I've got a Nikon D90, but have used Canon, and both make very capable cameras with a wide variety of lens options. One thing to keep in mind, once you select a brand, be prepared to stick to it. Nikon lenses won't work on a Canon and vice-versa.

I've got the 70-300 Nikon lens with VR. For me, it may be worth it. For you, your daughter, and your budget, probably not. Without the VR, you can save a bunch of money, and for most wildlife photography, you really need a tripod or at least a monopod. Most people can only hold steady enough to shoot with a shutter speed of roughly equivalent to 1/zoom. For instance, with a 300mm zoom lens maxed out to the full 300, most people can hold steady enough to shoot at about 1/300th shutter speed. Most wildlife shots will take a longer exposure for that, especially at slower ISO speeds.

Regardless of the zoom, you've still got to get close. With a 300mm zoom, you still have to get close. You'll get decent pictures of larger animals at up to 300 ft away, but you really have to be within about 100 feet to get the really good shots.