Hi Dee
My lo was about 12 months old when we made his cot into a bed and he loved it. We put a baby gate on his bedroom door so if he got up he couldn't get out of his room cause he was walking at 11 months, and he was able to get on and off the bed ok on his own. He is 27 months now and has been in a full size single bed since he was 18 months and he thinks it's great; he has Bob The Builder and Cars bedding and he feels really grown up. Harrison only fell out of his bed twice but I had put an old duvet on the floor next to his bed, so he has never even had the guard on the side as I was worried he tried leaning on it and it gave way.
I was worried when we first changed his cot in to a bed that he wouldn't like it, but he loves it. I wouldn't worry about him getting out of the bed, especially if he can walk.
Sammi
xxx