P1 Registration 2026: phases, dates & what parents get wrong.

The short version

The 2026 Primary 1 Registration Exercise is for children born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021, who will start Primary 1 in January 2027. It runs fully online from 30 June to 30 October 2026. You can see your child's eligible phases and schools on the MOE portal from 9am on 30 June 2026.

Breathe. The phases look intimidating, but each one is for a specific group — and most families only ever use a single phase.

Is my child eligible for the 2026 exercise?

Your child registers in the 2026 exercise if they were born between 2 January 2020 and 1 January 2021 (both dates inclusive). They will start Primary 1 in January 2027.

Not sure your little one is ready for big school yet? That's a separate — and very good — question. See our guide to getting your child ready for Primary 1.

The phases and key dates (2026)

Find the first phase your child qualifies for — that is usually the only one you'll use. Registration each day runs 9am to 4:30pm, and every phase is online — no queueing.

Phase	Registration	Results	Who it's for
Phase 1	30 Jun – 2 Jul	8 Jul	Child has a sibling currently studying in the school
Phase 2A	9 – 10 Jul	17 Jul	A parent or sibling is an alumnus; or a parent is on the School Advisory/Management Committee or staff; or the child is from the school's MOE Kindergarten
Phase 2B	20 – 21 Jul	27 Jul	Parent has volunteered at the school (40+ hours); or is a member of the affiliated church/clan; or an active community leader
Phase 2C	28 – 30 Jul	11 Aug	Every child not yet registered can apply here (at least 40 places are kept aside for this phase)
Phase 2C Supplementary	17 – 18 Aug	27 Aug	Children not successful in Phase 2C, registering at a school with vacancies
Phase 3	October	—	International students (non-Citizens, non-PRs)

Dates verified against MOE's official registration phases and key dates page (last updated 29 April 2026). Always confirm on MOE's P1 registration pages before you act.

How balloting and distance actually work

A phase only goes to balloting if there are more applicants than places. When that happens, priority is given in this order:

• Singapore Citizens first, then Permanent Residents.
• Then by home-to-school distance: within 1km, then 1–2km, then beyond 2km.

So for popular schools, living within 1km is a real advantage — but for most schools, every child in the phase gets a place without any balloting at all.

What parents get wrong (the part nobody tells you)

• Thinking you have to queue overnight. You don't — registration has been fully online since 2021. No camping, no chairs at the school gate.
• Leaving Phase 2B volunteering too late. The 40 hours must be clocked the year before registration. You can't decide in July and start volunteering then.
• Putting all your hope on one popular school in Phase 2C. If it's oversubscribed and your child is balloted out, you scramble in 2C Supplementary. Have a realistic backup school within 1–2km in mind from the start.
• Assuming PR equals the same priority as a Citizen. Singapore Citizens are placed ahead of Permanent Residents in every phase.
• Forgetting the address rule. Distance is based on your official residential address, and MOE expects you to stay there for at least 30 months. Don't use a relative's address.
• Panicking about "not getting a spot." Every Singapore Citizen child is guaranteed a place in a school — it may just not be your first choice.

If you don't get your first choice — it's going to be okay

Here's what we've learned in over 20 years of watching children start school: the name on the school gate matters far less than how ready your child feels walking through it. A child who can listen, focus, read simple words and count with confidence will thrive anywhere. One who's anxious and behind will struggle even at a "branded" school.

Frequently asked questions

When is P1 registration in 2026?

The 2026 exercise runs online from 30 June to 30 October 2026. Phase 1 is 30 June–2 July, Phase 2A is 9–10 July, Phase 2B is 20–21 July, Phase 2C is 28–30 July, and Phase 2C Supplementary is 17–18 August. You can view your child's eligible phases on the MOE portal from 9am on 30 June 2026.

Which year will my child start Primary 1?

Children registering in the 2026 exercise (born 2 January 2020 – 1 January 2021) start Primary 1 in January 2027.

Do I need to register if my child has a sibling in the school?

Yes. Phase 1 eligibility doesn't register your child automatically — you still submit the registration during the Phase 1 window (30 June–2 July 2026).

How does distance affect P1 registration?

Distance only matters if a phase is oversubscribed and goes to balloting. Priority then goes to Singapore Citizens within 1km, then 1–2km, then beyond 2km, followed by Permanent Residents in the same bands.

What if my child doesn't get a place in our preferred school?

Every Singapore Citizen child is guaranteed a place in a primary school. If your first choice is full, your child is placed in a nearby school with vacancies — and a strong P1 foundation will serve them well wherever they go.