MORE than 21,000 applications have already been submitted for pre-school and primary school places.
The admissions process began on Monday.
Around 40,000 applications are expected with the online application process closing on January 28.
Parents of children born on or between 2 July 2017 and 1 July 2018 can apply for primary one place.
Applications also being accepted for children born on or between 2 July 2018 and 1 July 2019 for a funded pre-school place in a nursery school or nursery unit in a primary school or a voluntary/private playgroup participating in the pre-school education programme.
Parents of children born on or between 2 July 2019 and 1 July 2020 can also apply for a funded pre-school place, but only in a nursery school or unit in a primary school and can only be admitted after target age children are admitted and funded places remain.
Peter Canavan from the Education Authority said: "We want to stress that the admissions process does not operate on a first come first served basis.
"Pre-schools/schools do not begin to look at applications until after the application process closes at noon on 28 January 2022, so parents have time on their side when it comes to making their application."
