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Child's realm, perhaps, yearning to enter awareness (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kitchen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'child's realm' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'yearning to enter awareness' is the wordplay.
'yearning' becomes 'itch' (I've seen this in another clue).
'to enter' is an insertion indicator.
'awareness' becomes 'ken' (I've seen this before).
'itch' put within 'ken' is 'KITCHEN'.

'perhaps' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for kitchen that I've seen before include "Site of 4 [GAS OVEN]" , "Where heat's to be stood" , "Room with proverbial heat" , "Cookhouse" , "food preparation area" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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