Down Syndrome UK makes flagship education programmes free for all educators on International Children’s Day

On International Children’s Day, and as the government’s SEND reforms leave thousands of families and educators facing uncertainty, Down Syndrome UK is taking practical action – making its Primary Education Programme and Early Years Development Programme free for every educator across the UK from September 2026.

When Natalie Powers, a SENCo at an early years setting in rural England, first joined Down Syndrome UK’s Early Years Development Programme, none of her team had ever worked with a child with Down syndrome. By the time they did, they were ready. One child in their care – non-verbal on arrival – is now saying sounds.

“That child is now saying sounds,” says Natalie Finn-Powers, SENCo.

It is the kind of outcome that changes what a family believes is possible for their child. It is also the kind of outcome that depends almost entirely on whether the adults in a setting have access to the right knowledge and support.

Today, Down Syndrome UK (DSUK) is announcing that its flagship education programmes – the Primary Education Programme (PEP) and Early Years Development Programme (EYDP) – will be free for all educators from September 2026, with pre-registration opening today on International Children’s Day.

A practical response to a sector in uncertainty

The decision to remove the cost barrier comes at a critical moment for SEND provision in England. The government’s Schools White Paper, published in February 2026, has set out significant reforms to the way children with SEND are supported – including proposals to replace some Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) with a new tiered system of Individual Support Plans. The changes are not expected to come into force until 2029 at the earliest, but the uncertainty is already being felt in schools and nurseries.

Down Syndrome UK says making PEP and EYDP free is about ensuring that, whatever the policy landscape, every school team supporting a child with Down syndrome has the knowledge, tools and confidence they need.

“We know the difference that the right support can make for children and young people with Down syndrome. Schools want to do the best for their pupils, but many simply don’t have access to specialist knowledge or support.

“We are incredibly proud to have created these national programmes and even more proud to now be making them free for every school that needs them. This is a major step forward in ensuring every child with Down syndrome has the opportunity to thrive.”

Nicola Enoch, CEO, Down Syndrome UK

What PEP and EYDP offer

Children with Down syndrome have a distinctive and well-researched learning profile – characterised by strong visual learning, good social awareness and long-term memory for meaningful experiences, alongside challenges with verbal working memory, phonological processing and processing speed. Research has demonstrated that these characteristics are consistent and predictable, meaning that educators who understand the profile can prepare proactively rather than simply responding to difficulties as they arise.

PEP and EYDP translate this research into practical training and resources for classroom use. Both programmes are delivered through an online platform and are designed to be flexible – practitioners can dip in and out of content as needed, rather than working through a fixed course.

Each programme includes:

• CPD-accredited recorded training sessions
• Practical resources and information sheets for immediate use
• Ongoing live support from specialists in Down syndrome throughout the year

“I would say to any setting: if you get the opportunity to use [DSUK’s Early Years Development Programme], definitely do.”

Natalie Finn-Powers, SENCo, St Joseph’s Preschool (rural England)

A new platform and a September launch

Educators can pre-register from today at: https://secure.downsyndromeuk.co.uk/sign-up. DSUK will invite pre-registered users to join a new, purpose-built platform when it launches in September 2026 – with full access to all PEP and EYDP content available from that point at no cost.

The move to a new platform is designed to make the programmes easier to navigate, share with colleagues and integrate into everyday school life.

Educators who pre-register will be able to access enhanced transition information and training videos in advance of the school holidays to help prepare them to welcome a child with Down syndrome.

About the SEND context

It is estimated that there are 8,000 settings in the UK supporting around 47,000 children with Down syndrome in the UK from early years to secondary. The majority attend mainstream schools or early years settings, where they are supported by teachers and practitioners who often have little or no specialist training in Down syndrome. Research consistently shows that access to specialist knowledge and practical support has a significant impact on educational outcomes for children with Down syndrome.

The government’s SEND consultation, which closed on 18 May 2026, proposes significant changes to how children with SEND are supported in schools, including a shift toward early intervention and a greater expectation on mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils with SEND without statutory plans. Down Syndrome UK supports the principle of strong, well-resourced early support but has called for clarity on how schools will be equipped to deliver it.

Making PEP and EYDP free is, in part, DSUK’s answer to that question.

Notes to editors

About Down Syndrome UK

Down Syndrome UK (DSUK) is a national charity supporting children and young people with Down syndrome and their families across the United Kingdom. DSUK provides training, information and ongoing support for families, education professionals and healthcare practitioners. The charity’s education programmes – PEP and EYDP – have been developed over more than two years in collaboration with educators and specialists in working with those with Down syndrome.

About DSUK Education Programmes

The Primary Education Programme (PEP) is designed for teachers, teaching assistants and SENCos working with pupils with Down syndrome in primary school settings. The Early Years Development Programme (EYDP) is designed for practitioners in nurseries, preschools, childminder settings and early years provision. Both programmes offer training, information and ongoing support and can be used by SEN or mainstream school settings. Pre-registration opens 1 June 2026 at [pre-reg link]. Full access available from September 2026.

DSUK raised £40,000 last year to develop and launch a Secondary Education Programme (SEP). The first resources of the programme will be launched in September on the same platform alongside EYDP and PEP.

About International Children’s Day

International Children’s Day is marked annually on 1 June. It celebrates children’s rights and promotes the welfare of children worldwide.

About the SEND white paper

The government’s Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, was published on 23 February 2026. It includes significant proposals for reforming SEND provision in England, including the introduction of Individual Support Plans and a new tiered system of support. A consultation on the proposals is open until 18 May 2026. Changes are not expected to come into force before September 2029.