The Ministry is correct in enforcing such a regulation. Every child should be safely supervised. No difference from way back when to now. Parents unwilling or incapable of providing this should run the risk of it becoming public record. This would allow for the Ministry to take appropriate action in the aid of a child's welfare more quickly. 
The author of this sad missive trots out visions of overbearing busybodies and scaredy cats, freak outs replete with administrative nose pokers, & anonymous
public morals keepers. Mr. Crook is characterized as a thoroughly modern parent
tracking his children,brimming with maturity and wherewithall, packing emergency cell phones all the while marching towards greater independence.. Free range parenting at it's best... In opposition to this you allude to the modern overprotective helicopter parent as infantilizing and smothering paranoids all in cahoots with well meaning authorities who appear as narrow minded twits setting terrible precedent.