Four schools had more than half their places filled when the first phase of the Primary 1 registration exercise ended yesterday - four fewer schools than last year.
Phase 1 is for children whose siblings are currently studying in their primary school of choice.
Henry Park Primary School had 158 out of 300 spots taken up, and and Nanyang Primary School had 197 places filled out of 390. Both schools are located in Bukit Timah.
Horizon Primary School in Punggol and Chua Chu Kang Primary School were also well sought after. They had 108 and 109 children signing up respectively for 210 places.
There are fewer Primary 1 vacancies in primary schools next year - 39,790 compared to 41,860 this year.
Based on figures from the Department of Statistics Singapore, the number of babies born in 2010 - who are entering primary school next year - was 37,967.
In comparison, there were more than 39,000 babies born in each of the three years before that.
Not having to ballot thanks to Phase 1 of the registration exercise has been a relief for many parents.
Administrative executive Huang Shufen's younger daughter will join her elder sister at Holy Innocents' Primary School in Hougang next year.
"It's a bit inconvenient because next year the school is moving to a temporary site in Ang Mo Kio and the girls will be in separate sessions," said Mrs Huang, 33. "But it'll be good for them to be in the same school, and at least we don't have to go through balloting again."
Housewife Sabrina Goh, 39, whose six-year-old daughter will join her elder sister who is now in Primary 3 at Singapore Chinese Girls' School next year, said: "This time round, there is no stress. My eldest daughter just brought back the registration form last term for us to apply.
"We had to ballot for my eldest one three years ago in Phase 2C and it was very stressful."
She hopes to send her youngest daughter, who is now four years old, to the same school.
"My daughter is very happy with her friends, the school, her teachers... they have a lot of activities, it's not just about studies," said Madam Goh.
Housewife Nur Fadhillah, 34, who registered her younger son at Punggol View Primary School, said: "We live nearby so we save on transport costs. It's also quite a good school, and my elder boy in Primary 3 is doing okay in his studies."
Mrs Frances Tan's daughter will be going to Henry Park Primary School, where her brother is currently in Primary 2.
Said the 39-year-old freelance writer: "Our past impressions were that Henry Park was very academically-focused. (But) the principal emphasises character- building too."
The next registration stage, Phase 2A(1), which starts on Tuesday, is for children whose parents have joined the school's alumni association for at least a year.
