Eight schools had more than half their places filled when the first phase of the Primary 1 (P1) registration exercise ended yesterday - double the number of schools last year.

The P1 registration exercise consists of seven phases. Phase 1 is for children whose siblings are currently studying in their primary school of choice.

Nanyang Primary School in Bukit Timah had 203 out of 390 spots taken up, while Concord Primary School in Chua Chu Kang had 109 out of 210 places taken up.

Two schools in Jurong West - Jurong West Primary and Xingnan Primary - were also well sought after. They had 111 and 94 children signing up for 210 and 180 places respectively.

In Pasir Ris, Casuarina Primary and White Sands Primary, each with 180 places available, had 95 and 99 children registered respectively.

Sengkang Green Primary had 121 out of 240 places filled, while Junyuan Primary in Tampines had 99 out of 180 spots taken up.

There are fewer Primary 1 vacancies in schools next year - 39,250 compared with 39,790 this year.

Babies born in 2011 would be entering primary school next year, and based on figures from the Department of Statistics, that should amount to 39,654 pupils.

This is an increase from the 37,967 babies born in 2010.

Parents such as polytechnic lecturer Wendy Ang, 39, were glad that they were able to register their children for Primary 1 at an earlier stage, without having to ballot.

While her Primary 2 son got into Rosyth School in the third phase of the P1 registration exercise - Phase 2A(2) - two years ago, Madam Ang's daughter could register via the earlier Phase 1 stage.

"We are already familiar and comfortable with how the school works, so we don't have to go through the trouble of looking for another school," said Madam Ang.

Tutor Vanessa Teo's son will join his older sister at South View Primary School in Chua Chu Kang next year.

"It's near my father-in-law's house, so the children are comfortable with the environment around the school," said Madam Teo, 38.

"I also realised that the school has good programmes and teachers after my daughter joined the school."

The next registration stage, Phase 2A(1), which starts next Wednesday, is for children whose parents have joined the school's alumni association for at least a year, or whose parents are members of the school advisory or management committee.

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