classroom supplies | $5,000 |
| Upgrade or renovate your space | $20,000 |
What does the loan cost?
There is no upfront cost and no out-of-pocket expense. If your loan is approved and disbursed, the fees in this table are included in the loan.
We believe in transparency, so every fee is listed here before you talk to us.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $200 |
| Direct deposit fee | $30 |
| UCC filing fee | $80 |
| Closing fee | 5%3% for California home-based childcare providers |
| Guaranty fee | 2.5%California home-based childcare providers only |
Ready to move up?
Check your readiness in two minutes. If it's a match, a member of our childcare team reaches out to talk through the next steps with you.
Why invest in childcare?
When a home-based childcare business grows, three things happen at once: children get early education, parents can go to work, and a provider earns a living and creates jobs for others. Childcare is one of the most important investments we can make in the future.
Access and affordability are still challenges for families across the country. Investing in the growth and strength of the small businesses who provide childcare is more important than ever.
Read the impact of the childcare programThe impact of supporting home-based childcare providers
Businesses open and thriving. Households safe and secure. Communities growing.
Source: Supporting Childcare Entrepreneurs: The Impact of the Ascendus Childcare Program, Ascendus, April 2025.
- Loans to childcare businesses
- 1,541
- Committed capital
- $22.8M
- Average loan size
- $14,797
- Of loans to providers with limited financial resources
- 67%
What a loan became
Four home-based childcare providers, four kinds of ascension: capital that arrived with a guide, credit built, a household kept secure, more children served.
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Access to capital
Vital repairs made, doors kept open for the families who rely on her
Nadeen DorianSuperstarz Daycare · Santa Clarita, CA
Read Nadeen's storyFrom the first call, Carlos was amazing. He explained everything, kept in touch, made the process incredibly easy.
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Financial health
Credit score up 90 points, more staff, more children served
Ybelia AlmonteDCAG Daycare · Bronx, NY
Read Ybelia's storySince my first loan with Ascendus, I have increased my staff, the number of children I can serve, and raised my credit score by 90 points.
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Economic mobility and resilience
New learning stations, a family of four supported, both sons through school
Reina CotoCatrachitos Family Daycare · Boston, MA
Read Reina's storyBecause of the loan, we could do both – update our business and still support our home.
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Small business development
Capacity from 12 to 14 children
Norma Ayala BarahonaNana's Daycare · Brooklyn, NY
Read Norma's storyI combined the bedroom with the living room, so now I have the capacity for more children. Now they have more space to move and more areas for different activities.
Questions about the childcare loan
Do I need to be licensed for at least 3 years?
Yes. The childcare loan is for home-based providers who have held a childcare license for at least 3 years. If you have been licensed for less than 3 years, the Business Term Loan is the right fit.
Is the loan available in my state?
The childcare loan is available to licensed childcare businesses in every U.S. state except Vermont.
Does it cost anything to get started?
No. There is no upfront cost and no out-of-pocket expense. Fees ($200 application, $30 direct deposit, $80 UCC filing, and a closing fee of 5%, or 3% plus a 2.5% guaranty fee for California home-based providers) are included in the loan and are only charged if the loan is approved and disbursed.
What credit score do I need?
A FICO score of 575 or higher, or no credit score at all. You also need no collections, charge-offs, or past-due debt over $3,000, any bankruptcy discharged more than 12 months ago, and no mortgage or rent payment more than 30 days late in the last 12 months.
What happens after I check my readiness?
If you are ready, you fill out a short form and a member of our childcare team contacts you to talk through the next steps. Nothing you enter in the readiness check is saved or sent anywhere.
More questions? Call (866) 245-0783 or read all loan FAQs. At Ascendus, we make the loan process clear, supportive, and as simple as possible, so you can focus on growing your business.
Important note: loan terms and conditions may change based on program guidelines. We'll confirm final details during the review process.