Spotted returning without daughter's requirements (5)
I believe the answer is:
needs
'requirements' is the definition.
('need' can be a synonym of 'requirement')
'spotted returning without daughter's' is the wordplay.
'spotted' becomes 'seen' (I've seen this before**).
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'without' indicates putting letters inside ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'daughter' becomes 'd'.
'seen' reversed gives 'nees'.
'nees' enclosing 'd' is 'NEEDS'.
(Other definitions for needs that I've seen before include "shopping-list, say" , "Things that are wanted" , "What is required" , "Can't do without" , "Calls for" .)