Sit around and essentially respect this play place (7)
I believe the answer is:
sandpit
'this play place' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'sit around and essentially respect' is the wordplay.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'essentially' indicates the central letters.
The middle of 'respect' is 'p'.
'and'+'p'='andp'
'sit' enclosing 'andp' is 'SANDPIT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sandpit that I've seen before include "area for kids to play in" , "Children's play area - it'd snap (anag)" , "Playground feature" , "Excavation for children to play in" , "Child's play area" .)