Haha, I like your analogy playfelt. I DO have my contracts renew annually on November 1st. The reason I have the families resign once a year is because I'm constantly learning new things and running into new situations so I am able to add a new clause or amend anything a bit for the next year.

I am raising my rates this year for the first time in 3 years and I have told the parents that it is because of rising food costs and the cost of living in general. I don't think anyone can argue with that!

Starshine, if I were you I would send out a letter about October so that you are giving 60 days notice letting the parents know that you will be asking them to resign contracts at a new rate on Jan. 1st, if that's the date you choose. Personally, I chose Nov. 1st because there is way too much going on for all of us on Jan. 1st!