Word before "circle" or "child" (5)
I believe the answer is:
inner
'word before circle or child' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "Nearer to the centre, deeper" , "Ring next to the bullseye" , "personal" , "pretty good shot" , "just missing the gold" .)