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Early YearsAges 0-2Maths

Free Subtraction Worksheets for Early Years

Practice subtracting numbers. Download free printable maths worksheets designed for Early Years students (ages 0-2), aligned to the UK National Curriculum.

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What Your Child Will Learn

Count back from any number
Subtract a single digit from a number to 20
Find the difference between two amounts
Solve simple subtraction word problems

Sample Subtraction Questions for Early Years

Here are examples of the types of questions your child will practice:

1

8 - 3 = ?

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2

10 - 6 = ?

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3

Emma has 7 sweets. She eats 2. How many sweets does she have left?

mediumshort answer
4

15 - ? = 9

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5

What is the difference between 12 and 5?

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Skills Your Child Will Build

Mental calculation
Number sense
Inverse operations
Problem solving

Real-World Applications

Understanding subtraction helps children in everyday situations:

Working out change
Comparing prices
Time differences
Distance remaining

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Help your child avoid these common subtraction mistakes:

  • !Forgetting to borrow
  • !Subtracting smaller from larger digit
  • !Place value errors
  • !Sign confusion

Learning Progression

After mastering these foundations, students will progress to more complex subtraction skills in Key Stage 2, building on the concepts learned here.

Sample Subtraction Worksheets

1 available

Subtraction Worksheet - Early Years - Intermediate

intermediate
130

Subtraction Worksheet Preview

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Subtraction Worksheet - Early Years - Intermediate

Early Years · intermediate difficulty

Preview

Activity 1: Counting and Subtracting Animals

Count the animals in each group and then imagine what happens if one goes away. How many are left? Write the number in the box.

______
______
______

Activity 2: Subtraction with Shapes

Look at the shapes below. If one shape disappears, how many will be left? Count and write the answer in the box.

______
______
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Tips for Teaching Subtraction

1Teach the link between addition and subtraction early
2Use counters or physical objects to make it concrete
3Practise counting back on a number line
4Encourage estimation before calculating

More Maths Topics for Early Years

AdditionMultiplicationDivisionFractionsDecimalsPercentages

Subtraction for Other Age Groups

Nursery

Ages 3-4

Reception

Ages 4-5

Key Stage 1

Ages 5-7

Key Stage 2

Ages 7-11

Key Stage 3

Ages 11-14

GCSE

Ages 14-16

A-Level

Ages 16-18

Frequently Asked Questions

What subtraction topics are covered in these worksheets?▼
Our subtraction worksheets for Early Years cover all aspects of practice subtracting numbers as required by the UK National Curriculum. Each worksheet is designed to build skills progressively from foundation to challenge level.
Are these subtraction worksheets suitable for Early Years?▼
Yes, these worksheets are specifically designed for Early Years students (ages 0-2). The content difficulty and question types are carefully matched to National Curriculum expectations for this age group.
How can I use these subtraction worksheets effectively?▼
We recommend 15-20 minutes of focused practice per session. Use the worksheets to reinforce concepts taught at school, identify areas needing more practice, and build confidence. Every worksheet includes an answer key for easy self-assessment.
Do the subtraction worksheets include answer keys?▼
Yes, every worksheet comes with a complete answer key on a separate page. This makes it easy for parents to check homework, teachers to mark work, and students to self-assess their understanding.

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