Families have just a few days left to apply for their child's primary school place.

Children starting reception in the autumn, or those moving from an infant to a junior school, must have submitted the application for their preferred schools by Sunday if they live in Medway - or by Monday night for families in Kent.

The majority of children start school for the very first time in the September that follows their fourth birthday - meaning that they'll turn five during their first full year at school.

All children must be in full time education by the time they reach 'compulsory school age, says the government, which is either December 31, March 31 or the August 31 following their fifth birthday - whichever date were to come first.

In Kent

In Kent, primary school applications are entered via Kent County Council's website and applications will close at midnight on Monday evening (January 16).

Families can name up to three schools on the online form, listing them in order of preference but the same school must not be named more than once and naming only one school will not guarantee a child a place there or give you priority over another family because you've no other choices listed. The council recommends that parents fill in all the gaps on the form and choose three schools even if they hope to be given one particular setting.

Households applying for a school outside of Kent should name it in their application along with other preferences and the details will be passed by staff onto the relevant local authority for processing. And places must still be requested, and a form submitted, even if the school you'd like to send a child to is attached to their current nursery or even infant school - for those preparing to transfer their child from Year 2 to Year 3.

Applications, say KCC, will then be processed between January 17 and April 16.

Those with youngsters known as summer born children - born between April 1 and August 31 - who may wish to delay their child starting school can find more information about that process and the options available to them here.

In Medway

Families living in Medway can make their applications to Medway Council via it's internet-based Parent Portal.

Parents or carers can name both Medway and non-Medway schools on the application and apply for up to six schools in order of preference.

Those who choose to list fewer than six schools, says the council, will not improve their chances of getting their chosen setting by naming just one.

There is additional information also available here for those with children born in the summer, who may be considering delaying their child's start to Reception while families applying for junior school places must still do so, says the local authority, even if transferring from a Medway infant school to a Medway junior school this September.

Offer day

Offers will be sent to all parents across the country on Monday, April 17.

Families in Kent who provided an email address on their application will get the results via email after 4pm with details of the school they've been offered. You will also be able to log into your online account after 5pm to retrieve your allocation.

Medway residents will also get an email after 4pm while those who chose to submit a paper application will have their school decision posted on Monday, April 17 and so will receive it after this date.