Crossword Genius

Place for kids to play, or sit around with parents at first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sandpit

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'place for kids to play' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'sit around with parents at first' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'with' becomes 'and'.
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'parents' is 'p'.
'and'+'p'='andp'
'sit' placed around 'andp' is 'SANDPIT'.

'or' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sandpit that I've seen before include "Play area for small children" , "Excavation for children to play in" , "Child's play area" , "Children's play area - it'd snap (anag)" , "children may play here" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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