Since ur daughter joined the photography club, she must have some interest in photography in the 1st place. Money aside, based on my personal experience, D90 is a good choice. I started with D5000 but sold it off within 2 months. That shows how fast things grows when u have an interest in things. Get her the D90 for the following reasons:
1) D90 can use more wider range of lenses. Whoever tell u they will not need additional lens is bluffing themselves. D5000 or D3000 can only use the newer AFS lens and not the older AFD lenses.
2) Kids nowadays got peer pressure, please dun let them ended up feeling inferior (although not necessary superior) with a entry level.
3) Kids learn fast nowadays compared to our time. She will outgrow a entry level sooner than u expect. Then wat? Buy another one?
4) D90 weighs less than 100g more than D5000. My cousin-in-law (a lady) uses D90 with battery pack, SB800 Flash, 18-200mm lens also like that. When she is tired, she will put her hands down.
5) D90 function is not difficult to use. You just need to read up the manual. Since she is in a photography CCA, I am sure her peers will guide her along, exchange pointers etc. Like I said, kids learn very fast. They can beat u in a new computer game using the same amount of time for u and them to learn it.
6) Technical details, I will spare it as I believe u would know D90 compared to D5000. Can go to kenrockwell's website to read the comparison also. D90 got bigger LCD compared to D5000 and higher resolution. Yes, this is very important! I have verified with my own experience.
7) Finally, which brand? True, there's Pentax, Sony, Canon, Nikon. You brand conscious? Your daughter brand conscious? She like Ken Watanabe and Anvril something, or she like the Black Horse? Ask her instead of choosing for her as she is the one that will be slugging it to run around.
8) In a nutshell, my advise is, since she is in a club, there's potential for her to grow and improve. Do not limit what she can do with a entry level but get her a decent set till she outgrow it. Unless u wanna spend money, then thats a different story. Its like buying a musical instrument. Dun go for cheap entry level if u can afford an intermediate one. The experience will be totally different. An intermediate musical instrument sounds way much better even for the worst player.
Happy shopping!
Disclaimer: All the above points are totally my personal view and all bros here can totally disagree with me. Please dun flame me. Thank you.