Starting point around small resting place (5)
I believe the answer is:
roost
'resting place' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'starting point around small' is the wordplay.
'starting point' becomes 'root' (root is a kind of point. I am not sure about the 'starting' bit.).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'root' going around 's' is 'ROOST'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roost that I've seen before include "Place where birds rest" , "Hen's resting place" , "residence" , "Perch for a sleeping bird" , "Thin paper" .)