Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1437578
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		61,808,804

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$123,661	$87,886
Accounts receivable—net	74,709	83,066
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	42,921	39,147
Current deferred income taxes	12,858	13,059
Total current assets	254,149	223,158
Fixed assets—net	396,626	398,947
Goodwill	1,087,479	1,095,738
Other intangibles—net	398,262	406,249
Deferred income taxes	0	580
Other assets	16,998	16,404
Total assets	2,153,514	2,141,076
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	9,550	9,550
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	112,237	116,425
Deferred revenue	132,355	133,048
Other current liabilities	18,334	20,400
Total current liabilities	272,476	279,423
Long-term debt	910,089	911,627
Deferred rent and related obligations	43,396	43,105
Other long-term liabilities	26,425	23,401
Deferred revenue	5,204	5,525
Deferred income taxes	130,473	127,036
Total liabilities	1,388,063	1,390,117
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 475,000,000 shares authorized; 61,810,340 and 61,534,802 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	62	62
Additional paid-in capital	1,091,934	1,083,091
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-38,570	-21,687
Accumulated deficit	-287,975	-310,507
Total stockholders’ equity	765,451	750,959
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,153,514	$2,141,076

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized	475,000,000	475,000,000
Common stock, issued	61,810,340	61,534,802
Common stock, outstanding	61,810,340	61,534,802

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$350,440	$332,155
Cost of services	263,832	255,006
Gross profit	86,608	77,149
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,845	35,404
Amortization of intangible assets	6,922	7,734
Income from operations	42,841	34,011	[1]
Interest income	38	15
Interest expense	-10,069	-8,742
Income before income taxes	32,810	25,284
Income tax expense	-10,278	-9,236
Net income	$22,532	$16,048
Earnings per common share:
Common stock-basic (usd per share)	$0.36	$0.24
Common stock-diluted (usd per share)	$0.35	$0.24
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Common stock-basic (shares)	61,682,964	65,407,851
Common stock-diluted (shares)	63,189,367	67,209,378
[1]	(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income from operations includes secondary offering expenses of $0.6 million which has been allocated to full service center-based care.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$22,532	$16,048
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-16,883	1,525
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-16,883	1,525
Comprehensive income	$5,649	$17,573

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$22,532	$16,048
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	19,386	19,615
Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs	848	753
Loss on foreign currency transactions	185	69
Non-cash revenue and other	-80	-80
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	114	292
Stock-based compensation	2,300	2,385
Deferred rent	967	780
Deferred income taxes	4,395	-88
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	8,180	19,353
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-4,267	3,995
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-6,912	-3,301
Deferred revenue	-241	826
Accrued rent and related obligations	-200	554
Other assets	-808	154
Other current and long-term liabilities	863	-9,714
Net cash provided by operating activities	47,262	51,641
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of fixed assets	-16,911	-14,291
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-1,086	0
Settlement of purchase price for prior year acquisitions	14	175
Net cash used in investing activities	-17,983	-14,116
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments of long-term debt	-2,388	-1,975
Purchase of treasury stock	-738	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options	4,210	3,985
Proceeds from issuance of restricted stock	3,864	4,709
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	3,072	1,858
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,020	8,577
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-1,524	47
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	35,775	46,149
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	87,886	29,585
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	123,661	75,734
NON-CASH TRANSACTION:
Fixed asset purchases recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,000	2,000
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash payments of interest	9,334	8,283
Cash payments of taxes	$11,503	$8,218

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres

Organization and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Organization—Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (“Bright Horizons” or the “Company”) provides workplace services for employers and families throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, and also in Puerto Rico, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and India. Workplace services include center-based child care, education and enrichment programs, elementary school education, back-up dependent care (for children and elders), before and after school care, college preparation and admissions counseling, tuition reimbursement program management, and other family support services.
	Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods presented. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
	Stock Offerings—On January 30, 2013, the Company completed an initial public offering (the "Offering”) and, after the exercise of the overallotment option on February 21, 2013, issued a total of 11.6 million shares of common stock. Subsequent to the Offering, on June 19, 2013, March 25, 2014, and December 10, 2014, certain of the Company’s shareholders completed the sale of 9.8 million, 7.9 million, and 8.0 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock in secondary offerings ("secondary offerings”). The Company did not receive proceeds from the sale of shares in the secondary offerings. The Company incurred $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 in relation to the secondary offerings in 2014, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company purchased 4.5 million of the shares sold in the December 10, 2014 secondary offering.
	As of March 31, 2015, investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital Partners, LLC held approximately 42.1% of our common stock.
	New Accounting Pronouncements—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is not permitted. On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a delay in the effective date of this ASU for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. As a result, the proposed new effective date for the Company will be January 1, 2018. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this standard to have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Full service				Back-up				Other				Total
		center-based				dependent				educational
		care				care				advisory
										services
	Beginning balance at December 31, 2014	$	913,043			$	158,894			$	23,801			$	1,095,738
	Additions from acquisitions	949				—				—				949
	Effect of foreign currency translation	(9,208		)						—				(9,208		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	904,784			$	158,894			$	23,801			$	1,087,479
	The Company also has intangible assets, which consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Weighted average		Cost				Accumulated				Net carrying
		amortization period						amortization				amount
	31-Mar-15
	Definite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships	14.5 years		$	398,762			$	(186,818	)		$	211,944
	Trade names	8.1 years		5,478				(2,248		)		3,230
	Non-compete agreements	5 years		53				(45		)		8
				404,293				(189,111		)		215,182
	Indefinite-lived intangibles:
	Trade names	N/A		183,080				—				183,080
				$	587,373			$	(189,111	)		$	398,262
		Weighted average		Cost				Accumulated				Net carrying
		amortization period						amortization				amount
	31-Dec-14
	Definite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships	14.5 years		$	400,097			$	(180,900	)		$	219,197
	Trade names	8.1 years		5,772				(2,177		)		3,595
	Non-compete agreements	5 years		54				(44		)		10
				405,923				(183,121		)		222,802
	Indefinite-lived intangibles:
	Trade names	N/A		183,447				—				183,447
				$	589,370			$	(183,121	)		$	406,249
	The Company estimates that it will record amortization expense related to intangible assets existing as of March 31, 2015 as follows over the next five years (in thousands):
		Estimated
		amortization
		expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	19,965
	2016	$	25,527
	2017	$	24,636
	2018	$	23,716
	2019	$	22,909

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	ACQUISITIONS
	As part of the Company’s growth strategy to expand through strategic and synergistic acquisitions, the Company has made the following acquisitions in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014. The goodwill resulting from these acquisitions arises largely from synergies expected from combining the operations of the businesses acquired with our existing operations, as well as from benefits derived from the assembled workforce acquired.
	2015 Acquisitions
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company acquired one business that operates one center in the United Kingdom for cash consideration of $1.1 million, which was accounted for as a business combination. The Company recorded goodwill of $0.9 million related to the full service center-based care segment, which will be deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets of $0.2 million, consisting of customer relationships that will be amortized over 5 years were also recorded in relation to this acquisition. The allocation of purchase price consideration is based on preliminary estimates of fair value; such estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) as the Company gathers additional information regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The operating results for the acquired business are included in the consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition, which were not material to the Company's financial results.
	2014 Acquisitions
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired two businesses that operate five centers in the United States for cash consideration of $13.2 million, which were accounted for as business combinations. The Company recorded goodwill of $11.1 million related to the full service center-based care segment, which will be deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets of $2.1 million, consisting primarily of customer relationships, fixed assets of $0.9 million, and a working capital deficit of $0.9 million, were also recorded in relation to these acquisitions. The allocation of purchase price consideration is based on preliminary estimates of fair value; such estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) as the Company gathers additional information regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

Credit_Arrangements_and_Debt_O

Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations	CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS AND DEBT OBLIGATIONS
	Outstanding borrowings were as follows at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Term loans	$	936,812		$	939,200
	Deferred financing costs and original issue discount	(17,173		)	(18,023		)
	Total debt	919,639			921,177
	Less current maturities	9,550			9,550
	Long-term debt	$	910,089		$	911,627
	The Company's $1.1 billion senior credit facilities consist of $955.0 million in secured term loan facilities and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. In conjunction with a debt refinance in January 2013, $790.0 million in senior secured term loans were issued, with the subsequent issuance of $165.0 million in additional term loans in December 2014. The term loans and revolving credit facility mature on January 30, 2020 and 2018, respectively.
	The effective interest rate for the term loans was 4.09% at March 31, 2015 and the weighted average interest rate was 3.91% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no borrowings outstanding on the $100.0 million revolving credit facility at March 31, 2015 or during the three months then ended, and the full facility was available for borrowings. The weighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 5.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	The Company incurred financing fees of $12.7 million and original issue discount costs of $7.9 million in connection with the 2013 debt refinancing and $1.6 million and $1.7 million in connection with the 2014 financing. These fees are being amortized over the terms of the related debt instruments. Amortization expense of deferred financing costs and original issue discount costs in the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, which are included in interest expense.
	The future principal payments under the term loans at March 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015	$	7,163
	2016	9,550
	2017	9,550
	2018	9,550
	2019	9,550
	Thereafter	891,449
		$	936,812

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period.
	Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method, which requires the allocation of earnings to each class of common stock outstanding and to unvested share-based payment awards that participate equally in dividends with common stock, also referred to herein as unvested participating shares.
	The Company’s unvested share-based payment awards include unvested shares awarded as restricted stock awards at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The restricted stock awards generally vest at the end of three years. See Note 6 for a discussion of the unvested stock awards and issuances.
	Earnings per Share - Basic
	The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share using the two-class method for unvested participating shares (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	22,532		$	16,048
	Allocation of net income to common stockholders:
	Common stock	$	22,386		$	15,988
	Unvested participating shares	146			60
		$	22,532		$	16,048
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common stock	61,682,964			65,407,851
	Unvested participating shares	400,965			245,107
	Earnings per share:
	Common stock	$	0.36		$	0.24
	Earnings per Share - Diluted
	The Company calculates diluted earnings per share for common stock using the more dilutive of (1) the treasury stock method, or (2) the two-class method. The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings per share using the two-class method for unvested participating shares (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Earnings allocated to common stock	$	22,386		$	15,988
	Plus earnings allocated to unvested participating shares	146			60
	Less adjusted earnings allocated to unvested participating shares	(142		)	(58		)
	Earnings allocated to common stock	$	22,390		$	15,990
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common stock	61,682,964			65,407,851
	Effect of dilutive securities	1,506,403			1,801,527
		63,189,367			67,209,378
	Earnings per share:
	Common stock	$	0.35		$	0.24
	Options outstanding to purchase 0.4 million shares and 0.9 million shares of common stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, since their effect was anti-dilutive, which may be dilutive in the future.

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Treasury Stock
	On March 28, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $225.0 million of its common stock. Under this authorization, the Company repurchased a total of 5.0 million shares for $221.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2014, including 4.5 million shares that were purchased in a single block trade on December 10, 2014, from investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital Partners, LLC in conjunction with the sale of 8.0 million shares through an underwritten secondary offering to the public.
	On February 4, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of its common stock. The repurchase program has no expiration date and replaced the prior authorization. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 14,298 shares were repurchased for $0.7 million and, at March 31, 2015, $249.3 million is available for repurchase under this program. All repurchased shares have been retired.
	Equity Incentive Plan
	The Company has the 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which became effective on January 24, 2013, and allows for the issuance of equity awards of up to 5.0 million shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2015, there were approximately 3.0 million shares of common stock available for grant.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted options to purchase 322,950 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $47.09 per share and a requisite service period of five years, with 60% of the options vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 20% vesting on each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $14.07 per share. The fair value of each option to purchase common stock was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions: expected dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 30.0%; risk free interest rate of 1.46%; and expected life of options of 5.3 years.
	Restricted stock awards are also granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors as allowed under the Plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 163,200 shares of restricted stock were granted to certain senior managers and key employees, which vest at the end of three years and are accounted for as nonvested stock. The restricted stock was sold for a price equal to 50% of the fair value of the stock at the date of grant, or $23.68. Proceeds from the issuance of restricted stock are recorded as other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet until the earlier of vesting or forfeiture of the awards. Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards is calculated based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, which will be recognized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period. The unvested shares of restricted stock participate equally in dividends with common stock. At March 31, 2015, there were 422,725 unvested shares of restricted stock outstanding, which were legally issued at the date of grant but are not considered common stock issued and outstanding in accordance with accounting guidance until the requisite service period is fulfilled. All outstanding shares of restricted stock are expected to vest.
	Restricted stock units are awarded to members of the Board of Directors as allowed under the Plan. The awards allow for the issuance of a share of the Company's common stock for each vested unit upon the earliest of termination of service as a member of the Board of Directors or five years after the date of the award. At March 31, 2015, there were 6,066 units outstanding, which vested upon award.
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses and $0.2 million in cost of services during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	At March 31, 2015, there was $19.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods of approximately three years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES
	The Company's effective income tax rates were 31.3% and 36.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective income tax rate is based upon estimated income before income taxes for the year, the geographical composition of the income and estimated permanent tax adjustments. The effective income tax rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for various reasons, including discrete items such as settlement of foreign, Federal and State tax issues. The majority of the difference between the effective income tax rates was due to the treatment of certain permanent and temporary items adjusted in the first quarter of 2015 by a $1.3 million benefit.
	The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $0.7 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were $0.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next twelve months if certain tax matters settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this time frame, or, if the applicable statutes of limitations lapse. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $0.7 million, exclusive of interest and penalties.
	The Company and its domestic subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax as well as multiple state jurisdictions. U.S. Federal income tax returns are typically subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and the statute of limitations for Federal income tax returns is three years. The Company's filings for 2011 through 2014 are subject to audit based upon the Federal statute of limitations and the audit of the 2011 and 2012 tax years is expected to be settled in 2015. An audit of a subsidiary's filing for 2013 will begin in the second quarter of 2015.
	State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any Federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states. There were two state audits completed with no adjustments during the first quarter of 2015. As of March 31, 2015, there were two state income tax audits still in process and the tax years from 2010 to 2014 are subject to audit.
	The Company is also subject to corporate income tax at its subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, India, Canada, Ireland, and Puerto Rico. The Netherlands audit for the 2011 and 2012 tax years is expected to conclude in 2015. The tax returns for the Company's subsidiaries located in foreign jurisdictions are subject to examination for periods ranging from one to seven years.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The Company uses observable inputs where relevant and whenever possible.
	Level 1—Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.
	Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
	Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and long-term debt. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, other than long-term debt, approximates their carrying value. As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s long-term debt had a book value of $936.8 million and a fair value of $929.8 million based on quoted market prices for similar instruments and a model that considers observable inputs (level 2 inputs). As of December 31, 2014, the Company's long-term debt had a book value of $939.2 million and a fair value of $921.6 million based on quoted market prices for similar instruments and a model that considers observable inputs (level 2 inputs).
	Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company mitigates its exposure by maintaining its cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions of high credit standing. The Company’s accounts receivable, which are derived primarily from the services it provides, are dispersed across many clients in various industries with no single client accounting for more than 10% of the Company’s net revenue or accounts receivable. The Company believes that no significant credit risk exists at March 31, 2015.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Bright Horizons' workplace services are primarily comprised of full service center-based child care, back-up dependent care, and other educational advisory services. Full service center-based care includes the traditional center-based child care, preschool, and elementary education, which have similar operating characteristics and meet the criteria for aggregation. Full service center-based care derives its revenues primarily from contractual arrangements with corporate clients and from tuition. The Company’s back-up dependent care services consist of center-based back-up child care, in-home care, mildly ill care, and adult/elder care. The Company’s other educational advisory services consists of the remaining services, including college preparation and admissions counseling, tuition reimbursement program administration, and related consulting services, which do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate disclosure and are not material for segment reporting individually or in the aggregate. The Company and its chief operating decision makers evaluate performance based on revenues and income from operations.
	The assets and liabilities of the Company are managed centrally and are reported internally in the same manner as the consolidated financial statements; and, as a result, no additional information is produced or included herein.
		Full service		Back-up		Other		Total
		center-based		dependent		educational
		care		care		advisory
						services
		(In thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenue	$	300,334	$	41,601	$	8,505	$	350,440
	Amortization of intangible assets	6,597		181		144		6,922
	Income from operations	28,275		13,761		805		42,841
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Revenue	$	287,024	$	37,456	$	7,675	$	332,155
	Amortization of intangible assets	7,406		181		147		7,734
	Income from operations (1)	22,011		11,692		308		34,011
	-1	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income from operations includes secondary offering expenses of $0.6 million which has been allocated to full service center-based care.

Organization_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	In the opinion of the Company’s management, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods presented. The operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
		Full service				Back-up				Other				Total
		center-based				dependent				educational
		care				care				advisory
										services
	Beginning balance at December 31, 2014	$	913,043			$	158,894			$	23,801			$	1,095,738
	Additions from acquisitions	949				—				—				949
	Effect of foreign currency translation	(9,208		)						—				(9,208		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	904,784			$	158,894			$	23,801			$	1,087,479
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	The Company also has intangible assets, which consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Weighted average		Cost				Accumulated				Net carrying
		amortization period						amortization				amount
	31-Mar-15
	Definite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships	14.5 years		$	398,762			$	(186,818	)		$	211,944
	Trade names	8.1 years		5,478				(2,248		)		3,230
	Non-compete agreements	5 years		53				(45		)		8
				404,293				(189,111		)		215,182
	Indefinite-lived intangibles:
	Trade names	N/A		183,080				—				183,080
				$	587,373			$	(189,111	)		$	398,262
		Weighted average		Cost				Accumulated				Net carrying
		amortization period						amortization				amount
	31-Dec-14
	Definite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships	14.5 years		$	400,097			$	(180,900	)		$	219,197
	Trade names	8.1 years		5,772				(2,177		)		3,595
	Non-compete agreements	5 years		54				(44		)		10
				405,923				(183,121		)		222,802
	Indefinite-lived intangibles:
	Trade names	N/A		183,447				—				183,447
				$	589,370			$	(183,121	)		$	406,249
Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets	The Company estimates that it will record amortization expense related to intangible assets existing as of March 31, 2015 as follows over the next five years (in thousands):
		Estimated
		amortization
		expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	19,965
	2016	$	25,527
	2017	$	24,636
	2018	$	23,716
	2019	$	22,909

Credit_Arrangements_and_Debt_O1

Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding Borrowings	Outstanding borrowings were as follows at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Term loans	$	936,812		$	939,200
	Deferred financing costs and original issue discount	(17,173		)	(18,023		)
	Total debt	919,639			921,177
	Less current maturities	9,550			9,550
	Long-term debt	$	910,089		$	911,627
Future Principal Payments Under New Term Loan	The future principal payments under the term loans at March 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of 2015	$	7,163
	2016	9,550
	2017	9,550
	2018	9,550
	2019	9,550
	Thereafter	891,449
		$	936,812

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Earnings allocated to common stock	$	22,386		$	15,988
	Plus earnings allocated to unvested participating shares	146			60
	Less adjusted earnings allocated to unvested participating shares	(142		)	(58		)
	Earnings allocated to common stock	$	22,390		$	15,990
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common stock	61,682,964			65,407,851
	Effect of dilutive securities	1,506,403			1,801,527
		63,189,367			67,209,378
	Earnings per share:
	Common stock	$	0.35		$	0.24
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	22,532		$	16,048
	Allocation of net income to common stockholders:
	Common stock	$	22,386		$	15,988
	Unvested participating shares	146			60
		$	22,532		$	16,048
	Weighted average number of common shares:
	Common stock	61,682,964			65,407,851
	Unvested participating shares	400,965			245,107
	Earnings per share:
	Common stock	$	0.36		$	0.24

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Income from Operations by Segment	The assets and liabilities of the Company are managed centrally and are reported internally in the same manner as the consolidated financial statements; and, as a result, no additional information is produced or included herein.
		Full service		Back-up		Other		Total
		center-based		dependent		educational
		care		care		advisory
						services
		(In thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Revenue	$	300,334	$	41,601	$	8,505	$	350,440
	Amortization of intangible assets	6,597		181		144		6,922
	Income from operations	28,275		13,761		805		42,841
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Revenue	$	287,024	$	37,456	$	7,675	$	332,155
	Amortization of intangible assets	7,406		181		147		7,734
	Income from operations (1)	22,011		11,692		308		34,011
	-1	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income from operations includes secondary offering expenses of $0.6 million which has been allocated to full service center-based care.

Organization_and_Significant_A

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 10, 2014	Mar. 25, 2014	Jun. 19, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	11,600,000
Number of shares repurchased		14,298	5,000,000
Secondary Offering [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares issued				8,000,000	7,900,000	9,800,000
Proceeds from issuance of secondary offering						$0
Offering cost incurred							$600,000
Number of shares repurchased				4,500,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of common stock held by investment funds affiliated with sponsor		42.10%

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$1,095,738
Additions from acquisitions	949
Effect of foreign currency translation	-9,208
Ending balance	1,087,479
Full Service Center-based Care [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	913,043
Additions from acquisitions	949
Effect of foreign currency translation	-9,208
Ending balance	904,784
Back-up Dependent Care [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	158,894
Additions from acquisitions	0
Effect of foreign currency translation
Ending balance	158,894
Other Educational Advisory Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	23,801
Additions from acquisitions	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	$23,801

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Cost	$404,293	$405,923
Accumulated amortization	-189,111	-183,121
Net carrying amount	215,182	222,802
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Cost	587,373	589,370
Net carrying amount	398,262	406,249
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	14 years 5 months 24 days	14 years 5 months 24 days
Cost	398,762	400,097
Accumulated amortization	-186,818	-180,900
Net carrying amount	211,944	219,197
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	8 years 1 month 24 days	8 years 1 month 6 days
Cost	5,478	5,772
Accumulated amortization	-2,248	-2,177
Net carrying amount	3,230	3,595
Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period	5 years 0 months 0 days	5 years
Cost	53	54
Accumulated amortization	-45	-44
Net carrying amount	8	10
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Cost	183,080	183,447
Net carrying amount	$183,080	$183,447

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$19,965
2016	25,527
2017	24,636
2018	23,716
2019	$22,909

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Center	Business
	Business	Center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$1,087,479,000	$1,095,738,000
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired	1	2
Number of centers acquired	1	5
Cash consideration	1,100,000	13,200,000
Goodwill	900,000	11,100,000
Amortization period of Intangible assets	5 years
Intangible assets including customer relationship	200,000	2,100,000
Fixed assets acquired		900,000
Working capital deficit acquired		($900,000)

Credit_Arrangements_and_Debt_O2

Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations - Outstanding Borrowing (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Borrowings [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	$936,800	$939,200
Deferred financing costs and original issue discount	-17,173	-18,023
Total debt	919,639	921,177
Less current maturities	9,550	9,550
Long-term debt	910,089	911,627
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Borrowings [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	$936,812	$939,200

Credit_Arrangements_and_Debt_O3

Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate for the term loans	4.09%
Financing fees		$1,600,000	$12,700,000
Discount and issuance cost		1,700,000	7,900,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	500,000
Amortization expense of original issuance discount costs	400,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount	1,100,000,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount	955,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount		790,000,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	3.91%
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount		165,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount	100,000,000
Credit facility, principal amount	$100,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	5.00%

Credit_Arrangements_and_Debt_O4

Credit Arrangements and Debt Obligations - Future Principal Payments Under New Term Loan (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Term Debt Maturities Estimated Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal, Total	$936,800	$939,200
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Long Term Debt Maturities Estimated Repayments Of Principal [Line Items]
Future minimum payments remainder of 2015	7,163
Future minimum payments in 2016	9,550
Future minimum payments in 2017	9,550
Future minimum payments in 2018	9,550
Future minimum payments in 2019	9,550
Future minimum payments due thereafter	891,449
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal, Total	$936,812

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Stock Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Option outstanding to purchase (in shares)	400,000	900,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic Earnings Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	$22,532	$16,048
Weighted average number of common shares:
Weighted average number (shares)	61,682,964	65,407,851
Earnings (loss) per share:
Common stock-basic (usd per share)	$0.36	$0.24
Common Stock [Member]
Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	22,386	15,988
Weighted average number of common shares:
Weighted average number (shares)	61,682,964	65,407,851
Unvested Participating Shares [Member]
Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	$146	$60
Weighted average number of common shares:
Weighted average number (shares)	400,965	245,107

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation1

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Diluted Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Diluted earnings per share:
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	$22,532	$16,048
Earnings allocated to common stock	22,390	15,990
Weighted average number of common shares:
Common stock-basic (shares)	61,682,964	65,407,851
Common stock-diluted (shares)	63,189,367	67,209,378
Earnings (loss) per share:
Common stock-diluted (usd per share)	$0.35	$0.24
Common Stock [Member]
Diluted earnings per share:
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	22,386	15,988
Weighted average number of common shares:
Common stock-basic (shares)	61,682,964	65,407,851
Unvested Participating Shares [Member]
Diluted earnings per share:
Allocation of net income (loss) to common stock	146	60
Adjusted earnings	($142)	($58)
Weighted average number of common shares:
Common stock-basic (shares)	400,965	245,107
Stock Options [Member]
Weighted average number of common shares:
Dilutive effect (shares)	1,506,403	1,801,527

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 10, 2014	Mar. 25, 2014	Jun. 19, 2013	Feb. 04, 2015	Mar. 28, 2014	Jan. 24, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized stock repurchase amount								$250,000,000	$225,000,000
Number of shares repurchased		14,298		5,000,000
Number of shares issued	11,600,000
Shares repurchased				221,600,000
Payments for repurchase of common stock		738,000	0
Available for repurchase		249,300,000
Weighted average fair value of options granted (usd per share)		$14.07
Expected dividend yield		0.00%
Expected volatility		30.00%
Risk free interest rate		1.46%
Expected life of options		5 years 3 months 18 days
Total unrecognized compensation expense		19,900,000
Remaining requisite service period		3 years
2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for equity awards										5,000,000
Number of shares of common stock available for grant		3,000,000
Number of options granted		322,950
Weighted average price at time of grant (in dollars per share)		$47.09
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted		163,200
Restricted stock awards - vesting period		3 years
Restricted stock price as percentage of fair value		50.00%
Unvested shares of restricted stock outstanding		422,725
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted		6,066
Maximum [Member] | 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option vesting period		5 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum period after which awards can be issued		5 years
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total recorded stock-based compensation expense		2,100,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total recorded stock-based compensation expense		$200,000
Third Anniversary [Member] | 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		60.00%
Fourth and Fifth Anniversary [Member] | 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		20.00%
Secondary Offering [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased					4,500,000
Number of shares issued					8,000,000	7,900,000	9,800,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share Price		$23.68

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Effective income tax rates	31.30%	36.50%
Tax benefit	$1,300,000
Unrecognized income tax benefit	700,000
Interest and penalties accrued for income tax	900,000
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in uncertain tax positions	0
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in uncertain tax positions	$700,000
Federal [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statute of limitations	3 years
State [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of income tax audits in process	2
State [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statute of limitations	3 years
State [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statute of limitations	5 years
Foreign [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statute of limitations	1 year
Foreign [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statute of limitations	7 years

Fair_Value_Measures_Additional

Fair Value Measures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Customer
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Long Term Debt, Carrying Value	936,800,000	$939,200,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Long Term Debt, Fair Value	929,800,000	$921,600,000
Revenue [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%
Number of Customer Generating more than 10%	0
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Clients accounting for more than benchmark	0

Segment_Information_Income_fro

Segment Information - Income from Operations by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$350,440,000	$332,155,000
Amortization of intangibles	6,922,000	7,734,000
Income (loss) from operations	42,841,000	34,011,000	[1]
Full Service Center-based Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs		600,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Full Service Center-based Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	300,334,000	287,024,000
Amortization of intangibles	6,597,000	7,406,000
Income (loss) from operations	28,275,000	22,011,000	[1]
Operating Segments [Member] | Back-up Dependent Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	41,601,000	37,456,000
Amortization of intangibles	181,000	181,000
Income (loss) from operations	13,761,000	11,692,000	[1]
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Educational Advisory Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	8,505,000	7,675,000
Amortization of intangibles	144,000	147,000
Income (loss) from operations	$805,000	$308,000	[1]
[1]	(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2014, income from operations includes secondary offering expenses of $0.6 million which has been allocated to full service center-based care.