Pourato for Early Learning

Pourato for Early Learning

Funding information for early learning providers

Overview

Pourato, the Ministry’s online funding system, will enable early learning service providers to receive funding information from 30 June 2025. This will replace the current PDF funding notices in the Secure Data Portal. Pourato will provide up-to-date funding information and a greater level of transparency between the Ministry and early learning service providers.  

We will be updating this page with information about the launch of Pourato, how it works and details of training, user guidance and other useful information before Pourato goes live on 30 June 2025. 

We will also keep early learning service providers informed through the He Pānui Kōhungahunga | Early Learning Bulletin so that they can prepare and be ready to use Pourato effectively to manage funding for their services.   

Timeline

Here's what you can expect over the next few months:

1

Mid May

Funding contacts will receive an email about Pourato with an invitation to register for online demonstration workshops in June 

2

Mid June

Pourato demonstration workshops for funding contacts will be held online via Microsoft Teams – we’ll cover how to navigate Pourato and access your funding information 

3

30 June

Pourato goes live

4

July

There will be multiple online drop-in sessions for funding contacts to ask questions and get help using Pourato

Key points

  • Pourato will provide up-to-date funding information for early learning service providers.  
  • Pourato will be accessed at any time by service providers through the Education Sector Login (ESL). Once Pourato is launched, service providers will be able to set up additional logins. 
  • There is no change to how service providers currently submit returns to the Ministry and provide child data through their SMS or ELI web. 
  • There is no change in funding payment dates throughout the year. 
  • Pourato is designed to align with standard business and accounting practice, which is that payment information will show the GST-exclusive amount, the GST amount and the GST-inclusive amount.
  • Notification emails will be sent to the funding contact when an RS7 request is received, and before a payment is paid. 
  • The Ministry will be communicating about how to prepare for Pourato and offering training on how to use Pourato before the launch on 30 June 2025. 
  • Some funding information, including teacher information for Waha Rumaki/PITA allowances, will continue to be published on the Secure Data Portal.

Benefits of Pourato

  • list item bullet Access to up-to-date funding information that does not have a six-month expiry like the Secure Data Portal.
  • list item bullet Greater transparency of payment details between the Ministry and early learning services.
  • list item bullet Easy download of funding details as CSV files, to PDF format or direct printing.
  • list item bullet Timely notifications when there is new approved funding to view in Pourato.

Meaning of Pourato

The name Pourato is made from two parts:

Pou - which means to direct, guide or support, and

Rato - meaning to provide, service or distribute

The name reflects the purpose of the system, which is ensuring education providers have all the resources they need, delivered in the most effective way, so they can focus on helping children thrive.