Early years assessment for kindergartens and preschools
Know exactly what each child needs next
Profile every child across all seven areas in minutes. Get next steps written by early years specialists. Share progress with parents, from 12 months to age 6.
UCL“Arc Pathway has a significant positive effect on teacher competence”University College London study (2025)Watch a quick product tourChosen by nurseries and schools around the world
The whole child, at a glance
Every child's development in one clear picture
Each arc shows where a child is in an area of learning, in small steps from 12 months to age 6. Next steps are ready to use.
Illustration of a child's profile in Arc Pathway.
What only Arc does
Built to tell you what each child needs
See the whole child
A sensitive profile across seven areas, including wellbeing, shown as simple arcs. Minutes per child.
Know what to do next
Personalised next steps and support plans for every child, written by early years specialists. You're never starting from a blank page.
Evidence you can trust
Researchers at UCL found teachers using Arc were significantly better at assessing and supporting development than non-users, even allowing for experience and qualifications.
Read the studyEverything in one place
Everything a learning journal does. And the part it can't.
Arc does all the day-to-day recording you rely on now, then adds what no learning journal can: a clear view of what each child needs next.
Everything you'd expect
All included in your Arc subscription
Only with Arc
What turns your records into next steps
In their words
What early years leaders say
Keeping wellbeing at the core, you're really speaking our language. We've looked at other assessment platforms but you have really raised the bar. We feel like the children are wrapped in a pastoral bubble.
I particularly like how friendly the system is, and very simple to use. The next steps section is also extremely useful.
Really valuable and in my view perfect for any early years setting.
Already using another system?
Switching is easier than you think
We train your team
By video call, at a time that suits you.
We set up your site
Send us a few details about your setting and we do the rest.
You add your children
Upload your whole cohort in minutes with bulk upload.
You can be up and running in a few hours. Training and support are free and unlimited.
Simple pricing
One subscription. Everything included.
- Priced per child, per year
- No set-up fees
- Unlimited staff and parents
- Training and support included
- Discounts for school groups
We'll give you an exact quote after the demo.
Your demo
What happens in your 20-minute demo
- 20 minutes on Microsoft Teams, in your time zone
- See a real child's profile, next steps and reports
- Bring colleagues if you like
- No obligation
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Which early years curriculum does it follow?
Arc Pathway is aligned to the EYFS and adapts to other early years frameworks. It is used by kindergartens, preschools and international schools in more than 27 countries, and covers children from 12 months to age 6.
Does it work for children learning English as an additional language?
Yes. Arc profiles every child across seven areas of development, including communication and language, and assesses each child from their own starting point. Next steps are written for the individual child rather than the class, so it suits children from mixed language backgrounds.
Can it help evidence our provision for inspection?
Yes. Assessment profiles, learning journals, individual reports and cohort data give leaders a clear record of how children are assessed, how needs are identified and how provision responds. Schools use this when preparing for inspection and accreditation.
How does it support the move to primary school?
Arc covers children from 12 months to age 6. Milestones towards the end of the early years use smaller steps, so each child's record carries on from preschool into the first year of primary school without switching systems or losing history.
Need a bit longer?
Our demos last 20 minutes. If you'd like more time, send us an email at info@arcpathway.com and we'll arrange a longer meeting.
What happens after the demo?
We can send you a quote, and give you access to a demo site so you and your team can explore Arc Pathway in your own time. No pressure and no hard sell.
How is it priced?
Per child, per year. No set-up fees, no charge for staff or parents, and training and support are included. We'll give you an exact quote after the demo.
Do we still need a separate learning journal?
No. Arc Pathway includes a full learning journal, with observations, photos, videos and parent sharing, so everything is in one place.
How hard is it to switch?
We train your team, set up your site and help you upload your cohort. We can set you up in just a few hours.
Is our data safe?
Your data is stored in the UK, in Microsoft Azure UK data centres, with backups also kept in the UK. We can send our terms and data protection documents to your data protection lead.
Can we use Zoom or Google Meet instead?
Yes. We run demos on Microsoft Teams, but we're happy to use whatever works best for your setting. Just let us know when you book.
What is holistic assessment in early childhood?
Holistic assessment looks at the whole child: their wellbeing, social development, physical growth and learning, rather than academic milestones alone. How a child feels has a direct impact on how they learn, so meaningful assessment should reflect every area of development.
What are personalised next steps?
Specific, practical suggestions for supporting an individual child, based on where they are now, rather than generic activities or the next item on a checklist. Arc Pathway writes them for every child, drawing on guidance from early years specialists.
Ready when you are
See how Arc Pathway could work for you
Just 20 minutes on Microsoft Teams, at a time that suits you. No obligation.
Book a 20-minute demo