In January this year, 88 per cent of three-year-olds were benefiting from the entitlement, a two per cent drop on figures recorded last year.
In maintained nurseries and primary schools in January, 36 per cent of three-year-olds took up the entitlement, compared to 37 per cent last year.
In the private- and voluntary-run sector there was a drop from 53 per cent last year to 52 per cent in January this year.
A spokeswoman for the Daycare Trust said: "The recession is a factor. This has affected how many hours people work and whether they are working at all. Because parents are at home more, some may be using nurseries less for childcare.
"Having 88 per cent take-up rate though is still very high and we would urge those who are not taking advantage of this to do so as it really benefits the children."
The latest figures show that the proportion of parents of four-year-olds taking up their entitlement remained steady, at 98 per cent between 2009 and January this year.
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