Word before "peace" or "child" (5)
I believe the answer is:
inner
'word before peace or child' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "Not quite bull's-eye" , "Hidden" , "Annulus nearest bull" , "Private, not expressed" , "Essential - most private" .)