EXPERTS from across the country have converged on Bradford to talk about the crucial early years of a child's life.

Last year, official figures showed that just 31 per cent of the city's poorest children – and 47 per cent from wealthier backgrounds – are ‘school ready’ at the age of five.

Children often struggled to use the toilet, get their coat on, or say simple words like 'no', it was revealed.

Now a two-day conference in the city is showing just how important a child's early years are to his or her development, not just through childhood but also into adulthood.

The event at the Midland Hotel, which began yesterday and continues today, is being organised by the Early Communication Partnership.

Around 250 people who work with under-threes in Bradford, from those employed in nurseries and children's centres to health visitors, are expected to attend.

One of yesterday's speakers was Imran Hafeez, manager of the Bradford Literacy Hub.

Mr Hafeez spoke about his work raising the literacy levels of those in greatest need, as well as the importance of engaging male carers in particular in a child's development.

Another of the speakers was Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, of the University of Dundee, who carried out a study into baby buggies.

The study found that parents were more than twice as likely to talk to their child if they used a buggy that faced backwards, allowing more face-to-face contact.

Speaking to the T&A, Dr Zeedyk said it was unusual to have a two-day conference into early-years development, as many held around the country only looked at the topic for a day.

She said: "It's also unusual to have a man speaking. It's even unusual to have men in the audience.

"All men are suspected paedophiles - that's what we think now. So men are scared now to engage with children. That's not good for society."

Mr Hafeez said having a positive male role model was "absolutely vital" for a child's development.

He said: "Schools and children's centres are increasingly aware of that."

Another speaker was Sarah Mears, chairman of the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians.

She spoke about the importance that libraries play in baby and toddler development.

She told the audience: "Bradford Libraries have a very full early-year offer, including delivering the Bookstart offer and the Bradford libraries rhyme challenge, teddy bears' picnics in the summer, story times and rhyme time."

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive member for children’s services at Bradford Council, who was at the conference, said: "It is incredibly positive to see key speakers in the field of early years sharing skills, knowledge and emerging scientific discoveries across the Bradford district."