Tot has to stick around to get protection (8)
I believe the answer is:
cladding
'protection' is the definition.
(cladding is a kind of protection)
'tot has to stick around' is the wordplay.
'tot has' becomes 'add' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to stick' becomes 'cling' ('cling' can be a synonym of 'stick').
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'add' put inside 'cling' is 'CLADDING'.
'to get' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cladding that I've seen before include "protective coat" , "protective material" , "Outside wall covering" , "Exterior covering" , "Protective covering on a building" .)