ESSEX County Council will not be sending out letters reminding parents to apply for school places next year.

Parents are concerned after reading about the changes on the council's website.

Instead of sending out notification letters, it will be up to parents to check online for when they can apply for school places.

An Essex County Council spokesman said:  "The law does not require councils to write directly to parents about making a school application.

"Latest information about school admissions can be found on our website, which 98% of parents used last year to apply for a school place.

“As always, we will promote school admissions to parents through our usual channels including social media, local press and via schools, who we have already made aware.”

“The primary admission round does not open until 12 November and of course, like always, we will inform pre-schools accordingly before this date."

Chrissie Palmer, who runs St Stephen's Preschool in Newtown, Colchester, said she was not aware of the changes.

She said: "It is now all online and parents have to keep checking to find out.

"It really is significant and could affect so many of next year's children getting a school place."

The message went on council's website in April, but Chrissie said no-one was told about it.

She added: "They have not even informed preschools and nurseries of this. I have requested a template letter from the county council that early years providers could print and distribute to their families as otherwise it'll be chaos.

" I just don't want any child missing out on their school place as their parents were not aware of their new system.

"As I say, us as providers have not been made aware either."

The website says: "It is the responsibility of parents to apply for a school place at the correct times.

"You will not receive any letters from Essex County Council to inform you that you must apply for your child’s school place.

"From November 12, 2018 you can apply online for your child’s primary school place. You must submit an application by the national closing date January 15.

"From September 12 you can apply online for your child’s Year 7 secondary school place.

"You must submit an application by the national closing date October 31."

The council is investing £315million in creating new school places, with £75 million of this being spent on completing new schools and expansion projects in time for the start of the 2018/19 academic year.

A total of 2,325 primary places and 1,110 secondary places have been created across several sites in Essex.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Councillor responsible for education, said: “We have a very strong track record in investing in school places across the county which is the reason why, year-on-year, we are able to offer so many parents their top preference of school for their child.

“Each project completed this year has been carefully selected and with the demand for places only set to continue moving forward, we are working hard to ensure we are prepared to meet it, particularly in rapidly growing areas such as Colchester.

“I am delighted we are able to welcome so many pupils back to new and improved school facilities this year and would like to thank everyone involved in planning and delivering these projects - I look forward to continuing our work in the future.”