Wet wipes, liquid soap, paper towels and printer paper run out in every group long before the next delivery. Asking parents to help is normal; the difficulty is wording it so that it reads as a request and not as a demand.
Copy and adapt: “Dear parents, the group has run out of wet wipes and liquid soap. If it’s convenient, please bring a pack this week. It’s entirely optional and there’s no need to report back. Thank you for helping!”
What the Kindergarten and School Must Provide
Russia’s Education Act (273-FZ) defines supervision and care in kindergartens as including household care and children’s hygiene (Article 2) — this is what the parental fee pays for — and prohibits including educational-programme costs in that fee (Article 65). Schools provide textbooks and learning materials free of charge (Article 35). In practice supplies still run short, and parents often top them up. That is fine as long as it stays voluntary; see what schools must provide for free.
Templates
- Kindergarten teacher, start of the year: “Dear parents, the group would really benefit from wet and dry wipes, paper towels and paper cups. This isn’t a required list — if you can, bring one or two packs of your choice by the end of September.”
- School teacher, printer paper: “Dear parents, the class needs A4 paper for worksheets. If possible, send one ream with your child — it lasts the whole class a month. Optional, thank you to everyone who helps.”
- Parent committee, shared list: “To avoid ten packs of wipes and no soap, please add your child’s name next to an item in the pinned message: wet wipes — 5, tissues — 5, paper towels — 6 rolls, liquid soap — 3, A4 paper — 2 reams. Entirely voluntary.”
- One bulk purchase instead: “Rather than bringing things one pack at a time, I suggest buying everything in one go — no duplicates. If you agree, 250 RUB by Friday; I’ll post the receipt.”
- Gentle reminder: “Thanks to everyone who brought wipes and paper! We are still short of paper towels and soap. If you can, bring some this week — no need to report back.”
What Not to Write
- “Everyone must bring…” — a request that becomes an obligation.
- Lists of families who have or have not brought something.
- Hints that a child’s treatment depends on it.
- Comparisons with “the other group, where everyone brings”.
If You Buy with Pooled Money
For a bulk purchase, log it in a DeliBabki group with a photo of the receipt: parents open the link and see what was bought and for how much. Items brought in person need no accounting at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do parents have to buy wipes, soap and paper for a kindergarten group?
No. Under Russia’s Education Act, hygiene and household care for children are part of supervision and care (Article 2), which families already pay a parental fee for, and materials for the educational programme are provided by the institution itself. So any such request can only be a request: bring something if you can, with no ultimatums and no list of who did not.
How do you ask parents tactfully to buy something for the class?
A short, specific list, the words “if you can”, a comfortable deadline and “no need to report back”. Say thank you afterwards. Avoid “everyone must”, names and comparisons with other groups.
Is it better to bring supplies or collect money?
For a one-off need, bring items from a shared list so nothing is duplicated. For a regular stock, collect a small sum and buy everything at once — with a receipt and a report in the chat.
Can a teacher ask parents to buy supplies?
A teacher can ask for help but cannot require it, and should not collect money personally. Purchases paid with parents’ money are best run by the parent committee.
A Receipt Every Parent Can See
Create a free group, log the bulk purchase with a receipt photo and share the link in the parent chat.
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