Applications are open for primary, infant and junior places in Kent schools, with about 16,000 families expected to apply for a place to start school next September.
Families are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible for a primary school place for their children and not miss the 15 January deadline.
Last year there were more than 500 late applications, which made it more difficult for parents to secure the preferred places.
Every child born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 needs to be registered for a school place, along with those who are moving from Infant school to junior school.
When a child has older brothers or sisters already in school, their family still needs to apply for a school place so they can start at the same school in September 2016.
Roger Gough, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Families have until 15 January 2016 to apply
“Every year a number of people fail to register by the deadline because they believe they need not apply because they have a brother or sister already in school, but they do.
“Their child could miss out on a school place at their preferred school if they do not apply.
“Applying online is easy – more than 94% of all applications are made that way.”
Families can apply for up to three schools, putting them in order of preference. Naming only one school does not guarantee a place at that school or give priority for a place over another child, nor does naming a school more than once.
To apply online visit www.kent.gov.uk/ola
On 16 April, parents and carers who provided email addresses through an online application will find out at which primary school each child has been offered a place. Others will have their offers sent to them by post on the same day.
Kent County Council 30 November 2015