When they go, they go pretty fast.

When you take off, does it take the clutch longer to engage?

Can you still pop the clutch and get some wheel-spin? or (chirp)?

There are multiple parts of a clutch, the two main things that usually go are the throw-out bearing. (that's probably what you are hearing)

and the clutch plates.

If you've got a throw-out bearing going out, the clutch will be ok for a while unless it siezes. But if you have someone rebuild it, have them do the entire clutch, because they're going to charge you for the labor of tearing it down to get to the bearing anyway.