DS went to FDC at 8 months cause i had to go back to work p/t. for me that was the better choice than daycare centre as he was the only child under 1 and there were only 4 other kids there. He will stay there until he goes to pre-school for the 2 years before he starts school as that will help him adjust to school and socialise in a large group of children his own age.
If you are going out and mixing with other kids then he should be fine being minded by himself until at least 2 or 3 IMHO.