I often hear on messageboards about these so-called price fixers who all meet up together and agree to charge the exactly same fees to poor, ripped off parents.
Every time I've probed a little further, it transpires that this is just someone's impression. In one case, it turned out to be a childminding Network that never even arranged fees: it was just a parent who failed to understand what a Network really was. The same goes for real life: I've never known childminders to get together and fix their fees. It's an effort to get them all together at the group meetings at all. In all the years I've been a committee member, I can confirm that fixing of fees has never formed any part of our agendas. The most we ever get is a new childminder tentatively asking how much we charge and - get this! - they're all different.
Nor have I ever attended a childminding support group or Network that ever dictated or agreed on how fees should be charged.
So I feel it's grossly unfair, even libellous, to accuse childminding groups of acting illegally. Saying that childminding groups have the opportunity to do it is no proof at all. No doubt they also have the opportunity to arrange an armed bank robbery or set up their very own male escort service (that'll get you all to the next meeting, won't it?! 
). My neighbour left his keys in his car the other day and I had the opportunity to nick his car - it doesn't make me a joyrider.
Childminders are self-employed. They set fees and rates according to their own businesses. They're in the unusual position of providing a service for several clients simultaneously, therefore the holiday situation isn't as straightforward as for other self-employed professions. It's entirely up to them whether they charge full fee, part-fee or no fee and whether or not they offer other concessions. It's up to the parents to sign up for this service if they want it. Some parents do prefer to pay up front for the holidays rather than have it hidden away in a higher hourly rate. They see this as fairer.
If we all charge exactly the same way, it takes away choice for parents. I imagine that's why the NCMA has changed its stance because not even the NCMA has a right to influence our charging policies as individuals.
G1nger, there isn't a normal rate or policy for holidays. We're all different so you can theoretically pick the best deal for your situation. If you're not happy, you need to keep looking.